Port’s annual $10,000 Community Fund celebrates 2023 beneficiary success stories, now seeking projects for 2024 by Jan. 22 deadline

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Port of Vancouver USA announced today that its Community Fund is once again seeking applications for up to $10,000 in funds for projects focused on economic development, workforce training and tourism.

Each year, the port’s Community Fund distributes money to programs located within the port district via a competitive application process. Applications for 2024 are now open, with a January 22, 2024 — 5:00pm deadline to apply. Applications and additional information can be found on the port’s Community Fund webpage, located here.

“The Port of Vancouver is committed to providing economic benefit for this region, and we’re impressed by the work of so many here who share our mission. We created the Community Fund as a springboard to help local organizations do more, and we’re excited to see what dynamic projects apply for the funds in 2024,” said the port’s Chief External Affairs Officer, Ryan Hart.

2023 Successes: More people cross finish lines, gain construction skills and seize entrepreneurship opportunities

During the November 28 port commission meeting, the Vancouver Farmers Market presented a summary of how it used funds in 2023 to provide more opportunities to a wider variety of vendors. The other two 2023 recipients highlighted their efforts at commission meetings earlier in the fall.

 

Vancouver Farmers Market received $2,500 to continue its Market Assistance Program (MAP) which provides free booth space and training to non-traditional and marginalized entrepreneurs. MAP participant vendors generated $43,000 in sales during 28 selling days, and five of them subsequently committed to becoming year-round vendors at the market.

 

 

The WHY Community received $2,500 from the port in 2023. WHY Community organizes races that have between $500,000 — $1 million economic impact on the local economy from each event. WHY used its portion of the Community Fund to provide free registrations for children, veterans, cancer survivors and other at-risk groups. 

 

 

The Construction Trades Program at Hudson’s Bay High School received $5,000 from the port toward construction projects. Starting with only rough drawings, students gained valuable planning and construction skills as they framed, poured slab and completed every step of building a tiny home and chicken coop throughout the school year.