The Port of Vancouver USA has announced the recipients of its Community Fund aimed at helping projects that meet the port’s mission of economic development, workforce training and tourism. The port will provide $5,000 in funds to the following projects and programs in 2022:

  • Clark College Foundation – The foundation will receive $1,000 from the port for the college’s International Day activities. The annual fall event celebrates international, cultural and educational exchange, and promotes understanding and inclusivity. The event supports the port’s goals of connection to the world as well as goals of recruiting and retaining a talented and diverse workforce.
  • Vancouver Farmers Market – The market will receive $2,500 for a vendor training program supporting small business owners who experience barriers to entrepreneurship. The program will provide free training on how to become a market vendor, education about methods of obtaining loans and grants and will offer free booth space.
  • Columbia Play Project – This program will receive $1,500 from the port to support its at-home play kits that emphasize STREAM education – science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math. The “Welcome to the Ecosystem” kits focus on the Columbia River and feature animals that are a part of a healthy ecosystem. 

Staff received requests for 2022 totaling $10,500 and chose those that best met the port’s Strategic Plan goals and port’s overall mission. The Community Fund was launched in January 2020 and in its inaugural year assisted three projects that built stormwater treatment boxes at iTech Preparatory Academy at the Washington State University Vancouver campus; assisted with Clark College’s International Day activities and international business panel; and taught skills in the construction trades at Hudson’s Bay High School. 

“The Community Fund has been an extremely rewarding program for the port,” said Community Relations Manager Julie Rawls who administers the fund. “All the organizations we have worked with have produced incredible projects for the city and for students. We congratulate all the organizations receiving funds in 2022 and look forward to seeing their projects be successful,” Rawls added.

Several ports in Washington state operate community funds and the port drew from that expertise in developing its own guidelines. Port of Vancouver’s program supports its Strategic Plan goal of: Pursuing opportunities to share port resources with community partners to advance shared goals. The port will solicit applications for the 2023 round of funding later this year.