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Thursday, March 29, 2007
By KELLY ADAMS, Columbian staff writer

Longtime Vancouver philanthropists Ed and Mary Firstenburg have donated $1 million to Innovative Services NW.

The gift brings the total for the organization's capital campaign to $4.6 million. A new $6.7 million building is planned near the Westfield Vancouver mall.

The contribution, the largest from a single donor, will help leverage an additional $1.9 million in state funding, according to information released Wednesday. If awarded, the state money will bring the total to $6.5 million.

An additional grant application has been submitted for the remainder of the $6.7 million, said Michael Wilson, vice president of development, which would pave the way for construction.

Innovative Services NW has been in the community for 44 years and provides services to children and adults with disabilities.

Ed Firstenburg is the founder and former chairman of First Independent Bank.

"Innovative Services NW has been a client of First Independent for the past 43 years, so essentially, we grew up together. Mary and I feel privileged to make this investment," Ed Firstenburg said in a news release.

The Firstenburgs will be honored Saturday at the Caring Heart Awards dinner.

"We are so grateful for the Firstenburgs' commitment to philanthropy in our community and especially for this gift. Many people rely on our services every day, and we will now be able to help them lead an even better life," said Bob Gaylor, CEO of Innovative Services NW.

The $1 million donation is the latest in a long series of charitable contributions made by the Firstenburg family. A new patient tower at Southwest Washington Medical Center, a new student commons at Washington State University Vancouver, and the Firstenburg Community Center have all been built with money from the family.


Kelly Adams can be contacted at 360-759-8016 or   kelly.adams@columbian.com