Michael Lynch announced Tuesday that his father, the late philanthropist Ed Lynch, left $2 million to sustain operations at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. The Vancouver-based foundation helps people in Southwest Washington plan charitable giving.
Ed and Dollie Lynch launched the Administrative Endowment in 1985 with a $100,000 gift. It was seed money that got the Community Foundation off the ground after Mary Granger established it. This was during an economic recession when more emphasis was put on private charitable giving to satisfy local needs.
Michael Lynch announced the gift at the foundation’s annual luncheon at the Hilton Vancouver Washington and also accepted the Catalyst Award for Philanthropic Innovation given posthumously to his father.
“We are here to celebrate a spectacularly successful life of giving,” said investor David Nierenberg, who presented the award. “When (Ed Lynch) saw a hole, he filled it. … He was a high-impact, low-ego man.”
Helping the Fort Vancouver National Trust acquire The Academy, one of the oldest buildings in the state, was one of Ed Lynch’s last achievements before he died May 10, 2015, at age 94. He supported many other organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington, Clark College, the Clark County Food Bank and the PeaceHealth Southwest Washington Medical Center Foundation.
Other late philanthropists were recognized at the luncheon. The Community Foundation is looking to “pass the torch” on to younger, media-savvy donors who can build upon the charitable foundation set by people like Ed and Dollie Lynch.
The Community Foundation is focused on disrupting the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Keynote speaker Chris Grumm spoke about how people merging their passions with opportunity and investment can do just that.
Grumm, a nonprofit consultant, shared quotes about passion. Her favorite: “Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night.”
She grew up in a household where giving was expected and no gift was seen as too small. Rather, the smaller gifts that people can give collectively add up to make a difference.
Longview couple Pauline and Bob Kirchner have passed their love of charitable giving on to their children and grandchildren, said Kirk Raboin, chief administrative officer at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center.
The Kirchners were named Philanthropists of the Year for their support of organizations such as the PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation, Lower Columbia College, St. Vincent de Paul of Longview and Community Health Partners Free Clinic.
“They have created the change they want to see in their corner of the world,” Raboin said.
Bob Kirchner accepted, saying: “Please keep it up. Don’t quit. The poor in our community are counting on us.”
Poverty hasn’t improved in Cowlitz County over the last few years, and many people are struggling to make ends meet. An estimated 22.5 percent of the population lives below the poverty level, according to 2014 Census data.
The Columbian is a media sponsor of The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington.
