VANCOUVER — The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation recently awarded the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools a $125,000 grant, which will be used to provide direct support for students and families living in poverty as well as program support for early learning, mentoring, social and emotional health supports, enrichment and engagement activities.
“The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is honored to be in a position to support our community through the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation Clark County Fund,” said Timi Marie Russin, Cowlitz Tribal Foundation manager. “We are committed to education and look forward to learning how the grant was used in serving students. We honor your good work and are happy to work together in serving others.”
Vancouver Public Schools serves approximately 22,000 students in 37 schools and programs. More than 50 percent of students are from families with incomes that quality them for the free or reduced-price meal program.
The tribe’s investment will play a critical role in providing students with basic needs such as housing and utility assistance, medical and vision referrals, clothing, food and other supports.
In the past three years, the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation Clark County Fund has contributed more than $325,000 in support of the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools’ mission. Since 2017, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe has donated approximately $28 million within Clark County and the state of Washington.
