As I reflect on 2024, I feel immense pride in the transformative strides our Foundation has made in Washington County. Over the past year, we have continued to build on the momentum, sustaining meaningful growth in assets, expanding our programs, and deepening our impact across the region.
This year marked a turning point in the history of the Washington County Community Foundation with the retirement of our long-serving President & CEO, Betsie Trew. For more than two decades, Betsie led the Foundation with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening our community. Under her leadership, the WCCF grew from modest beginnings to more than $59 million in assets, established a reputation for excellence in community philanthropy, and launched initiatives that will benefit Washington County for generations to come. Even as we honor the past, we continue to look ahead with optimism and drive, supported by our dedicated team, board, and new President & CEO, Aliesha Walz.
In 2024, we awarded $3.6 million in grants, including funding for capacity-building and lifelong learning. The Community PILLARS program welcomed its second class, equipping nonprofit leaders with essential knowledge in governance, finance, fundraising, and more.
We are also proud to share that we surpassed our goals for Community Snapshot, our online needs assessment platform featuring more than 100 local nonprofits. Engagement grew significantly in 2024, with nearly 3,000 unique visitors exploring the site. Most importantly, donors directed over $100,000 from donor-advised funds to address urgent community needs identified through the platform.
Our flagship giving initiative, WCCF Gives, once again united thousands of donors in support of more than 100 local charities, resulting in over $1.8 million in grants. We are excited to introduce a new giving platform in 2025 that will offer enhanced features and create even more opportunities for nonprofits of all sizes to benefit from this impactful event.
Each grant, whether large or small, strengthens the fabric of a more vibrant Washington County.
Today, we stand on a foundation stronger than ever, financially resilient, programmatically robust, and deeply connected to our community. With the continued generosity of donors, support from our new CEO, guidance from our Board, and the dedicated team who make this work possible, we are well-positioned to carry the mission forward.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your trust, engagement, and partnership make our shared impact possible.
With sincere appreciation,
Michael S. Anderson, CPA
Chairman of the Board