The Project Neighborly Fund is another way to help fund these projects without choosing a specific project to fund. Project Neighborly invites ideas to, you guessed it, foster neighborliness. Rural or urban, event or art installation, the possibilities are endless.

Whatcom Community Foundation Fiscal Sponsor for Latino Advocacy & Leadership Association - Whatcom (LALA-W) | Expanding the Dream: Connecting to/with the Latine Community

Cornwall Crawl
A summer block party, hosted by the culturally rich businesses of the 1200 block of Cornwall Avenue in downtown Bellingham will build community through art and performance. New businesses on this block have added vitality to a relatively unexplored part of downtown. These activities will inspire our community to connect with each other by sharing our creativity and stories.

Fiscal Sponsor for Whatcom Artist Studio Tour
The Whatcom Artist Studio Tour (WAST) brings hundreds of neighbors together in more than 30 locations across Whatcom County during the first two weekends of October in a celebration of local art. It also produces four gallery exhibitions between June and November across Whatcom County showcasing local artists, and provides ongoing year-round promotion through its website and social media.

Building Community and Confidence Through Therapeutic ART Groups
Artistic Recovery Therapies' (ART) Therapeutic ART Groups is a free weekly program offered to Whatcom County residents. Led by a credentialed therapist, ART Groups bring people together to explore creativity, learn art skills and build community, while working on projects together. Our participant-artists come from a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences, but all enjoy creating as a group.

Fiscal Sponsor for Community Chai and Dye
This project centers on a mobile cart that contains an indigo dye vat and large cauldron of chai. People are invited to gather for a tea while learning about the natural dye plant indigo, experiment with shibori and tie dye techniques, create a "wish for the community" flag, and dye their own worn textiles. The flags will be collected and displayed around the cart encouraging participants to engage and inspire conversation.

Fiscal Sponsor for the Seedery | The Seedery Solstice Fest
The Seedery, a community land project, proposes a solstice arts festival to bring neighbors across Bellingham and Whatcom County together. The event celebrates Earth’s indomitable cycles and nourish new connections and collaborations across the communities of Whatcom county.

Japanese Garden Gate
We connect our Whatcom County neighborhoods with the world through our seven Sister Cities. The Japanese Garden Gate we will build in the Civic Center will create significant visual impact, physically draw people together around the structure to satisfy curiosity, impress, and spark conversation. This will strengthen local connections as well as connect us to the world.

Expanding our Musical Reach
Community is our middle name, the Bellingham Community Chorus. The chorus is non-denominational, non-political, fully inclusive, without audition, welcoming women and men of all ages who want to sing together for fun. Singers rehearse weekly and present concerts twice a year, and would like to broaden our reach by offering several other community-oriented programs sprinkled throughout the year.

The Community Net Project: Connecting Communities, Protecting Oceans
Inspired by the collaborative spirit of the maritime industry, this project weaves together people from different backgrounds around our region’s working waterfront and sustainable seafood heritage. Through workshops and collaborative art installations, the project creates welcoming spaces where neighbors can engage in conversations about ocean conservation, maritime traditions and local food systems.

Eagle Scout Community Service Projects
The funds would provide financial assistance for Whatcom County Scouts completing community service projects on their way to pursuing Eagle Rank. Community Service is a key value to the Scouting America. The Eagle Service Project is an opportunity for a Scout to demonstrate their commitment to service, planning, development, and leadership.

Accessible Art Walk and Roll
Accessible Art Walk and Roll is an accessible art event featuring drawings, paintings, photos, books, and jewelry created by individuals with disabilities. This event is intended to showcase the immense talent of individuals with disabilities, and to expand the public's idea of the ways individuals with disabilities can create and contribute to their communities.

Fiscal Sponsor for Recovery Cafe Bellingham
Recovery Café will use the funds to sponsor a recovery coaching certification course for Recovery Cafe Bellingham members.

Adaptive Splash
Adaptive Splash is a weekly gathering that brings people of all abilities together on Bellingham Bay. In partnership with Cascade Connections, Max Higbee, and AIROW, the Community Boating Center provides kayaks, rowboats, and safety oversight while volunteers offer boat rides. Seasonal picnics foster deeper connections. This program builds confidence, independence, and a more inclusive community— one boat ride at a time.

Western Wednesday: First & Last Night Out
Western Wednesday: First Night Out will be a new quarterly series welcoming students to downtown Bellingham, helping them explore local businesses, build connections, and feel at home in their new community. Last Night Out aims to wrap up the school year with a lively street festival, celebrating students and strengthening the meaningful ties between Western's campus and downtown Bellingham.

Fiscal Sponsor for Kendall Senior Center
The Kendall Senior center opened in 2022 to connect Kendall Seniors to vital community services that help them stay healthy and independent. It has been maintained by volunteers who now want to expand the centers services. The Kendall Senior Center provides a place where community seniors can meet for food, fun, community resources and social interaction each week.

2025 Juneteenth Fathers day Carnival
Fatherhood the Foundation is holding its second annual Juneteenth & Fathers Day Family Fun Festival so that families can play together as a community without being financially burdened. The Festival includes sports activities, carnival games and prizes, and food at no cost, as well as live entertainment, lectures, hands on training and health and wellness booths and stations.

Ferndale Harvest Festival
Celebrate abundance and connection at Ferndale’s Harvest Festival! Building on last year’s success, this free event brings neighbors together with food, activities, and resources from Ferndale Community Services and other local groups. Enjoy a pumpkin giveaway, cultural demonstrations, arts and crafts, native plant giveaway, zucchini races and more! This grant will help keep the tradition growing.

Volunteer Mobilization Center 10-Year Anniversary and Resilience Game
The Volunteer Mobilization Center (VMC) proposes hosting two events fostering community and unveiling a new wildfire-evacuation board game focused on Whatcom County. In July 2025, VMC proposes to test playing the new game for VMC and associated folks. In fall 2025, VMC proposes to unveil this game to a wider audience of Whatcom’s emergency response community.

Latinos in Action: Empowering Leaders, Inspiring Futures
Latinos in Action empowers Ferndale High School students as mentors and literacy tutors for younger peers, fostering leadership, academic success, and cultural pride. Expanding this program into middle and elementary schools strengthens community connections, improves literacy, and provides role models. This grant funds transportation, enabling and inspiring students to lift up the next generation.

Foothills Food Bank Home Delivery Program Evaluation
Foothills Food Bank (FFB) will evaluate its home delivery program serving homebound seniors and community members with a disability in East Whatcom County. By funding an intern from Western Washington University to assess this vital service, FFB will expand its capacity to reach isolated neighbors with weekly nutritious food deliveries, fostering dignity and connection in our rural community.

Derby Day Racers at the Library
As work begins on transforming the space into a fully functional Express Library, the Friends of Birch Bay Library are continuing their community outreach efforts. They are launching four new programs designed to raise awareness about the library and engage local families. These programs will bring people of all ages together for fun, hands-on learning activities that encourage creativity, teamwork, and friendly competition — all while trying something new.

Fiscal Sponsor for Birch Bay Incorporation Association | HOA/Condo, Neighborhood Outreach
The Birch Bay Incorporation Association (BBIA) empowers 10,000+ residents by fostering connections and informed discussions on the possibility of cityhood. With this grant, BBIA expand outreach through individual meetings with HOAs, Condo Associations, and classic neighborhoods. The Birch Bay Quarterly Newspaper will further unite and inform to help shape a stronger, more connected community.

Coastal Salish Art at the Library
Friends of the Deming Library is seeking funds sufficient to commission the creation of a mural painted in the traditional Coast Salish art style by Lummi Nation artist Jason LaClair. The mural will be located in the Teen Rooms, visible throughout the library, and fill a wall space measuring approximately 7.5 ft x 16 ft.

Accessibility Farm Project
Growing Veterans' Accessibility Farm Project will convert a one-acre parcel of land into an ADA-compliant space with raised garden beds, widened, wheelchair-accessible paths and adaptive tools. This inclusive space will enable disabled people of all ages to experience the healing power of farming and create a connected community where everyone can grow and thrive.

Maple Falls Build Community Day
Habitat Whatcom will be hosting its yearly Build Community Day October 4, 2025. Build Community Day brings the community together to help homeowners with physical and financial limitations with external minor repairs in their home. For the first time, Habitat Whatcom will be working in the Maple Falls/Kendall area on projects such as fence repairs, general landscaping, wheelchair ramps and handrails.

Mural for Heart of Play Children's Museum
Heart of Play, a start-up children's museum, wants to bring together Coast Salish Artist Jason LaClair and children to create a vibrant, collaborative artwork. This mural will be in Heart of Play's future brick and mortar location, and will serve as a symbol of community, creativity, and joy. This grant will allow the organization to engage young minds, strengthen community bonds and provide an inspiring space for Whatcom County.

Amando a Mi Comunidad (Loving my Community)
Iglesia Sublime Amor is organizing an event for nonprofits to provide information on social services, education, finance, and recreation. With activities for children and food for all, the event focuses on immigrants, informing them about services, activities, and volunteer opportunities in Whatcom County. This grant will help enhance these efforts, making the community better, stronger, and more connected.

Fiscal Sponsor for CAST | Community Feed Program
CAST (Coffee and Sandwiches Together) brings together faith communities ranging from Catholics to the Red Cedar Zen community, and those with no faith affiliation, to do one thing: provide food, water, and a friendly face to anyone who needs it. CAST serves food four nights per week behind the Bellingham Public Library, and aspires to serve five nights a week; primary guests are unhoused.

Fiscal Sponsor for Health & Wellness Board | Building Resilience for a Healthier Lummi Island Community

Make.Shift x Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood

Community Outings with the Max Higbee Center
Community Outings with the Max Higbee Center (MHC) will connect individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and the general public. By expanding current opportunities and creating new ones, MHC members and the general public will have experiences that enhance well-being, a sense of belonging, and togetherness.

NAMI Whatcom Creativity for Coping
There are many studies that show how creativity can be a wonderful coping mechanism for folks with mental health challenges and conditions. This NAMI Whatcom project, developed by community members, will include a series of eight workshops led by peers for folks with mental health challenges. Mental health is integral to physical health: this is how we build a resilient community.

Fiscal Sponsor for A.R.T. Out Loud
The Art Out Loud workshop series provides opportunities to connect and create. These bonds are foundational to developing an environment in which participants are willing, committed, and equipped to support each other’s well-being, address emerging issues, and share resources. Together, these supports expand the capacity of the entire community to thrive for generations to come.

Fiscal Sponsor for Holi Festival | A Celebration of Color & Community
Holi, the Festival of Colors, celebrates spring, renewal, and togetherness. This vibrant event will bring people of all backgrounds together to celebrate at Boulevard Park through color throwing with powders, Indian music, live drummers, and traditional Indian food. It creates a welcoming space for joy, cultural appreciation, and community connection, fostering inclusivity and shared experiences.

Paper Whale Speaker Series
The Paper Whale Speaker Series is a monthly inspiring TEDx style event, dedicated to community members who are seeking deeper connection and inspiration to self, others, and place. To date, the Speaker Series has brought together nearly 2,000 community members together with two purposes: to inspire and connect. We strive to share a diversity of storytellers and uplift underrepresented voices.

Parent & Guardian Support Group Ages (0-6)
Bi-Weekly play time & support group at Peace Centers' event space for children aged 0-6. There is an enclosed space with toys and games for infants and toddlers, play area for preschoolers, and tables and chairs for art projects and games for older children. Snacks and organized activities will be provided; each weekly play time will be two hours and a parent educator will be available to answer questions

Circular Economy Skill-Share Series
RE Store unites people through a love of repurposed materials. To grow and deepen community connection, the organization would like to offer a summer series of free, skill-share workshops for Whatcom County neighbors. Local experts will teach how to renew and repurpose items. Participants will not only learn new skills but also connect with neighbors and find joy in transforming old items into something new.

Sacred Roots Wellness Retreat
The Sacred Roots Wellness Retreat gathers neighbors, families, and friends to weave connections through cedar, medicine, movement, and shared meals. Rooted in Indigenous wisdom, this gathering nourishes belonging and healing, strengthening our ties as we remember what it means to care for one another in the community.

Understanding Government Budgets Seminar Series
This seminar series offers four free, interactive learning sessions designed to demystify the complexities of city budgets and empower community members to engage in the budgeting process effectively. Each session will feature expert guest speakers who bring practical insights from their experiences in government, finance, and community advocacy.

Community Meal Project
Sent Ones Ministry provides a Community Meal that promotes a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for vulnerable groups to partake in a nutritious, restaurant-style meal. It is held every third Thursday of the month. We have seen over the past year that this meal is not just a place to eat but a place to congregate, visit, chat, and shop for basic living supplies. It has become clear it's necessary.

Wild Women Week
Shifting Gears’ 2026 Wild Women Week will invite Whatcom County women to gather next spring to celebrate and connect in honor of International Women's Day. Two weeks of events will provide women of diverse ages and life stages with shared recreational experiences, serving as common ground to ignite conversation and turn strangers into neighbors and friends!

Shunpike Fiscal Sponsor for Look Out Arts Quarry | Lookout LandArt Workshop Series
Lookout Arts Quarry will host an accessible land-based art workshop series, connecting diverse Whatcom County neighbors through creative skill-sharing. Participants will learn traditional crafts using local materials, culminating in a community art show that celebrates our shared environment and builds meaningful relationships between residents who might not otherwise meet.

Senior Center, Baby Steps
The South Fork Valley Community Association (SFVCA) has long wanted to offer regular gatherings for local seniors at the Van Zandt Community Hall. This grant will allow us to gauge local interest, find a volunteer coordinator, establish a contact list, determine the interests and preferences of local seniors, and hold the first few gatherings.

SPARK in the PARK
SPARK in the Park offers free, hands-on science pop-ups in Bellingham, aimed at igniting curiosity and breaking down barriers to science education in Whatcom County. Hosted by the SPARK Museum in partnership with local organizations, this program provides an accessible alternative to traditional summer camps, fostering intergenerational learning and boosting science literacy for all.

Fiscal sponsor for Sunnyland Street Mural Project
This project creates a street mural at the Ellis and North Street intersection. Building on a similar 2024 project, it aims to deepen neighbor relationships, elicit neighborhood pride & identity, calm traffic and improve safety, and beautify a patch of bare asphalt. An artist from the Paper Whale network will be selected via a "request for proposals" to design the art and neighbors will paint!

Sumas Library Freedge: Expanding Food Access through Partnerships
Sustainable Connections seeks funding to expand our Freedge network to the Sumas Library. Freedges are free community refrigerators stocked with donated fresh food and shelf-stable items. In partnership with Whatcom County Library System, the Sumas Library Freedge will decrease food waste, fight hunger, and create a welcoming space for people to come together and share fresh, healthy food.

Trans-Wa Lending Library Block Party & Library Card Drive
The Trans-Wa Lending Library is free, open to the public, and located in the Lettered Streets neighborhood. Our mission is to elevate and preserve the voices of gender expansive authors and create a refuge for queer and trans people in Whatcom County. The Block Party and Library Card Drive will raise awareness of our library and bring the community together in support of trans people.

Family Respite and Empowerment Events (FREE Events)
Unbridled Spirit wishes to offer five Family Respite & Empowerment Events directly benefiting 100 parents and children and 40 volunteers to build community and a sense of safety and hope as they connect with our volunteers, our animals and each other. The event celebrates how all of us have dreams that make our community great.

Community Bike Day
Vamos Outdoors Project’s mission is to “Build Community through Connection to the Land and Access to the Outdoors.” The annual Día Comunitario de Bicicletas builds community among Latine, Migrant, Multilingual, and Newcomer youth and families as we get everyone together to enjoy bikes, share tamales, and collaborate with local community organizations and resources.

WAC Art Workshop Series - Project Neighborly
The Whatcom Art Center opened in Fairhaven in the autumn of 2024 as a hub for artists to work, learn, teach, share, collaborate, and exhibit their work. WAG is requesting funding for a series of six free art workshops and 10 art focus group sessions that will bring hundreds of diverse community members together fostering community vitality, dialogue, increased empathy, and community pride.

Celebrating Disability - Community Connections Through Art
In the second phase of the Celebrating Disability - Community Connections Through Art Project, Whatcom Center for Early Learning will duplicate the art installation to its Ferndale location to expand the reach of those who see and are engaged by these inspiring images. This will showcase the artists who created the art and share the stories of hope we have collected at a community open house at the organization's central Blue House location.

Fiscal sponsor for the Black Business Collective | The Black Business Collective
The Black Business Collective serves as a bridge for underrepresented businesses/nonprofits to build relationships with the broader business community and explore educational opportunities to secure, sustain, collaborate and grow. This Black-led community is open to all.

Whatcom Community College Campus Garden
The WCC campus garden is enjoyed by pre-school kids, high school and college students, international students, immigrant families, and WCC faculty and staff. This project will build a toolshed for the campus garden and provide four raised garden beds. The toolshed will provide hands-on construction skills, and the raised beds will provide accessibility for people who are mobility challenged.

Intergenerational Game Night
The Whatcom Council on Aging would like to host an Intergenerational Game Night open to Bellingham Senior Activity Center members and community members of all ages - anyone can host a table to teach and play a board/card game with others, with games for all range of ages and abilities.

Fiscal sponsor for Friends of Northfork Library Community Library | Northfork Library Community Meeting Room
The Northfork Library Community Meeting room would allow the people of rural Maple Falls to have access to a private, reservable meeting space. This will allow access to additional library services like Telehealth Conferencing, online training classes, community meetings, legal consultations, and job interviews. Internet service is not available to many area residents.

Exploring Equity & Cultural Humility with The REACH Center
Regardless of our individual identities, we each need safety, connection, respect, and to be heard. In a moment when many identities are being targeted by harmful rhetoric and policies, we aspire again to present more REACH workshops – to inspire and empower participants to honor diversity, promote cultural self-awareness, engage in cross-cultural learning, and examine the power of the “isms”.

Intergenerational Center Computer Stations
The Whatcom Family YMCA plans to incorporate computer stations in the new Intergenerational Center for members’ use. Whatcom Family YMCA hopes to foster connections between youth and older members in this space. Youth can help less tech-savvy elders build confidence in using modern technology while seniors can share their life-earned wisdom, creating meaningful opportunities for learning and collaboration.

Eliza Curve Community Garden
The Eliza Curve Garden and Bellis Fairways green space will be a place for students to learn gardening, plan, design and implement garden based projects and build a green space based on community needs. As the garden grows, students will plan and host events such as the harvest festival where community members will have access to fresh food and be able to learn from student run workshops.

First Food Community Garden Collaboration
This is a collaborative project between Whatcom Land Trust and Nooksack Indian Tribe Cultural Resources Department to establish a "first food" garden adjacent to a tribal housing community on conservation land that the Whatcom Land Trust owns along the South Fork of the Nooksack River. The goal is to build community by learning and growing foods that are indigenous to the area.

Harmony Across Generations: A Summer of Community Music Lessons
White Crow String Works' summer program aims to foster compassion, kindness, and meaningful connections in our community through accessible music education. This summer, we will offer beginner-level string lessons, pairing advanced high school and college mentors with younger students, embracing an intergenerational learning approach.

Wonder Walks: Reducing isolation, building shared community
Wonder Walks is a weekly nature program that is widely accessible to adults (18+) of all abilities. It is specifically designed with consideration for those who have physical and/or cognitive disabilities, and/or are neurodivergent. The goal of Wonder Walks is to develop a shared community, reduce isolation, and increase belonging with each other and with nature.