City of Leavenworth selects 44 organizations for 2027 grant funding, awards over $200k

LEAVENWORTH — The Leavenworth City Council unanimously approved Leavenworth Fund Grant Program awards for 2027 during its regular Oct. 13 meeting. Of the 53 applications, 44 were awarded funding, totalling over $200,000.

The Leavenworth Fund includes two grant programs to support initiatives by local nonprofit organizations. The General Fund Grant Program supports projects that directly benefit Leavenworth residents and the community, while the Lodging Tax Fund Grant Program earmarks funding for projects and activities that promote tourism and attract visitors.

The proposed 2027 funding levels received support from the Leavenworth City Council in June, totalling $75,000 available in the General Fund and $150,000 in the Lodging Tax fund. According to the city, the council noted that although it was a modest amount relative to the city’s overall budget, it could have a “significant impact on the nonprofit organizations that receive it.”

Nineteen applications were awarded funding from the General Fund program, with a maximum amount of $5,000 for individual awards. Major awards went to supporting food security in the community, including the Community United Methodist Church’s Feed the Kids program, Upper Valley MEND’s food program, and Okanogan County Transportation & Nutrition’s meal delivery for homebound seniors.

Awards also went towards projects and programs supporting wildfire awareness, waste reduction, arts education, history, safety and recreation.

The Lodging Tax Fund included 25 award recipients. Major recipients included $9,900 for Leavenworth Bike Fest, $9,380 for Cascade Celtic Festival, and $9,540 for Leavenworth Summer Theater’s “Les Misérables” and “Oklahoma!”

Other notable funding included over $16,000 combined for both the Chamber Music and Summer Concert series at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, $8,260 for the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration, and $7,200 for TREAD’s documentary film project on the Enchantments.

The City of Leavenworth said it received 53 complete applications requesting approximately $292,000 total. The General Fund received 26 applications requesting $113,657, while the Lodging Tax Fund received 27 applications requesting $178,642.

According to the city, the applications were independently reviewed and scored by the members of the Economic Development Committee, which includes council members Anne Hessburg, Mike Bedard, and Shane Thayer, City Administrator Matthew Selby, and City staff member Courtney Porter. The committee met in September to discuss eligibility, community benefit, tourism impact, and available funding.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media