By partnering on the endowment with the Skagit Community Foundation, Children of the Valley will be able to focus on providing its services while the foundation manages investments, accounting, oversight and administrative responsibilities.

Children of the Valley’s goal is to raise $3 million for the endowment over the next three years.

Once the goal is accomplished, the endowment is expected to provide $100,000 a year in self-sustaining funding.

Children of the Valley Executive Director Flora Lucatero said she looks forward to impacting generations to come.

“We’ve been able to make an impact in Skagit county for 20 years … it gives me hope knowing that this organization is going to be here for at least another 20 years or more. More students are going to have the opportunity for their lives to be changed through the work we do,” Lucatero said.

Skagit Community Foundation Executive Director Maddy MacKenzie said the endowment funds will provide stability and independence, especially in a time where funding models for nonprofits are rapidly changing.

For example, Children of the Valley has in the past received support from schools, but schools are facing increasingly tight budgets due to state and federal funding decisions.

MacKenzie said endowments create sustainable solutions so that nonprofits don’t have to focus as much on fundraising.

Those interested in donating to the endowment can do so through Children of the Valley or the Skagit Community Foundation.