End of year giving
Grant insecurity makes end-of-year giving essential for WAGAP
Season of giving takes on a new importance for nonprofits in 2025
Bingen, WA (November 20, 2025) - Every dollar counts. That is the message being shared as nonprofits like Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) prepare for what is traditionally a joyful period of the year.
“For nearly sixty years, WAGAP has been serving low-income residents, including children and families, in Klickitat and Skamania counties,” said Executive Director Jennifer Pauletto. “We are doing our best to weather the current delays and changes in funding from federal and state grants, which make up a majority of our annual budget. But we need help from our communities to continue to serve where the needs are greatest, especially when it comes to food and energy assistance.”
The end-of-year giving campaign for WAGAP starts in November, and Pauletto is grateful to thank First Security Bank for kicking it off with an $8,000 donation to the Food Bank Network in Goldendale earlier this month. GivingTuesday is another milestone for the campaign, and this year it falls on December 2, after the Thanksgiving weekend.
WAGAP hopes to raise $125,000 this year to help cover budget gaps. “There is a lot of uncertainty right now,” Pauletto said. “These flexible dollars will allow us to meet community member needs as they are presented.”
Various programs have been weathering funding freezes throughout the federal government shutdown and budget negotiations. The local result is that some programs are paused during these periods, meaning families in need do not receive dollars to help pay for heating as the fall weather grows colder. Food banks have been doing their best to manage smaller budgets as the need for food continues to grow.
Even uplifting programs that rely entirely on local donations are feeling the pinch. The Tree of Joy, a holiday program that helps match children in need with individual donors, has seen a significant increase in registration, jumping from 300 to 520 children this year. At the time of writing, the team had found 400 donors, but still has over 120 to go.
"We hope to ensure that all children who have been registered for the Tree of Joy this year receive much-needed warm winter clothing and a holiday gift,” said Associate Director Juan Reyes, who helps coordinate the program. “Our community members' participation is essential to serve all of those children in need."
“Times may be tight for everyone right now,” Pauletto said. “We are so grateful for any donations that help us keep the most vulnerable populations housed, warm, and fed. Thank you to all of our donors for caring for your neighbors. Together, we can weather this storm.”
Donations can be accepted in person at local WAGAP offices, Monday through Thursday, during regular business hours, at the following locations: Bingen, 115 W. Steuben Street; Stevenson, 683 SW Rock Creek Drive; and the Goldendale Housing office, located at 112 East Main Street.
Donors can also use the online system through WAGAP’s website by visiting https://www.wagap.org/donate and scheduling a one-time donation or setting up an ongoing monthly donation. They also have the opportunity to direct their dollars to the greatest need or to a particular program of interest.
Checks can be mailed to Washington Gorge Action Programs at P.O. Box 805, Bingen, WA 98605. WAGAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Action Agency, and donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Legacy giving to Washington Gorge Action Programs is also possible. Charitable gifts can be organized through a donor’s will and can include items such as cash, real estate, a percentage of an estate, retirement accounts, bank accounts, CDs, savings bonds, stocks, bonds, brokerage accounts, and life insurance policies. For many types of accounts, donors can name WAGAP as a beneficiary or a contingent beneficiary. More information is available at https://www.wagap.org/a-gift-in-your-will.