Kalispel Charitable Fund

Since 2000, the Kalispel Tribe has donated approximatley $1 million annually to our local community. The Kalispel Tribe believes in being a strong community partner and strives to achieve that through its commitment to supporting its neighbors. The Charitable Fund was established to support the work of the numerous non-profit organizations of Spokane and Pend Oreille counties. The organizations the Tribe supports are pursuing the same goals as the Kalispel Tribe, as we all work to better the lives of our future generations.

Since 2000, the Kalispel Tribe has partnered with over 300 local non-profits in Spokane and Pend Oreille Counties, and has charitable partners in a variety of areas, including social services, healthcare, education, arts & culture and the environment.  Some of those organizations share their thoughts about the Tribe’s positive impact below.

Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation

Provides support and encouragement  to Community Colleges of Spokane students so they can stay focused on their schooling and achieve their dreams.

Vitalant -Spokane, Washington

Vitalant saves lives by providing blood and services to support transfusion and transplantation medicine in the Inland Northwest. The blood generously donated is used for people with various medical needs that result from accidents, surgery, and cancer.

YWCA-Spokane, Washington

“The impact of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians charitable giving on the women and children served by the YWCA of Spokane has been extraordinary. Annually, the YWCA provides services to nearly 16,000 women and children experiencing domestic violence, homelessness and unemployment.

Our long-term partnership with the Tribe has enabled us to complete the main facility where our agency provides services, including the creation of a new home for the Spokane Family Justice Center. The Tribe’s support was also key in helping us renovate our 100-year-old Safe Shelter for victims of domestic violence. The renovation created private, more autonomous living spaces, reducing the stress of communal living inherent in a shelter environment.

Most importantly the Tribe’s on-going support has given us the ability to sustain the counseling, legal, shelter, and job-readiness services that so many women have come to rely on in moving from what is often the most traumatic moment in their life to a new life of hope, healing, and security.”-Regina Malveaux, CEO

Cusick Food Bank-Cusick, Washington

“In 2015, the food bank received funding from the Tribe to assist families in need in Cusick.  The award enabled us to purchase a new large-capacity freezer, remodel the food staging area, purchase milk, and purchase hams for the Christmas boxes.  The award also included gas cards to support trips into Spokane to pick up food donated by 2^nd Harvest Food Bank.  The food bank is volunteer-ran out of the basement of the Pend Oreille Bible Church and serves approximately 62 families each week.  In March 2016 alone, we distributed more than 12,494 pounds of food.”-Gloria Williams, Cusick Food Bank Director

Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation-Newport, Washington

“The Kalispel Tribe Charitable Fund has assisted the Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation in giving back to children in Pend Oreille County through the weekly Healthy Kids Snack Bags program. Since 2012, the Tribe’s support for this program of $14,000 has provided well over 2,300 of the weekly snack bags for more than 190 children! Children receive three healthy snacks a day for seven days each week. That’s a healthy grain, a protein, a whole fresh fruit, and a container of 100% fruit juice for every day of the week. This program is unique because it provides more than just one weekends’ worth of food like other snack programs.  The teachers and counselors at each school determine who receives the snack bags and consider a variety of factors when deciding which child might need the extra food.

Due to successful fundraising, the NHHS Foundation provides snack bags to elementary school children in Newport, Oldtown, Priest River, Priest Lake, the Kalispel Career Training Center, and Cusick. Since the Foundation expanded the deliveries, the overall fundraising goal has been sustainability. Support from Tribe has also earned the Foundation grant application credibility, resulting in additional funding from other grantors. The Kalispel Tribe is a respected key partner in Pend Oreille County and truly demonstrates kindness and generosity in their daily interactions, at local community gatherings, and within business relationships.” -Jenny Smith, Marketing and Foundation Director