Community Chest  FAQ

The Point Roberts Community Chest Funds were started from a generous initial donation to help set up the Endowed and the Non-Endowed funds as well as providing a yearly commitment of at least $15,000 to be split between the funds. This was done by a private group of donor/advisors. The current advisory group will expand to add additional members from the Point Roberts community as money from the Endowed Fund becomes available for distribution. 

1. All grants are currently determined by a vote of the Point Roberts Community Chest Funds Advisory Committee and issued by the Whatcom Community Foundation

2. Advisors to the funds can not recommend grants to any organization they are an officer of. 

3. All money donated to the Endowed or Non-endowed Point Roberts Community Chest funds are tax deductible.

4.  Point Roberts Community Chest Funds Advisory Committee is not currently taking direct grant applications.

5. The Advisory Committee is currently  issuing micro-grants starting at $250 and spreading these out through the various 501c3 organizations that exisit in Point Roberts or groups that provide services to Point Roberts.

6. Grants can currently only be issued to 501c3 non-profit organizations.

7. The Committee will issue grants beyond the $250 level when a specific need is identified and as additional funds are available. 

8. The Committee will open the funds up to grant applications from the local community once the funds become self sustaining. The application process and amounts available for grants will be made public at that time. (We are currently targeting March 2028 since that is when the first funds can be transferred from the Endowed Fund)

9. Point Roberts Community Chest Funds Advisory Committee plans on forming a 501c3 non-profit to handle charitable needs that do not currently fit within existing mandates of Point Roberts 501c3 groups and to create a means for providing grants to individuals and groups that benefit the community but are not directly sponsored by other 501c3 groups.

10. If for some reason, the Point Roberts Community Chest Funds Advisory Committee fails, then the Whatcom Community Foundation will take all remaining monies within the funds and make them avilable for distribution to the Point Roberts Community.