FOUNDATION NEWS WINTER 2025
EMPOWERING STUDENTS
CBC students are the ones who experience firsthand the impact of our donors and community partners. Your generosity enables the CBC Foundation to award scholarships, provide emergency payments, fund student support services and programs, and so much more.
CBC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Melda Velasquez, Chair Kadlec Regional Medical Center
Douglas Christensen, Vice Chair & Board Development Chair HMIS
Matt Backlund, Treasurer & Finance Chair Community First Bank
Whitney LaMarche, Secretary Hadron Intrinsic Consulting, LLC
Rebekah Dobbs, Gift, Estate and Planned Giving Chair Premier Mortgage Resources
Lynn Tegeler, Scholarship Chair Central Plateau Cleanup Company
Kyle Simmons, Fund Development Chair CG Public House
Rebekah Woods Columbia Basin College President
David Billetdeaux Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Andrew Chung Gesa Credit Union
Maggie Esquivel Gravis Law
Marsha Halverson Educator, Retired
Ann Harper Artist
Kedrich Jackson Columbia Basin College Trustee
Jack Janezic Trios & Lourdes Health
Moses Jaraysi
Leanna Nighswonger Washington River Protection Solutions
Shawn Nyman CBC Faculty Representative
Mitch Peterson CompuNet
Edgardo Quiroz-Moreno Coldwell Banker Tomlinson
Jaime Shimek Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Adan Tijerina
Columbia Basin College Educator, Retired
Michelle Twomey Kadlec Regional Medical Center
Tayler Welch Monte Nail, CPA
Paige Wyatt
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory STAFF
Erin Fishburn Executive Director
Devon Holze
Sarah Murphy
Timmy Song
FOUNDATION BOARD ACCEPTED TO PRESTIGIOUS PROGRAM
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has accepted the CBC Foundation Board of Directors into its Board Leadership & Development Program.
The program provides training, coaching and tools to equip executive directors, board chairs and board members with the skills to advance the Foundation’s mission and address the most strategic issues, challenges and opportunities for board leadership.
Murdock Trust grantees who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to the Trust’s mission are invited to apply for the program.
TOP MOMENTS YOU MADE HAPPEN
HERE’S A SNAPSHOT OF MEMORABLE MOMENTS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND GENEROUS DONORS LIKE YOU.
$187,240 Raised for Student Scholarships at the Power of Connection Event $27,000 to Purchase Essential Equipment for CBC’s EMT/Paramedic Program Hawks Awarded $1.34 Million in Scholarships
Shaping Futures ONE
Contributions from donors and community partners have been instrumental in providing CBC students with opportunities that will shape their futures.
Nearly 75% of all CBC students rely on some form of financial aid to pay for their education. Below are five ways you can help. Every contribution to the CBC Foundation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful difference in the lives of students today and for generations to come.
> CASH: Cash donations may be made via check to the Columbia Basin College Foundation and mailed to 2600 N. 20th Avenue, MS-F1, Pasco, WA 99301, or by using your credit card at columbiabasin.edu/donate.
> STOCKS OR APPRECIATED ASSETS: Donating stocks or appreciated assets can offer significant tax advantages. If you transfer your assets directly to the Columbia Basin College Foundation, you may avoid capital gains tax and receive an income tax deduction for the full market value at the time of the gift.
> QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS (QCDS): If you are 70 ½ years or older, you can make QCDs up to $108,000 annually from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) directly to the Columbia Basin College Foundation. These distributions are not treated as taxable income and satisfy your required minimum distribution, making them an efficient way to support our work.
> GRANTS FROM DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS (DAFS): If you have a DAF, you can recommend a grant to the Columbia Basin College Foundation. Grants made from DAFs are not considered part of your taxable income.
> GIVING THROUGH YOUR ESTATE PLAN: You can name Columbia Basin College Foundation as a beneficiary of assets in your estate plan to impact future generations of CBC students.
CONTACT YOUR LEGAL/TAX ADVISORS OR THE CBC FOUNDATION TO DISCUSS ANY OF THESE OPTIONS.
95% OF DONATIONS GO DIRECTLY TO
SUPPORT STUDENTS
Donors can direct their gifts to scholarships, emergency funding, College priorities or any CBC program.
Thanks to the generosity of CBC supporters, the Foundation has awarded more than $12 million in scholarships and provided about $14 million to build and equip CBC programs and fund College priorities.
“Every dollar I earn goes toward supporting my education and helping my family meet their needs. I could not attend CBC without a scholarship. Thank you for helping me reach a brighter tomorrow.”
Why I Support
GIFT AT A TIME THE FOUNDATION
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
“Many of our students have stories like mine. My parents were farm workers with little formal education. Having the opportunity to go to college was a dream I didn’t know I would be able to accomplish. Thanks to a scholarship, I became the first in my family to attend and graduate from college. Now, I think about how different my children’s experiences have been from mine. I understand how supporting the CBC Foundation creates opportunities for people to pursue their dreams and careers that can change lives and transform future generations.”
Melda Velasquez
CBC FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIR
CBC CARES EMERGENCY FUND
LIFELINE TO AID STUDENTS IN CRISIS
The CBC Cares Emergency Fund is a vital support system for students who must choose between basic needs and a college education.
The CBC Foundation administers this fund to provide one-time assistance to Hawks facing unforeseen emergencies such as hefty medical bills, car troubles, or help with the high cost of essentials like housing, gas and groceries.
By offering this immediate financial relief, the fund helps CBC students remain focused on their academic goals and dreams.
The College first utilizes federal and state emergency funding to fill these needs. However, when no other support is available, the Foundation’s Emergency Fund is used as a last resort.
Generous donations from CBC supporters make this fund possible.
GIVE TO THE CBC FOUNDATION’S CARES EMERGENCY FUND AT COLUMBIABASIN.EDU/DONATE
“You have a plan for a better life, but then an emergency hits, and you worry about taking care of your family and whether you’ll have a roof over your head. I take pride in my independence, but when I couldn’t pay my rent, I had to ask for help. Your compassion means the world to me and keeps me on track to earn my degree.”
EMERGENCY FUND RECIPIENT
