SKAMOKAWA – The Lower Columbia Economic Development Council (LCEDC) announced that it will sponsor a two-day grant writing class set to take place Feb. 6 and Feb. 7.

“Our partners in the nonprofit community are important to economic development,” said LCEDC Executive Director Ken Scholes. “I’ve frequently heard over the past four months that there is a need and desire for local grant training. This class is a good starting place.”

Karen Bertroch, lead consultant for Faith Leadership Consulting in Seattle, will be conducting the fundraising training. Working in nonprofit for over 35 years, Bertroch has experience in every facet of nonprofit leadership in many different kinds of organizations.

“I met Karen through her work as co-director and coach with the Strategic Leadership Institute in Seattle,” Scholes said. “I’d taken many classes prior to SLI, but the training I received there was truly transforming.” Scholes credits this in large part to Bertroch, who he said is a gifted, caring presenter who does this work because she wants to help nonprofits and leaders succeed.

While visiting Wahkiakum, Bertroch will be staying at the Columbia RiverFront FarmHouse, a vacation rental home on Puget Island. For more information about this home and other lodging available in our county for the grantwriting class, visit www.RiverMile39.com and click on the “Wahkiakum County” link.

The class will be held at Skamokawa Landing, 957 Steamboat Slough Road, in the auditorium with lunch provided both days. To register, contact Ken Scholes or Donna Westlind at the LCEDC office. (360) 795-3996. Cost is $100 per person. Thanks to a grant from Lower Columbia College, there are also a limited number of partial scholarships available.