LaunchNW is a community mission. While the initiative was first implemented in Spokane County, rural communities in the 10 Eastern Washington counties served by Innovia Foundation can now apply for grant funding to bring LaunchNW to their own region. By galvanizing local leaders and partnering with every sector of the community, LaunchNW will generate sustainable, measurable change in our region for generations to come.
To learn more about the LaunchNW rural strategy, view our booklet below!
Gear Up for LaunchNW Webinar Series
This virtual series is designed to help communities assess their strengths and readiness to successfully implement the LaunchNW program and complete their grant application. Participation in all three sessions is mandatory for all grant applicants. Please contact our team if you would like a link to webinar recordings.
Session 1: Scholarships and Community Fundraising
May 7, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
In this session, scholarship fundraising was discussed, including the role of the local community in fundraising for scholarships and the associated fundraising goal. Representatives of Innovia Foundation and LaunchNW were available to answer fundraising questions and discuss matching funding support available through Innovia and LaunchNW.
Session 2: Collective Understanding and Buy-In
May 22, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
In this second webinar of the series, the LaunchNW team discussed creating a profile of students pursuing and not pursuing post-high school education in rural communities. Discussion focused on common trends and challenges, the importance of comprehensive supports, the role of data in identifying opportunities/barriers to students pursuing the career and future they choose, and measuring program results. Next steps/homework assignments were discussed, including: 1) starting a further data gathering conversation with your local school superintendent; and 2) asset mapping of existing services to kids in your community.
Session 3: Governance Committee & Program Support
June 26, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
In this third and final webinar of the series, community representatives considered their planning and governance committees. Discussion focused on critical members and successful models. The role of the LaunchNW Project Coordinator was also discussed. Participants began thinking about their budget for LaunchNW and considered various types of investment (financial, time, and in-kind resources) that is needed for this work.
Rural LaunchNW Checklist
Use the information below to assess the readiness of your community to successfully participate in the LaunchNW initiative! Each of these components was discussed in detail in our Gear Up for LaunchNW webinar series.
Community-Driven Scholarship Raise Launched
• Each community will work with LaunchNW to set a locally driven fundraising goal relative to the average scholarship costs of their graduating student population.
*Please contact Matt Bumpus at mbumpus@innovia.org for support in calculating your community’s scholarship fundraising goal.
Collective Understanding and Buy-In Developed
• My group is committed to the goal of every child receiving some form of post-high school education.
• My group has identified the profile of students pursuing post-high school education in our community. We have also identified the profile of students who are not.
• Provide three letters of support from leaders in your community.
• Provide a one-page narrative explaining why your community is ready to be a LaunchNW Community.
Governing Committee Established
• Who is the main point of contact in your community for this effort?
• Who will be on your governance committee? Critical members could include:
· school district representative(s)
· public official(s)
· economic development representative(s)
· chamber leader(s)
· private business owner(s)
· student(s)/parent(s)
· career/college counselor(s)
· community-based organization leader(s)
· local trade school or college/university representative(s)
· faith leader(s)
· individuals passionate about youth and the success of your community!