Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown ’s office is awarding $200,000 in community investment funds to Vancouver-based nonprofit Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, following a judgment against another local charity that mismanaged resources intended for underserved communities.
The Community Foundation will use the funds to support its Social Justice & Resiliency Fund, which provides grants to local organizations working toward social and economic equity, according to a news release from the Office of Attorney General Nick Brown.
The award follows a Clark County Superior Court ruling in November against the former directors of The Noble Foundation and its subsidiaries. The court found they illegally benefited from charitable funds meant to serve communities of color and low-income households. Defendants were ordered to pay approximately $350,000, with an additional $1 million in penalties suspended pending compliance, the news release stated.
“The Noble Foundation failed its promise of opportunity to our residents. By putting these funds in the hands of reputable southwest Washington charities, we can restore some hope to those denied,” Attorney General Nick Brown said in the release.
The $150,000 in remaining recovery funds will cover litigation costs and support nonprofit education and training efforts.
To request nonprofit law training, email charities@atg.wa.gov.
