You can build a stable future for the Upper Valley
Leavenworth is home. It’s a tight-knit community.
It’s a beloved escape.
But finding an affordable place to live has become harder and harder—especially for the people who underpin our economy.
Introducing the Solid Foundations Campaign for Affordable Housing.
You can expand affordable housing in Leavenworth today.
And thanks to the Sleeping Lady Foundation, your gift will be matched, up to $250,000.
That means every $1 you give can become $2 for the Upper Valley.
We’ve come so far!
Thanks to tremendous early support from our community and elected officials during the early phases of the Solid Foundations Campaign, Upper Valley MEND now owns and manages 31 apartments in Leavenworth as permanently affordable workforce housing.
But it’s not over yet—and you can help!
Preserving these apartments was the first step in a longer-term solution to the housing crisis in Leavenworth.
The campaign will continue through 2024 to raise funds to expand the affordable housing stock.
Additional funds raised during this phase of the campaign will support future housing opportunities, including building two new units on a lot donated by the Marson family.
FUNDING SOURCES
$600K: City of Leavenworth
$860K: Chelan County
$500K: MEND Funds (Including Meadowlark Proceeds)
$2.23M: State of Washington
Approximately $3.2 M: Philanthropy & Community Support
Join MEND in expanding affordable housing in Leavenworth.
The Marson family generously donated an empty lot inside Leavenworth city limits during the first phase of the campaign.
With your help, we are planning to build two new units on this donated lot, which would be managed as affordable housing going forward. The rendering above is a concept of what the new building could look like, provided by Syndicate Smith, who donated their services.
We’re still early in the process, with bridges to cross and many details to be worked out, but this is most likely the next project in our pipeline.
Building more affordable housing was always part of the long-term plan. With the support of our community, this next step can begin sooner than we expected.
Let’s start to balance Leavenworth’s housing opportunities today.
And with the Sleeping Lady Foundation’s match, your gift will go twice as far!
The housing shortage affects us all.
It’s a problem for those of us who stay—and for those of us who are pushed out.
The Upper Valley is facing a pressing housing crisis as it grapples with soaring home values and limited supply.
This has created an urgent need for affordable workforce housing.
This affects people across various socioeconomic levels, including those working in the service industry, education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Through the generosity and foresight of the Marson family, we have an opportunity to make a long-term impact on affordable housing in our valley.
The Marson Family has maintained a portfolio of rentals, keeping rents affordable for local residents. When they decided to sell these properties, they approached Upper Valley MEND first, offering a long lead time and a below-market price. Along with the sale of these properties, the Marson family has donated a newly subdivided lot in 2024. Through this donation and the support of our community, we are planning to add two new rental units, building a foundation for future affordable housing in the Upper Valley.
“Our family decided to do this because it's the right thing for our community, which has been so good to us, and we'd like to set an example for others to help with this goal of affordable housing. We feel this is a positive step in the right direction.” -Ken Marson
Together, we can ensure that our community always has a place to call home.
A HUGE THANK YOU!
Join your community!
Andy and Maureen Seikel
Andy and Suzi Lane
Ann and Don Schaechtel
In Memory of Alan Whittemore
Anne and Robert White
Anonymous
Bill Jenkins
Bob and Amy Maher
Bud and Pat Dietrich
Carl and Deb Florea
Celeste and Kurt Peterson
Chris Clark
Cline and Kirsten Sweet
Craig and Reava Davis
Craig Root and Robin Boal
Daniel David
Darryl and Mindy Wall
David Morgan and Christine Jakobsen
Donald and Kristen Wood
Doug Compau and Robin Moser
Dr. Tracey Edou
Geoff and Tina Richardson
Greg and Mary Steeber
Greg and Sharon Lunz
Herman and Susan Raley
Hillary and Christopher Clark
James and Rachel Clifton
James and Rebecca Grandin
James Leifheit and Kristi Karpenko
Businesses & Organizations:
The following local businesses and organizations have provided a generous financial contribution to the Campaign. We thank them for their commitment to affordable housing for our local workforce!
Are you a business owner interested in joining this list?
An anonymous donor is currently matching all cash gifts from businesses. That means a gift from your business could be tripled, thanks to this anonymous donor and the Sleeping Lady Foundation.
Thank you to the following community members for their support for the Solid Foundations Campaign during its early phases. Join them in taking the next step for affordable housing.
Jane and Alvin Lee
Javier and Cyndi Garza
Jeffrey and Dina Frank
Jerry Baird
Jesse Boyd
Jimi and George Wilson
John and Mary Schramm
John and Susan Butruille
Jose Hurtado
Julie Edsforth and Jabe Blumenthal
Karl and Dawn Kranz
Kaylin Bettinger and Tucker Havekost
Kimberly and Quinn Gunhus
Kirstin and Brendon Lynch
Lance and Deborah Vander Hoek
Laura Lentz and Pavel McGlave
Lauren Johnson and Barbara Rossing
Lisa & Brian Koblenz
Mall Boyd
Mara and Brian Bohman
Mark Shorb and Kristin Ferrera
Marson Family Holdings
Martin Straub and Diane Blake
Marty and Bob Fallon
Mary Ellen & Ed Hanks
Mary Ersek and Jerry Schellenberg
Maxine Koblenz
Melanie Riddick
Mike and Cherié Warren
Mike and Cindy Hendricks
Nancy Odegard
Oliver and Pam Brulotte
Patty Hebert and John Agnew
Paul and Linda Jinneman
Paul and Susan Ballinger
Ric Escobedo
Rick and Pat Thirlby
Rob and Cindy Shurtleff
Ron and Kay Larson
Rose Ann and John McRoberts
Rufus Woods
Sandra Phenning
Steven and Rachel Booher
Stuart and Sally Freed
Susan and James Sturms
Tambra Zimmermann
Theresa and Richard D-Litzenberger
The Extended Williams Family:
Williams Friendship Fund
Bruce Williams and Gro Buer
Tiffany Brine and Bill Davies
Timothy Sale
Tina and Michael Banks
Tony and Marcia Banks
In Memory of Lucus Banks
Tony and Meleah Butruille
Valla and Buford Howell
Interested in making a multi-year pledge, giving through a donor advised fund, or giving a gift of stock? Please contact:
Hillary Clark, Development Director, (509) 293-8067 or hillary@uvmend.org