Millions flowing to Klamath region to boost community and opportunity

Multi-million dollar donations to fund community building grants along the far North Coast.

photo credit: Ellen Joy Mercado
The Klamath River.

One of California's least prosperous regions will get a significant amount money aimed at bolstering community and generating financial stability.

This week, two North Coast community foundations announced the formation of a new fund---with a specific mission to support communities along the Klamath River.

The new Klamath River Fund, with $10 million in seed funding from charitable groups, intends to distribute the money over a decade.

Pimm Tripp-Allen is with the Humboldt Area Foundation, which established the Klamath River Fund with the Wild Rivers Community Foundation.

"The foundation reached out to us based on our good working relationship with the local community and also with our established relationship working with tribes to bring this money to the community," Tripp-Allen said

She says the funders, including the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation back the ongoing removal of three antiquated hydroelectric dams along the Klamath and want to support the area and its people.

"I think they recognize the dam coming down is just the first part of really long-term health and wellness for the whole region, from the people to the land to the water," Tripp-Allen said.

A myriad of initiatives could receive funding, whether for community building clubs and activities, economic development or restoring fish habitat to the mighty Klamath's tributaries.

"Community partners of all sorts who are committed to the long term wellness of their communities, whether it's be through science based projects, whether it be through community building projects, tribally led projects or any combination thereof," Tripp-Allen added.

While the financial infusion should help, Tripp Allen says she isn't expecting transformational change.

"I don't think that we'll be able to turn around the economy with this funding, but I think what we can do is support the people who need to do the deep thinking around, what is the next iteration of a healthy economy look like for the entire region," Tripp Allen said.