Record $6M Gift Brings New Washougal Community Library Close To Fundraising Finish Line (Photo) - 07/17/26
Washougal, Wash. — Fort Vancouver Regional Library District (FVRLibraries) and the FVRL Foundation (FVRLF) today announced a $6 million gift from The Endeavour Fund to support the new Washougal Community Library project at 222 Durgan Street. The gift represents the largest philanthropic investment in FVRLF’s history.
“With the extraordinary generosity of The Endeavour Fund we are rounding the final turn for the Washougal Library fundraising campaign. We're just $400,000 away from reaching our $10.4 million goal and we’re calling on our community to help us finish the job," said Jenny Wilkerson, executive director, FVRLF.
Established in 1981, the Washougal Community Library serves nearly 18,000 residents from a 2,300-square-foot space inside the city’s administrative complex. The new 14,000-square-foot library, slated to open in early 2028, will expand access and amenities for the entire community, with:
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Dedicated spaces for children and teens.
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A large community room, three meeting rooms, and a courtyard designed for year-round access.
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Expanded collections and resource access.
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Public computers and technology for residents without home internet.
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A welcoming, accessible design rooted in the spirit of Washougal and its surrounding rivers.
The library will anchor a revitalized civic campus in downtown Washougal alongside an expanded community center, splash park, dog park, and additional public parking.
"The vision for a new Washougal library has been years in the making, and today, that promise is finally being fulfilled,” said Jennifer Giltrop, executive director, FVRLibraries. “The Endeavour Fund’s extraordinary gift reflects the power of partnership, generosity, and a shared belief that public libraries are essential to strong, thriving communities. Driven by community input and inspired by Washougal's natural landscape, the new building will provide a sevenfold increase in community space; creating new opportunities for learning, connection, and engagement for generations to come."
The $19.4 million building project has secured $19 million to date through a combination of public investment, state support, and private philanthropy—including a $1 million donation announced in June. The FVRLF is actively seeking philanthropic partners to close the final fundraising gap. To learn more or make a gift of any size, contact Jenny Wilkerson, jwilkerson@FVRLFoundation.org or visit www.fvrlfoundation.org.
Washougal Community Library construction is expected to break ground by winter 2026, with completion slated for 2028. Learn more about the project at fvrllibraries.org/NewWashougalLibrary.
About FVRL Foundation
Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and enhancing Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries' capacity to dynamically serve its communities. FVRL Foundation raises funds to support building campaigns, library programs, collections, and advocacy initiatives that make the library a place of learning and connection for all.
About FVRLibraries
The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District provides essential library services to Southwest Washington's diverse landscapes. Its reach extends across Klickitat and Skamania Counties, the entirety of Clark County—excluding the City of Camas—and into Cowlitz County via the City of Woodland and the Yale Valley Library District.
