Columbia REA Announce Recipients of 2025 Legacy Grants

WALLA WALLA — Columbia REA has chosen three local organizations to receive a 2025 Legacy Grant in the amount of $250,000 each.

After careful consideration of all applications, the $750,000 Legacy Grant funds will be shared evenly between:

Burbank Wrestling Club for facilities improvement/expansion in cooperation with the Columbia School District

Starbuck School District for the installation of new playground equipment

Walla Walla Summer Theater Group for renovation and restoration of the Fort Walla Walla

Amphitheater

Columbia REA has a long history of supporting the people and the communities it serves. REA contributes to more than 100 different organizations every year. Their core values are honesty, loyalty, responsibility, positive attitude and behavior, and professional image.

They had a tremendous of Legacy Grant applications from a wide variety of organizations throughout the three counties they serve, and all were reviewed thoroughly and thoughtfully by the Columbia REA Board of Directors.

“It was humbling to realize how many individuals and organizations work to improve our communities,” said Jay DeWitt, 2025 Columbia REA Board President. “We received 35 well-prepared applications, all worthy of support. The selection process was difficult, but in the end, the board chose to support three projects that will have lasting impacts on the vitality of the communities CREA serves, especially for young people.”

"We would like to thank every organization that applied for the Legacy Grant, and wish them the best, and we would like to invite all to apply for our More Powerful Together Community Grant in 2026."