Leadership Transition

September 23rd, 2026

Dear Friends and Supporters of the Central Washington Catholic Foundation,

The end of a fiscal year brings pause for reflection and prayers of thanksgiving. Since 2020, the Central Washington Catholic Foundation has reached remarkable milestones: our endowments have grown to over $7.1 million dollars, we launched a new Donor Advised Fund Program to help donors maximize their charitable giving, and we established a Digital Learning Fund Program to bring innovative educational resources to Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Yakima. These achievements reflect the extraordinary generosity and shared commitment to Catholic education that defines this community.

It is against this backdrop of growth and accomplishment that we share the news that Nicole St. Mary-Franson has made the decision to transition to a new role within Catholic education outside of the Foundation, concluding her time as Executive Director of the Central Washington Catholic Foundation.

Nicole is deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead this remarkable organization, to help build and strengthen its programs, and to work alongside the many dedicated individuals who share a commitment to advancing the mission of Catholic education throughout Central Washington. The Board of Trustees thanks Nicole for her years of leadership and service and wishes her much success with her next endeavor.

The Board of Trustees also extends much gratitude to you, our donors, volunteers, and community partners and all who have invested their time, talent, and treasure in support of Catholic education. Your generosity continues to transform lives and strengthen our Catholic communities throughout Central Washington. Together, we have built a strong foundation for the future and helped catapult funding for Catholic education to the next level. We are confident that the Foundation is well-positioned to continue expanding its impact for generations to come.

To help ensure a smooth transition, we are pleased to also share that Dan Fortier, former Executive Director, will step into a temporary leadership role in collaboration with Melissa Richter, current Administrative Assistant, while the Board of Trustees conducts a search for the Foundation’s next Executive Director. We have every confidence that the Foundation will continue to thrive during this transition.

Thank you once again for your confidence, encouragement, and partnership. We pray God’s continued blessings upon the Foundation, its leadership, and the many students and families whose lives will be enriched through your ongoing generosity.

With sincere appreciation,

Nicole St. Mary-Franson                                                Agustina Rankin
Executive Director                                                         Board President