Building a Stronger Future: Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island

Pictured: Caitlin Stanton, Mother Mentors Development Director; Shiloh Stanton, age 3; Laura McAlister, MM Board Vice President; Jane Bothel, MM Board President; Jeff Natter, WCF Board Member; and Katie Watkins, Partners for Young Children in Island County Coordinator, presenting the grant check.

Whidbey Community Foundation (WCF) is proud to support Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island (Mother Mentors) through our Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grant Program. Mother Mentors has been a pillar of support for families with young children since 2009, providing critical early learning opportunities, resources, and community connections to help caregivers thrive.

Their programs—including Play & Learn sessions, Parent Pantry locations, and in-home mentoring—serve over 400 families across Whidbey Island each year.

Investing in Sustainability and Growth

As part of its commitment to serving families, Mother Mentors received a Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grant to strengthen its organizational infrastructure, prioritizing fundraising capacity for long-term sustainability. A portion of the grant supports the hiring of a Development Director to expand fundraising, secure new grants, and build donor relationships. With growing demand and shifting funding sources, a strong development strategy is essential to sustaining services.

The remaining grant funds support technology upgrades, including a laptop, printer, and other tools to improve administrative efficiency and donor management as the organization grows.

A Vital Resource for Families

A recent survey of 52 families highlights the profound impact of Mother Mentors in the community. Many families face challenges like financial stress, child care shortages, mental health struggles, and housing insecurity. Sixty percent reported mental health challenges, and nearly 18% struggled with housing costs. Through Play & Learn programs, mentorship, and the Parent Pantry, Mother Mentors has been a vital support system for caregivers navigating these hardships.

Families shared heartfelt testimonials about how Mother Mentors provided stability during postpartum depression, military deployments, and financial difficulties. One parent reflected, “I had postpartum depression with my second child, and my mother mentor was a wonderful support to both myself and my child during that time.” Another caregiver shared, “We were really in need of diapers, behind on our mortgage, and dealing with postpartum depression. Mother Mentors was there for us when we needed it most.”

Beyond essential resources, Mother Mentors fosters a strong sense of belonging for families who might otherwise feel isolated. Parents described it as a welcoming space where they built lasting friendships, gained confidence, and found emotional support.

WCF is honored to support Mother Mentors as they take this critical step in their growth journey. Their dedication to families, early childhood development, and community-building continues to inspire us, and we look forward to seeing their continued success in the years to come. Learn more at https://mothermentors.org/.

Support Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grants

WCF’s Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grant Program strengthens the internal operations of Whidbey Island nonprofits, ensuring they have the tools to grow and sustain their impact. By funding staff and board development, technology upgrades, financial planning, and strategic assessments, WCF helps organizations build long-term resilience. Investing in organizational infrastructure rather than direct program costs allows nonprofits to operate more effectively and expand their impact in the community.

WCF is able to provide grants like these with broad support from our community. If you are interested in supporting the Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grant Program, we invite you to make a contribution to WCF’s Foundation Fund, which holistically supports our grant programs, nonprofit trainings/workshops, and WCF operations. Our Board of Directors allocates funding each year to ensure nonprofits have access to critical resources. WCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to Whidbey Island; all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Learn about different ways to make a charitable contribution here.

Read the original blog post on the Whidbey Community Foundation Website here.