We want to thank Grace for sharing this partner spotlight with us.
- Area 3, Territory Manager Grace McKnight, Seattle Territory in Seattle, Washington – Our territory consist of WA, OR, ID, MT and WY.
- Northwest Indian College/Lummi Tribe is located near the Victoria BC border West of Bellingham, Washington, in Western Whatcom county.
- Lummi Nation is the third largest tribe in Washington with more than 5,000 members and a 13,000 acre reservation.
- Traditions include: the Lummi Nation Salmon Ceremony, the Lummi Nation Stommish Water Festival, which started in 1946 and the Tribal Canoe journeys/paddle which begin in 1989.
- The Lummi Nation recently poured $900,000 in charitable donations into the local and greater Washington economy. Since 2002, the Lummi Nation has given more than $5 million dollars in community contributions to surrounding community and organizations. Every dollar earned from tribal gaming is invested in public purposes.
- Northwest Indian College is a public college.
- It was established by the Lummi Nation Tribe and is the only accredited Tribal College or University serving reservation communities of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
- Northwest Indian College has partnered with SPEC since December 2014. They have one VITA site and one Facilitated Self Assisted (FSA) site.
- Northwest Indian College-VITA site is located at Lummi campus. NWIC designates several of their private offices to assist and prepare tax returns during the season. The number of volunteers vary from as many as 8 to 4. NWIC marketing consist of advertising to the tribal community via flyers , bulletins and social media.
- NWIC set their first goal in 2015 to e-file 50 returns. The next year, the plan was to increase by 5% and each year thereafter by 5%.
- Northwest Indian College offers benefit screening, Financial Education and Coaching throughout the year. Their Financial Literacy program provides regular financial literacy education classes and workshops to students.
- One challenge for NWIC has been maintaining a core group of volunteers.
- Best practices: The site is set-up to be “family friendly”, providing light snacks and beverages for the taxpayers and their children. Another best practice is “Mentor the New Volunteer”.
- Future Plans: Continue to open the site early in the season. Add additional days. Host events. Start the volunteer recruitment early in the year. Continue to advertise in surrounding communities. Reach out to more tribal members.
- Partner with other tribes.
- In 2020, NWIC will partner with the Swinomish tribe on an Adhoc basis. Then in 2021, the Swinomish tribe will have their own VITA program.
