
Washington is one of the most giving states in America
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
Washington is giving.
Washington cares.
Washington should be proud.
Numbers collected by GoFundMe say that Washington is the eighth most giving state in the United States for 2023.
Clark County Today supports GoFundMe’s cause, and often posts GoFundMe Spotlights for people in need in Southwest Washington.
GoFundMe also highlighted some of the top fundraisers from our region.
The most money raised in Clark County was $70,000 from 500 donations when the community rallied to help a young Washougal girl battle cancer for the second time. That GoFundMe page can be found here: Help Isola’s Fight Against Cancer
Other fundraising highlights from 2023 in the area include: A Vancouver family raised more than $14,000 to help victims of the Maui wildfires: Our Lahaina ‘Ohana
The Skyview High School Booster Club raised $12,000 for the school’s robotics team: Skyview Robotics: Skyview Booster Club Fundraiser
And more than $10,000 was raised for a homeless advocate who was attacked at Esther Short Park in Vancouver: Esther Short Park Hero Fund
Clark County Today’s favorite photo of a GoFundMe in our area has to be of the dog appearing to operate a John Deere tractor, mowing the lawn at a local dog park. DOGPAW was raising funds for equipment to maintain its dog parks in the county: https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/gofundme-spotlight-dogpaw-has-maintenance-needs-for-off-leash-dog-parks/
According to GoFundMe’s data, this is the third consecutive year that Washington has been in the top 10 among most giving states. Olympia, by the way, was the eighth-most giving city in America, as well, per capita.
The most common donation amount was $50. But another number had a crazy increase this year. Call it the Taylor Swift Effect. In another example of this being the year of Taylor Swift, Swifties — her fans — often donated $13 to causes. That is Taylor Swift’s favorite number, and there were more than double the amount of $13 donations from last year to this year.
Also read:
- Opinion: Transit agencies need accountability not increased state subsidyCharles Prestrud argues that Washington transit agencies face rising costs and declining ridership due to governance structures that lack public accountability.
- Letter: ‘For years, American foreign policy too often felt like a blank check’Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi argues that the 2025 National Security Strategy marks a long-overdue shift toward clearer priorities, shared responsibility, and interest-based American leadership.
- POLL: Are you better off than you were a year ago?This week’s poll asks readers to reflect on their personal financial situation and whether they feel better off than they were a year ago as economic conditions continue to shift.
- Opinion: Does tailgating cause speeding?Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl examines whether tailgating contributes to speeding and explains why following too closely increases crash risk with little benefit.
- Opinion: ‘The Democrats’ part of the bargain’Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance reflects on a New Year’s Eve encounter and a Bill Maher commentary to assess what he sees as cultural and political changes from the past year.
- Free fares on New Year’s Eve is a big hit with C-TRAN ridersC-TRAN’s New Year’s Eve free-fare program provided extended late-night service and a safe transportation option for riders across Clark County just after midnight.
- Opinion: A year in review of news stories from a former sports guyClark County Today reporter Paul Valencia reflects on his evolving role, revisiting major news, community debates, sports moments, and human-interest stories that shaped Clark County in 2025.








