Nonprofits in Moscow, ID, and Pullman, WA, Make Region a Better Place to Live

Courtesy of the Community Action Center

The Palouse is community oriented, something evidenced by the collaboration of area nonprofits in Moscow and Pullman, many of whom are part of the Nonprofit Alliance, an arm of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce. 

“Though we’ve met for almost 15 years, in September, the Nonprofit Alliance transitioned into a partnership with the Moscow Chamber as a committee that represents regional nonprofit organizations,” says Jamie Jovanovitch-Walker, co-chair of the Nonprofit Alliance at the Moscow Chamber.

“We seek to bring together nonprofit professionals, board members, staff, interested parties, and our business community to bring awareness to the fact that nonprofits are a vital part of the economy, tourism and the community, and give them a little more visibility,” she says.

Several nonprofits in Moscow and Pullman not only support the Palouse region, but allow residents to get involved and give back. Despite the area’s rural surroundings and small population, there are hundreds of nonprofits working for change throughout the area:

Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse

Supporting victims of domestic violence, assault and abuse since 1980, the organization operates a 24-hour phone or in-person crisis intervention and emergency shelter, offers legal and medical advocacy, provides individual and group support, and supplies information, referral and community education.

United Way of Whitman County

The United Way’s massive network supports education, income, health and mobilizing community resources in its endeavors. Locally, it’s known for participation in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which gives books and literacy support for early readers.

Courtesy of the Community Action Center

Community Action Center

Located in Pullman, Washington, Community Action Center helps locals find housing, weatherize homes, assists with energy bills and hosts a food bank. The organization also offers life skills classes for adults with topics like cooking or budgeting, plus a community garden.

Food for Pullman

Since 2021, Food for Pullman has hosted an annual event that provides the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner to hundreds of local families. The organization also provides food to the WSU Cougar Food Pantry.

Palouse Habitat ReStore

Part of Habitat for Humanity, Habitat ReStores are home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home goods, building materials, appliances and more.

Palouse Cares

Started in 2006 as a multi-community effort dedicated to the well-being of regional children, Palouse Cares now hosts donation drives that organize food and personal care items for local food banks to help alleviate food insecurity.

Inland Oasis

Providing support for the region’s LGBTQ+ community and allies, Moscow-based Inland Oasis offers educational, social, and health programming including a food pantry, community center, emergency funds and social activities like game nights. The organization is now remodeling a space into a community center, garden and commercial kitchen.