The nonprofit space is notoriously tricky, and in fact, the vast majority of nonprofits fail in the first five years. In 2017, I started The Writers Guild as a way to bring writers together and create literary arts events. In October, we held Astoria’s first creative writing festival, featuring Karl Marlantes and a myriad other talented local authors. This event would not have been possible without tremendous community support.

I want to recognize the wonderful individuals in this community who share their time and talents by serving on nonprofit boards. Also, credit is owed to local businesses that so generously support our work, including Fulio’s, Winekraft, RiverSea Gallery, Imogen Gallery, Liberty Theatre, Columbian Theater, Hotel Elliott — to name just a few (full list at thewritersguild.org).

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the work done by our group called 100 Women Who Care Clatsop County. This group of women get together quarterly and vote on a nonprofit to support. Then they each donate $100 to this chosen organization — their efforts resulting in more than $10,000 for these groups. Thanks to 100 Women, we were able to offer scholarships to our event, as well as partner with our local high school to provide assistance to students as they revise their essays for college applications.

Astoria and the surrounding area are benefited in many ways by the role our local nonprofits play, but without the many people and organizations that support them, they would not be able to do the work they do.

MARIANNE MONSON

Astoria