Donor Spotlight: Herb Fackenthall
When Herb Fackenthall established his first charitable fund with the Columbia Basin Foundation in the late 90s, he was making a philanthropic decision that will last forever. In those days, he was hale and hardy doing what he loved—jumping in his old pickup truck and playing in the dirt. With a ball cap on and backhoe ready to rumble, he made his living operating his equipment.
As the executive director of the Columbia Basin Foundation, one of my responsibilities is fund management. We have 116 funds and each one has a special story to tell. The other day, I decided to do some digging of my own. In 2004, I was asked to join the CBF Board of Directors and they asked me to make sure fund owner, Herb Fackenthall of Coulee City, was visited and his fund was operating the way in which he designed it. So, Herb and I went to lunch at the Steamboat Rock Restaurant and visited about his fund and what he loved doing during his days. It was not too long before I knew he loved his backhoe and square dancing on Saturday nights. I also stopped by his home in Coulee City to chat and keep him posted on his scholarship fund. He did not miss an opportunity to show me his Victrola and talk about his love for the area. When it came time for our Celebrate CBF dinners at Cave B Winery each fall, I would make sure Herb had a ride, so he could enjoy a nice evening.
In July of 2008, Herb passed away, but his incredible legacy lives on in Coulee City. In his estate, he made the Columbia Basin Foundation the beneficiary of $749,035.15. The Herb Fackenthall designated fund has 4 recipients: The Coulee City Medical Clinic, Coulee City Senior Center, Town of Coulee City Maintenance Dept and the Herb Fackenthall Scholarship Fund. Since his fund’s inception, he has distributed $328,791.46. At the end of 2019, his fund had $837,532.01. I also ran a report on all the ACH scholarship recipients since 2006. He has awarded over 70 scholarships totaling $71,071.41. Herb may not have had any of his own children to put through college, but he is assisting students as they pursue their academic endeavors. The recipient list is long and such a testimony to his generosity and altruistic nature.
Before CBF was established in 1996, Herb had established a fund with the Greater Wenatchee Foundation which is now the Community Foundation of North Central Washington. They are a community foundation serving Douglas, Chelan and Okanogan Counties. Herb’s designated fund has distributed $250,000 for the Coulee City Fire Department and Ambulance for equipment and expenses above their budget.
A big thank you to Herb for believing in his community and giving his estate to Coulee City. His simple love for small-town living turned into an extraordinary legacy. His funds are giving, growing, and gaining ground every day! Herb is truly a hometown hero.
Herb Fackenthall Scholarship Fund recipients
Jessica Adams, Morgan Adams, Travis Bean, Brandon Boutain, Cory Boutain, Logan Braaten, Rebekah Bresee, Hayden Buchanan, Katie Buchanan, Mariah Burchill, Kendel Correia, Austin Dingman, Johnathan Dingman, Marcus Dingman, Emma Dingman, Dawson Dormaier, Alexander Dye, Zachary Dye, Brylee Edwards, Allison Fox, Giannantonio Giuliani II, Spencer Gloyn, Jared Goetz, Kameron Goetz, Matthew Gregson, Ryan Gregson, Danielle Hayes, Ava Heathman, Quade Henderson, Julianna Hughes, Gabrielle Isaak, Dallas Isaak, Derek Isaak, Drew Isaak, Madeline Isaak, Monique Isaak, Connor Jorgensen, Ian Jorgensen, Fiona Jorgensen, Dalton Kentner, Destinee Kneff-McGuckin, Boyd Knopp, Shelby Knopp, Danielle Larson, Janine Larson, Damian Maes-Leander, Karlee Martin, Tucker Matthewson, Sophie Matthewson, Cameron Moyer, William Moyer, Madelyn Murray, Caitlin O’Neil, Joselyn Pierce, Miranda Porterfield, Mikayla Rushton, Morgan Sample, Ryan Sample, Brayton Schafer, Kent Sieg, Cody Spurbeck, Kelsey Streeter, Shelby Streeter, Sean Syth, Jason Tilson, Curtis Visker, Chynna Wallin