Lake Chelan Community Center Receives Transformational $4 Million Gift
Donation to complete the gymnasium and performing arts center.
$2 million community matching fund to secure the center's future announced.
LAKE CHELAN, WA — The Seven Acres Foundation today announced a landmark $4 million donation, propelling the Lake Chelan Community Center toward completion and strengthening its long-term financial stability.
The gift will fund the complete construction of The Community Center's gymnasium and performing arts center—one of its most anticipated features—while securing naming rights for the family. Half of the pledge will be provided immediately, with the remainder contributed over time.
Board members described the donation as a "game changer," not only for what it builds but for the financial flexibility it creates. Unlike grant funding, which often carries costly requirements such as prevailing wage mandates and LEED certifications, this direct gift allows the foundation to avoid unnecessary expenses and potentially add more features within the same budget.
2 million matching grant announced.
In addition, the donor family has challenged the community to join them in supporting the project by offering a $2 million matching grant tied to the October Golden Hour Gala held on Saturday, October 4th, and extending through the fourth quarter of 2025. If fully met, the challenge will generate an additional $4 million by year's end, dedicated to paying down existing debt, building a new pickleball facility, and ensuring the center's long-term operations.
Originally envisioned as a $10 million project, the Lake Chelan Community Center's costs more than doubled to over $20 million due to inflation, supply chain disruptions, and rising interest rates. To keep the vision alive, board members personally contributed over two-thirds of the project's funding.
The announcement of the donation was met with deep gratitude. "The timing is perfect," said board member Kyle Plew. "This gift brings not only critical resources but also encouragement that we're on the right path. It feels like an answer to prayers."
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude for this extraordinary generosity," said Brooke Isaak, President of the Seven Acres Foundation Board. "This gift is so much more than dollars and construction progress—it is a vote of confidence in the vision for this center and the future of our valley. The support ensures that our gymnasium and performing arts center will not only be built, but will become a place where children, families, and neighbors can gather, grow, and celebrate together. Their belief in this project is both humbling and inspiring, and it will ripple through the community for generations to come."
The donor family expressed their hopes for the center's future, saying: "We're thrilled to see the Chelan Community Center growing and thriving! Helping people connect with one another and explore faith in God is more important than ever, and we're excited to see the Community Center serving this vital role for generations to come."
With this gift, the Lake Chelan Community Center is poised to transition from construction to completion of phase two, providing a hub for recreation, wellness, education, and community connection. The board is now focused on rallying the wider community to meet the $2 million match and ensure the center thrives for generations to come.
About Seven Acres Foundation
The Seven Acres Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening community life in the Lake Chelan Valley. Guided by values of stewardship, generosity, and connection, the foundation is leading the development of the Lake Chelan Community Center to serve as a hub for recreation, education, wellness, and cultural enrichment.
About the Lake Chelan Community Center
The Lake Chelan Community Center is a 44,000-square-foot facility designed to meet the growing needs of the valley. Featuring a gymnasium and performing arts center, pickleball courts, meeting spaces, technology resources, and areas for youth and family programs, the center provides opportunities for people of all ages to connect, grow, and thrive.
For more information about the Seven Acres Foundation and the Lake Chelan Community Center, please visit www.chelancommunity.org or contact Maribel Cruz at maribel@chelancommunity.org.