For nearly a century, the Firstenburg family has been deeply committed to serving Southwest Washington. E.W. and Mary Firstenburg formally established the Firstenburg Foundation in 2004, and their legacy of generosity continues through their family today.
The Firstenburg Foundation understands that housing instability affects far more than a family’s address—it undermines physical and mental well-being, disrupts communities, and can push individuals and families into homelessness.
They also recognize that smaller nonprofits and grassroots organizations are often best positioned to meet people where they are and provide timely, effective support. For this reason, the Firstenburg Foundation prioritizes generous grants to organizations already embedded in the community and working directly with those facing housing instability and homelessness.
Public schools are a critical access point for supporting students and families in need. At the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools, we partner closely with Vancouver Public Schools to respond to the needs of VPS families—many of whom experience housing instability. During the 2024–25 school year alone, more than 1,600 VPS students experienced homelessness.
The Firstenburg Foundation has generously awarded $50,000 to our Safe Haven program, which helps prevent eviction for families experiencing short-term financial hardship. Safe Haven supports families who are typically able to manage their expenses but face an unexpected crisis—such as a medical bill, job loss, or car repair—that puts their housing at risk.
Because the program focuses on families who can stabilize with short-term assistance, more than 90% of participants remain housed one year later.
Since its launch in 2014, Safe Haven has helped more than 1,080 families and 2,700 children remain stably housed. The Firstenburg Foundation’s grant represents a significant portion of the program’s annual budget, ensuring Safe Haven can continue serving as a vital safety net during challenging times—and allowing children to focus on learning, not survival.
To learn more about the Firstenburg Foundation’s history and impact, visit theffdn.org.
