Remembering Lynn

On June 17th, 2026 Lynn Everroad passed away after battling cancer. In honor of her memory and 26 years of working with Gorge Community Foundation the board and Lynn’s family have worked together to create “Lynn’s Fund.” Lynn’s Fund will go directly to continuing to support Gorge Community Foundation and our mission.

“Lynn's family will forever miss her one-of-a-kind persona but are incredibly proud of...and comforted by...her profoundly meaningful work in the Gorge. From childhood on, she was known for being protective of the "little guy" and those in need, especially in the educational arena. That very passion forged the GCF into being. It is their fervent hope that Lynn's Fund will help change lives forever.” ~ Andy Taylor, Lynn’s sister

If you knew Lynn, worked with her or were directly impacted by her work with GCF please consider a donation in her memory. Please use the link below for online donations or send a check to our address listed at the bottom of this newsletter with “Lynn’s Fund” in the memo section. For a limited time donations up to $35k will be matched.

Memories of Lynn

Lynn impacted many people over the course of her life. Below are a few quotes from board members and fundholders.

“We had a very long phone call, our last one, about 3 weeks before she passed. I simply let her talk. She mostly shared her health situation and last desires with me. But……Lynn’s parting words to me, the only thoughts she shared about the outside world in the entire conversation, were the following:

“Lisa, I’m amazed at the kindness, love, and goodness around me and in the world. People really just want peace and kindness, nothing else. Every individual just wants to be loved and to practice kindness, no matter politics. There’s so much good in the world!”

She shared so very much goodness and generosity throughout her life and from her last thoughts to me, I know that Lynn is indeed resting in peace. It has all come back to her, so beautifully.” ~ Lisa Neuburger, GCF Board Member

"I had the utmost admiration for Lynn, and appreciation of what she brought to our Gorge communities through the Foundation. She patiently assisted me in thinking through how to start a donor assisted fund instead of my own family foundation, and was there every step of the way with support over all the years so far of The Salvador Fund, never making me feel "high maintenance" even though The Salvador Fund's process is unique within GCF and requires lots of steps. Lynn was a wonderful person, a hard worker ....and a visionary." ~ Tina Castaneras

“Whenever Lynn and I would have occasion to talk about GCF business we would inevitably end up talking about books, mysteries in particular. Lynn was an avid reader of mysteries and had an enviable collection of first editions.” ~ Tom Schaefer, GCF Board Member

“Not many people decide to become nonprofit founders. It is a unique individual who looks upon the world and instead of focusing on personal gain or profit, they choose to try to make it better for those around them. Lynn was one of those people. She will be missed, but has left behind a legacy that will echo through the Gorge for generations.” ~ Tucker Szymkowicz, GCF Executive Director

Link to Lynn’s Obituary in the Columbia Gorge News

If you have a memory of Lynn, you would like to share please feel free to send them to me at tucker@gorgecf.org.

Honoring a Visionary: A Special Thanks to Lynn Everroad

By: Jill Burnette

In 1998, a small group of Gorge leaders had a bold idea - to launch a community foundation to help support the place they loved not just once, but into perpetuity. The group was led by Lynn Everroad, a fundraising professional with broad experience and deep affection for the Gorge. The skeptics were many. Specialists approached about the idea said that a region of fewer than 80,000 people couldn't support a community foundation. Others said the concentration of wealth wasn't great enough - or that there was too much competition. Still others contended that it was too complex to organize across Washington and Oregon lines, navigating each state's tax regulations.

Nevertheless, as the saying goes, she persisted, and the Gorge Community Foundation was born in 1998, making its first grants in 2001. Lynn knocked on doors, signed up neighbors, canvassed for donations of $5, $10 and $100, and encouraged many who might otherwise have sent their donations elsewhere to create their own donor advised funds and focus their giving where they lived. Lynn and an active, engaged Board of Directors recruited members from GCF's six-county service area on both sides of the Columbia River.

As the Operations Director and a founding and continuing member of the Board of Directors, Lynn watched the Gorge Community Foundation grow from a seedling to a $11 million powerhouse, distributing over $500,000 each year in grants and scholarships to Gorge-area non profits including arts and culture, education, social services, environment, youth, senior services, and to students throughout the six-county service area.

Lynn recently retired as Operations Director and her replacement, Mary Nicolet, shares a passion for non-profit, community based organizations and brings broad financial and operational experience. With Mary as the new Operations Director and Tucker Szymkowicz as Executive Director, GCF is ready for its next phase of growth. Lynn remained on as a board member until her passing and will always be a cherished and respected part of the Gorge Community Foundation history. With enormous gratitude and sadness, the board, staff, donor advisors and friends of GCF salute our friend Lynn Everroad.