Today, we are sharing some difficult news.
Due to sweeping state-level budget cuts impacting nonprofits across Washington, a significant portion of our funding has been eliminated. These cuts have directly affected two of our cornerstone programs: Financial Aid Completion Support and QuickStart to College, forcing us to make some incredibly challenging decisions.
As a result, we will be reducing staff and scaling back services for the 2025–2026 school year. These changes are not just organizational, they are deeply personal. The impact is real and human, touching beloved members of our team as well as the students and communities we serve.
While this moment is hard, we are actively pursuing alternative funding sources to rebuild what has been lost and continue to support the college and career dreams of our students. We are committed to doing everything in our power to keep showing up, even if in new and reimagined ways.
The hardest part of this transition is saying goodbye to members of our incredible team. Regina Reid and Rodrigo Ortiz Mendoza have been more than colleagues; they’ve been the heart of our mission and trusted partners to countless students, families, and school communities. Their contributions have been profound and will be long-lasting.
While Rodrigo will be continuing his educational journey at WWU as a student and continuing a work-study position, Regina has received our support through a letter of recommendation from FuturesNW for any future opportunities she may pursue. Regina has also started a business, Bug and Peg LLC, and we look forward to supporting her work and are cheering her on in every way imaginable. Regina welcomes your continued connection and can be reached at Regina@bugandpeg.com.
We invite you to join us in lifting them up by sharing job opportunities, writing messages of support, or simply reaching out with kindness. Below, you’ll find their bios and photos as a small way to honor and recognize the impact they’ve made.
Regina Reid: Support Services Program Manager
Education has opened many doors for me! Consequently, I'm passionate about helping others access its benefits. As a first-generation college student, I’m grateful for the family and community support that helped me navigate higher education, which is also why I appreciate the work of FuturesNW so much. I hold a Bachelor's in Agricultural Business Economics, which led to a corporate management career early on. Later, I earned a Master's in English & Language Literature/Poetry, driven by my love for reading and writing. I'm originally from Michigan, the Great Lakes State. After teaching English Composition in the U.S., I transitioned to teaching ESL abroad, working in Mongolia, Costa Rica, and China. I'm still hoping to build fluency in both Spanish and Mandarin.
Rodrigo Ortiz Mendoza: Support Services Program Assistant
Hi! My name is Rodrigo Ortiz Mendoza. I graduated from Blaine High School in 2022. I am currently attending Western Washington University pursuing a degree in Business with a concentration in Management Information Systems. I am very excited to be working with FNW and getting to play a part in helping our students and community. In my spare time, I enjoy playing and watching soccer. I am a huge Real Madrid Fan. But what I like most is spending my time with my fiancé who is currently over 2600 miles away! However, we never let that get in the way. Watching movies (scary ones to be specific) and just talking about our day is my favorite part of my day. I am really excited about what the future holds for me and look forward with a smile on my face :)
Programmatic Changes for the 2025–2026 School Year
What FNW Will Continue to Offer:
Virtual Financial Aid Events: Multi-school online sessions.
Virtual Parent/Student Support: Available in a limited capacity.
Financial Aid "Train the Trainer" Events: In collaboration with colleges and WSAC partners.
FutureBot Texting Services: Continuing with pilot schools from 2024–2025.
Limited Daytime Mentor Support: Focused on FAFSA/WASFA completion and college application navigation.
Learning with Leaders: Fully funded and continuing!
November 2025 at SVC
February 2026 at BTC
April 2026 at WCC
QuickStart to College 2025: This summer’s camp will run as planned.
From One to Many Program: Ongoing support for tribal students at Lummi Nation and Ferndale High School.
Lummi Nation School Only: Bi-weekly virtual career exploration workshops will continue.
What FNW Can No Longer Provide:
In-Person Financial Aid Event Support: FNW will no longer coordinate or lead evening events, including volunteer coordination, food, printed materials, or marketing.
Local College Financial Aid Completion Events: Calendly and in-person sessions/events with current college students will be on pause till further notice.
QuickStart to College 2026: Paused, with hopes to return in 2027.
Event Tabling: Subject to staff and material availability.
Staffing Reductions: As shared above, some of our team members will be transitioning out due to the budget cuts.
While the year ahead will look different, our mission remains the same. We are still here, and still committed to partnering with you to support students in meaningful, if more limited, ways. If you’d like to connect or brainstorm new approaches with the resources we still have, or have funding opportunities to share, please schedule time with Ashley via Calendly.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership during this difficult time. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our community, even as we adjust to new realities. If you feel compelled to donate to our organization at this time, we welcome your support.