A recap of our third annual Giving Blitz, September 21–25, 2026
Over the course of five days, we challenged the Tri-Cities to give in a unique and interactive way, and this community answered.
From the moment our presenting sponsor Amentum kicked off The Opening Drive on Monday morning to the final buzzer on Friday, the 2026 Giving Blitz brought together donors, local businesses, sponsors, staff, and clients for a week unlike any other. Thanks to the leadership of this year’s sponsors, we raised $32,760, 66% of our $50,000 goal, while turning everyday giving into something our whole community wanted to be part of.
Five Days, Five Stories
This year’s Blitz was built around the people CAA serves every day, not just the numbers behind them.
We met Tyson, a graduate of Opportunity Kitchen’s culinary program, now preparing meals for individuals at the Mid-Columbia Valley Center for Recovery. We met Tyler, who recently landed his first job as a busser at Red Robin through Employment Services, a man of few words whose smile said everything. We spent time with Kelly, who’s called the Community Center his second home for years, and heard directly from Joanna’s family about what belonging at Nexus Youth Club has meant for her and so many families like hers.
Each story connected back to a challenge, a sponsor, and a reason to give, five days that showed the full range of what CAA does, not just one piece of it.
The Challenges
Seven sponsor-backed challenges ran throughout the week, each designed to multiply the impact of community giving:
- The Opening Drive (Amentum) — matching the first $8,000 raised
- Sideline Support (Petersen Hastings) — unlocked through small business donations
- Triple Option (ICCU) — unlocked through donors across Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco
- The Hail Mary (Highstreet Insurance) — unlocked through 75+ social shares, and we hit it!
- Full Roster (Cornerstone Wealth Strategies) — unlocked at 100 total donations
- All-Star Lineup (1st Security Bank) — unlocked across Community Center, Nexus, Employment Services, and Opportunity Kitchen
- The Final Drive (Amazon) — matching donations on our final day
By the time the week wrapped, we’d met 4 of 7 challenges, and every single one of them helped bring more attention, more donors, and more support to CAA’s mission.
By the Numbers
Fundraising
- $32,760 raised, 66% of our $50,000 goal
- 66 donations processed
- 39% of donors were giving to CAA for the first time
Where the Support Went
Donors had the option to direct their gifts to a specific program:
- 39% Unrestricted
- 24% Community Center
- 21% Opportunity Kitchen
- 15% Employment Services
Social Media
- 59.7K impressions
- 2,572 interactions
- 104 new followers
- 80 posts across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok
Website
- 1,274 website visits
- 854 donation page visits
- 10 emails sent to 1,794 contacts
- 34% average open rate
- 7% average click-through rate
Media Coverage
We were proud to be featured by NewsRadio 610 KONA, Apple Valley ABC News Now, KEPR Action News, Tri-City Herald, Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, and Power 99.1, extending the Blitz’s reach far beyond our own channels.
Beyond the Numbers
The Giving Blitz has never really been about the dollar amount alone. It’s about proving, five days in a row, what happens when a community decides to show up for its neighbors.
This year, that meant Wheatstalk on the Water and Nana’s Kitchen donating a portion of their proceeds during give-back events. It meant CAA staff jumping in front of a camera to share honest moments from their week. It meant a football-themed celebration, complete with a CEO who kept his word and took a Gatorade shower to close out the week. And it meant local businesses, from Amentum to Amazon, standing behind this community in a very public, very generous way.
Thank You
To our 2026 Giving Blitz Challenge Sponsors, Amentum, Cornerstone Wealth Strategies, Amazon, 1st Security Bank, Highstreet Insurance, Petersen Hastings, and ICCU, thank you for your leadership and belief in this community.
To every donor, first-time and returning, thank you for showing up. To every business that gave back, every staff member who shared their story, and every neighbor who liked, commented, or shared a post, you are the reason the Giving Blitz works.
The Blitz may be over, but the need doesn’t stop with it. We’re always accepting donations to support Columbia Ability Alliance’s mission services, employment training, culinary programs, community connection, and youth support, across the Tri-Cities.
Cheer loud. Give louder. See you next year, Tri-Cities.
