Welch Cabin and the Make It Foundation

Oct 25, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Aug 1

Wooded cabin with teal metal roofs and deck, outdoor table and chairs, nestled on a hillside among trees in sunlight

The Foundation and the Property

The Make It Foundation (the Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has owned Welch Cabin since 2019. The 19 acres include old-growth forest, riparian rights for private Kalama River access, and a restored mountain cabin protected by a full conservation easement with the Columbia Land Trust that limits future development. The Foundation's mantra is Protect, Promote, Preserve.

Sunlit forest river viewed through mossy trees from a dark wooden deck railing, with green water below.

Origin of the Gift

Welch Cabin began as a family retreat; the land and cabin were hand-built and managed as a family effort. In 2019, our family gifted the property to the Foundation. The cabin now operates as an income-producing short-term rental. A portion of proceeds covers direct out-of-pocket operating costs, and the balance funds local charitable health and conservation causes.

Man sits in a cozy wood-paneled cabin, looking at a phone beside a glowing wood stove and mounted deer art.

Stays, Gifts, and Tax Treatment

The 501(c)(3) exemption belongs to the Foundation; Welch Cabin is property the Foundation owns and operates. Payment for a stay purchases lodging and is not a tax-deductible charitable contribution. A direct gift to the Foundation, made separately from any stay, is a charitable contribution deductible to the extent the law allows. Donors should confirm the treatment of any gift with their own tax advisor.

Aerial view of a small cabin and deck hidden in dense green trees beside a fast-flowing river with whitewater.

Community Engagement

The Foundation focuses on local health and environmental stewardship, grounded in shared missions with the Columbia Land Trust, the Mt. St. Helens Institute, Battle Ground Health Care, and schools and universities throughout the community. Local charities offer donated cabin stays as fundraising auction items. Private businesses use the property for employee rewards and business entertainment, and guests come for fly fishing, hiking, or a remote working weekend. The Foundation is fully supported by income from Welch Cabin operations and private gifts.