Grants FAQ

Please check out the Grant Guidelines page for answers to many commonly-asked questions.

How do I know if my organization is eligible for a grant from OICF?
Charitable, qualified nonprofit organizations that serve Orcas Island are eligible to apply. If yours is not a nonprofit organization and you are proposing a community project that will benefit our community, you may be able to apply by partnering with a qualified organization.

What organizations are not eligible to receive grants?
OICF does not provide grants to individuals, to for-profit organizations, or to religious organizations if the monies would be used in whole or in part for religious purposes. Grants may not be used for political purposes. OICF does not award grants for fund-raising expenses or contribute to endowments. Organizations that discriminate on any prohibited basis may not apply.

Are grant applications limited to capital items only?
No. One-time capital items, special non-recurring expenditures, specific needs and special programs are given equal consideration.  In 2010, OICF will consider grant applications for a small percentage of an organization’s general operating budget if the applicant can demonstrate compelling and unusual need.

Does OICF favor applications for specific causes or types of projects?
OICF’s board reserves the right to concentrate our grant-making activities in specific areas of greatest need. However, grant distribution is determined through our assessment of community needs, and the merit and impact of individual projects.

What is required to apply for an operating expenses grant?

An organization applying for operating funds must, within the previous calendar year, have at least one representative (staff or current board member) attend a professional development training program relating to management, governance, fundraising or finance.  Training programs need not be OICF-sponsored.  If the organization has participated in Endow Orcas, that counts.  OICF will present a finance training program on February 26, 2010.  The organization must be able to discuss how it has applied the training to its operations.  If a nonprofit is unable to fulfill the training requirement, please contact OICF directly as we may be able to assist you.

Is there a limit to the number of grants my organization can receive from OICF?
No. OICF does not limit the number of grants it gives to individual nonprofit organizations. Occasionally, OICF may fund more than one project from the same organization in the same year.

Can my group apply for two different projects in the same year?
Yes. Each proposal is evaluated on its own merits.

My group’s project was funded last year; can we apply again for the same project?
Yes, but…. OICF does not provide recurring, sustaining funds for any given project. We understand that sometimes it takes more than one year to get a new program off the ground. If you believe that your project will fall into this category, please consider a multi-year plan so that you can apply for a multi-year grant. We hope to provide “start-up” funding that will enable organizations to find other sources of support in years to come.

How do I find out about the grants process and timeline for submission of a proposal?
You’re already in the right place! Please access the Grant Guidelines page on this website. You can also contact the Grants Committee Chairperson: Moana Kutsche at (360) 376-7087 or Send an Email! You can also contact our Executive Director, Hilary Canty, at (360) 376-6423 or Send an Email!

I’ve never written a grant before – Help!
OICF’s grant application process is among the easiest around. The Grant Application Form is simple to follow and asks for basic information about your organization and the project for which you need funding. The Grants Committee chairperson can assist you have questions or need help. If you would like someone to review a draft of your application before you submit it, please contact the chairperson (info above).

What is the deadline for the 2010 Community Endowment Fund grant cycle?
Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered no later than Monday, March 15, 2010. Drafts for pre-review must be e-mailed by March 1, 2010.

What happens next?
A member of the Grants Committee will contact you to schedule a meeting and site visit, if appropriate. The Committee meets in April to review and consider all applications. They make recommendations to OICF’s board, which approves the final grants list in early May. Successful organizations are notified shortly thereafter. Checks are distributed at the Grants Awards Ceremony, in late May or early June 2010.

Where does the money for grants come from?
Donors to OICF have several options for their donations, including two that go into the grants program. One option is the Community Endowment Fund, whose earnings are the primary source of annual grants money. Another is the Partners in Philanthropy program, which allows donors to either contribute directly to the yearly grants pool, or to select from a list of approved and ranked projects provided by the Grants Committee. These two sources of funds may be supplemented from OICF’s reserves.

What size grants does OICF give out?
While grants have ranged from $500 to $25,000, the average amount is $2,000 to $7,000. $10,000 is a fairly large grant for our competitive cycle.

How many grants do you fund?
In 2009, OICF funded 24 grants for a total of $113,000, including unrestricted donations to local charities selected by the 2009 high school class.  2009 saw 34 applicants.

What if my application asks for funding beyond OICF’s resources?
If your grant application is approved, OICF may chose to fund only part of the project total. We maintain a list of grants that are “Approved, Not Funded” – worthy programs and ideas for which we are unable to offer monetary support. This list will be publicized to our Donor Advised Fund holders and through local media, in the hopes of attracting other sources of funding.

What if my organization does not use all of the funds for the approved project, or the project is delayed or I want to change it?
Grants are provided by OICF for the specific purposes as stated in your application. Each project is weighed against all other proposals that year. If your project changes, or you do not require all of the funds awarded, you must contact the Grants Committee chair to discuss your situation. In most cases, excess or unused funds must be returned to OICF.

More Questions?
Please contact the Grants Committee Chairperson: Moana Kutsche at (360) 376-7087 or Send an Email! You can also contact our Executive Director, Hilary Canty, at (360) 376-6423 or Send an Email!