Blog
Keep your rain boots handy!
It has been mighty wet. This photo is of the gangway that normally connects to the shoreline at Cascade Lake. It would be a swim to get there now. Yikes! There is promise of a few days of “less” rain before the next front arrives. If you have not yet hiked up to see...
A song in the air
Marilyn Anderson’s spirit was alive and roaming on Orcas this month when her legacy gifts were sent to 19 local nonprofits of her selection. The Orcas Island Community Foundation was deeply honored to be included. The OICF Board is working on a plan for the funds that...
Call for Proposals
OICF is excited to announce a call for proposals for the 2020 spring GiveOrcas grant program. Any nonprofit serving Orcas Island is invited to apply now through March 6, 2020 to be included. Applications will be vetted by the OICF Grants Committee; successful...
Midpoint check in
Kate, Susan Singleton (chair of the OICF Grants Committee), and I conducted midpoint check ins with those organizations that received over $10,000 in grant funding in 2019. These meetings provide an opportunity to hear about the impact and progress that community...
The Gift of Service
I received my pin for 20 years of service at the Annual Awards Celebration for Orcas Island Fire and Rescue on Jan. 18th. I am the last one still serving from my class (pictured above--can you spot me???). I was so surprised; I would have never guessed that I would...
25 years of service
The Orcas Island Community Foundation will mark our 25th anniversary this year. OICF was started in 1995 by a small team of committed community members who wanted a better way to facilitate philanthropic efforts on the island. Many had been involved in building the...
Happy New Year!
2019 finished off in a whirlwind here at OICF. Jennifer completed over 60 donor advised grants for year end gifts in the last few days. All in all, OICF distributed a total of $3,191,000 in grants, making for a record year. When I look around the community, I can see...
Peace
I enjoyed a Solstice Hike around Cascade Lake on Sunday, Dec. 22nd and managed to see this amazing sunset. It was breathtaking. Orcas is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. We are so fortunate to call it home. As we come to the end of the year, I send you...
Keeping the light shining
My heart is full. In fact, my cup runneth over, as I have found myself weeping happy tears on several occasions this week. The generosity and care of so many people in this community shines bright these days. The GiveOrcas Holiday Catalog has exceeded our...
What a Year!
Wow! Unique Donor Day was WILD! 532 donations for a total of $17,900- a new record! Congratulations to Friends of Moran, who won first place with 76 donors and the $1000 grand prize. The Early Childhood Education Initiative and Hearts and Hands (the Senior Center)...