Kicking Off The Season of Generosity & Light As the daylight hours get shorter, I find myself looking for new sources of light. Light in the literal sense, with cozy fires and candles, or the metaphorical, with seasonal gatherings, gratitude, and giving...

The Many Hats We Wear We all wear multiple hats. We may be parents, professionals, teachers, volunteers, aunties and uncles, activists, emergency responders, coaches, board members, artists, and more. We often approach these roles in different ways and reap different...

Hooray for nonprofits with the 6th grade class! Bright Lights Wow, what a shining display of auroras last night - I hope you stepped outside to see the northern lights! What a treat! I brought some treats to the public school 6th-grade class yesterday. I was a bit...

The shift into autumn is in full swing – a few less visitors, sweaters and boots out of storage, forest fungi popping up, new restaurant hours. I’m excited to tour island farms this weekend and get together with friends who have been busy with travel and guests all...

quiet moment at obstruction pass state park It's All Connected It struck me how interconnected we are this week, and how much progress – and joy – can come from these connections. The many nonprofits on Orcas exist because a few neighbors got together at some point to...

This week's message from our Board Chair, Susan Gudgell September Light The autumnal equinox is this weekend…I find the light in the islands especially beautiful this time of year. Many of us breathe a sigh of relief as the lively pace of summer slows and we return to...

Always Learning As I’ve started to learn more about the various funds held at OICF and the amazing number of generous donors in our community, it occurred to me that many other community members might not know much about OICF or about opportunities for philanthropy on...

New Beginnings Greetings Orcas Island Community! It’s been a big week for many of us islanders with the unofficial ending of the summer season, the first week of school, and an abundance of dahlias and veggies to harvest. For me, this also coincides with stepping into...