Blog

Annual check up

Annual check up

I returned from my vacation and jumped directly into our audit. For many folks this might sound like a complete buzz kill, but I actually look forward to the scrutiny. I like the reassurance that oversight brings, knowing that our systems are working, we are compliant...

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And away we go!

And away we go!

March 8 is the deadline for the 2019 Give Orcas proposals. So far, we have received over $245k in requests from 24 programs. These include a mix of new applicants seeking seed funding for start-up projects as well as capacity building requests from organizations that...

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GiveOrcas gets rolling

GiveOrcas gets rolling

OICF hosted the kick off meeting for the 2019 GiveOrcas campaign on February 21. We had representatives from about 30 organizations. It will be interesting to see how many submit proposals. At the meeting, we announced our plans for a single focus GiveOrcas campaign...

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Willis loves the snow

Willis loves the snow

Well, it has been quite the week. Orcas got enough snow to shut the school down for five days. We had to resort to the Navy for a few medical evacuations. Roads went from snow covered to ice and have now turned to slush.  Thankfully, the County road crew has been out...

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Yikes!

Yikes!

Our balmy January has given way to a frigid February. The temperature dropped just as the Northeastern winds kicked into high gear the weekend of Feb. 2.  For those of us who live on the Eastside of Orcas, Sunday night was scary with flying debris hitting the roof and...

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Happy February

Happy February

This has been a big week of grant review conversations here at OICF. We have been meeting with all of the grantees who received $10,000 or more, eight groups in all. It is a chance for us to hear how the programs we invested in are progressing and learn about any...

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Call for Applications

Call for Applications

OICF is excited to announce a call for proposals for the 2019 GiveOrcas Grant Program. Any nonprofit serving Orcas Island is invited to apply now through March 8, 2019 for an Annual Grant. Applications will be vetted by the OICF Grants Committee; successful...

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Getting Prepared

Getting Prepared

Maybe it is a sign of the political times, but disaster preparedness seems to be in the air on Orcas these days. Island Market just installed a gigantic generator and the Food Coop is planning to do the same. Several neighborhoods have formed committees to plan for...

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Inspiring

Inspiring

I bought this illustration of Dr. Martin Luther King for myself a Christmas gift this year. It was done by an artist from Port Townsend and will hang in my office to remind me daily of the value of language to inspire and the gift that service has brought to my life....

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Building Community Capacity

Building Community Capacity

OICF is kicking off 2019 with a capacity building workshop for local nonprofits. Mazarine Treyz from Wild Woman Fundraising and Leadership will present ‘How to Keep Your Donors’, Thursday, January 17 from 1-5 PM at the Emmanuel Episcopal Hall. Cost is $10 per person;...

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