Blog
Veteran’s Day
I ‘m back! I had a great couple of weeks, hiking the desert with Hank, three days with the Asset Development Alliance in Boston and then three days with Ry soaking in the brilliant fall colors in New England. Happily back on Orcas enjoying the slide into the damp and...
OICF Open House November 30
Come check out our new space! We will host an open house Friday, November 30th from 3-6 PM. Stop by to see our new office and conference room. We are at 33 Urner Street, Unit #4 - across the parking lot from Wild Island. Hope you can swing by to say hi. Hilary, Megan,...
Affordable Housing for Orcas
The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) recognizes that access to affordable housing is the most pressing need currently facing the Orcas community. When our workforce, our seniors, and our young families can’t find places to live, the entire community suffers....
Investing in Community
If you have been curious about the benefits of investing in your local Community Foundation, I welcome you to join us at the OICF stakeholders investment meeting, Wednesday, October 17, 4:30-6:30 at the Eastsound Fire Hall. Dave Drews and Mike Milojevich from...
Call for Submissions
Nonprofits serving Orcas Island: Information regarding OICF's 2018 Holiday Catalog Call for Submissions is now online! The deadline for submissions is 5 pm on November 16, 2018. Please contact us if you have questions. Mark your calendar for our Grantee Info Meeting...
Tiny House Sale
The Tiny House is on the auction block! This project was the brainchild of Mark Padbury, Brett MacFarland, Jill Sherman, and teachers at Orcas Island High School. They applied for a $30,000 grant in 2016 with a plan to take their woodworking, applied physics, and...
Hospital Taxing District Commissioners making progress
I recently facilitated the public forum hosted by the Hospital Taxing District commissioners. They provided a thorough update on their efforts to develop a plan and a budget for sustainable medical services for the community. They are deep into assessing needs and...
Feeling the Love!
We moved! While not fully unpacked, we are fully in our new offices and WE LOVE IT! This building is such a wonderful gift. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the Volk Family, the Henigsons, and the community as a whole. The space is open, light, and surrounded by...
What a Pain
I had a root canal this week. It was quite the experience. It has been painful and was amazingly expensive. But I was lucky. I have a good dentist who got me in quickly and I had some savings. But it all made me think about the folks in this community who are not so...
Community Support
One of my neighbors has breast cancer. She was pretty scared when they discovered it. She works as a caregiver, so becoming the one cared for was challenging, but she eventually opened up to the support of many friends. Every other week, a volunteer flies her over to...