Blog
Orcas Islanders are Among the Most Generous in the Nation
Thanks to the contributions and investments made by many friends and neighbors the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) has been recognized for being #4 in the nation for gifts per capita in 2016. OICF also was lauded for being the 19th nationally for distribution...
Elders in the garden class at Orcassong Farm
Orcasong Farm will offer seven weekly hands-on classes to Orcas Elders, 55 and better, to help you understand the benefits of supporting Island farmers and encourage the choice, and use, of locally-grown foods. SOURCE: Islands' Sounder | Elders in the garden class at...
Coho Preserve Hike; Mental Health Services
The first sector meeting was a great success, despite the weather. Twenty folks braved the rain and enjoyed the new Coho preserve hike yesterday afternoon. We then trekked to Coleen’s house to enjoy her roaring fire and learn more about the efforts of the Land Bank,...
Our Schools: a Reflection of our Community
I just returned from the Celebration of Success, the scholarship and awards ceremony for the High School Seniors. What a remarkable event! Scholarships totaling over $100,000 were awarded and it is fair to say that a few lives were changed by these awards. Tomorrow is...
OICF Hosts Nonprofit Workshop and Webinars
As part of our capacity building efforts, OICF has three upcoming workshops/webinars, including an all-day event with Susan Howlett on Fundraising. Howlett writes about her workshop, “You’re doing important work and you’re doing it well, but you could use more help...
GiveOrcas Awards Celebration
All 25 grant proposals vetted and approved have been fully funded this year! Wow, that’s $224,000 to island nonprofits. THANK YOU ORCAS! View the list of grantees.
Give Orcas 2017 achieves full funding
For the very first time every proposal submitted to the Give Orcas Grant Catalog will be fully funded.The Orcas Island Community Foundation is grateful to all who contributed to this year’s successful campaign. SOURCE: Islands' Sounder | Give Orcas 2017...
Suffering in the San Juans: Homeless in paradise
Fifty-eight. That’s how many people were identified as homeless in San Juan County by the point in time census this past January. An additional 46 people were at risk of becoming homeless. SOURCE: Islands' Sounder | Suffering in the San Juans: Homeless in paradise
Tiny house movement comes to Orcas High School: Students build a house on wheels
Small homes are popping up all over the country, and a group of Orcas High School students have spent the past year constructing their own.At 14 feet tall, 160 square feet and resting on a trailer that was built to highway specifications, the tiny house is solid and...
Velma Doty is Orcas Island Community Foundation’s 2016 ‘Flat Person’
The Orcas Island Community Foundation revealed the ‘Flat Person’ who will champion our 2016 GiveOrcas Campaign. After a week of online guessing, Chamber of Commerce Director Lance Evans revealed “Flat Velma,” a full-size cardboard cutout of Velma Doty. SOURCE:...