Summer Sunset Over Orcas Island
In these final weeks of summer, a common question we ask each other is “how has your summer been?” Often the answer includes a mix of exhaustion and joy, and a bit of sadness and excitement for the turning of the season.
Summer is the high season for many island nonprofits, holding galas, camps, concerts, and providing supportive services to more people than at any other time of year. At the Foundation, in addition to cheering on our nonprofit partners during this busy time, our summer has been focused on strategizing and planning for the future.
We have begun a strategic planning process to evaluate and expand our role in supporting community well-being and local nonprofits. To adapt to the needs of the island, we are listening, learning and collecting a wide variety of ideas and voices through formal and informal meetings and surveys. Please look out for an invitation to participate next week – we’d love to hear your insight about the needs of the community as we shape our priorities for the years ahead.
As we look forward, we’re also focused on the short term. We received a great response from the nonprofit community about two of our recent initiatives. Based on feedback and ideas collected over the past few months, we are mapping out new training, workshops and resources aimed at building nonprofit capacity, board leadership, and organizational health in the coming seasons. Coupled with a great response to our new LEAD Grant Program that will provide funding for professional development for nonprofit staff, we’re positioning the sector to be stronger than ever.
If you want in on the action, please consider contributing your resources, time and expertise to help lift your neighbors up, and build resiliency for the future. I’m more than happy to help strategize with you about how to get involved.
Cheers to many more sunny days ahead!
Lindsay
Lindsay Jennings
Executive Director
Orcas Island Community Foundation
lindsay@oicf.us
360.376.6423