Strong communities are built by people who choose to engage, learn, and lead, and this fall we have several ways to support that work on Orcas.
In August, Eric Liu visited Orcas Island for our National Nonprofit Day program, Beyond the Echo Chamber: Strengthening Civic Culture on Orcas Island. His message about listening across differences and taking part in civic life resonated with everyone in the room. If you missed it, or want to revisit the conversation, the video recording is now available online.
Civic culture also depends on the people and organizations doing the day-to-day work, and investing in their growth is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the whole community. That’s why we’re pleased to congratulate the recipients of our Leadership, Excellence, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) Grant Program. The recent round of summer grants awarded a total of $42,113 to 12 organizations. The LEAD Grant Program was created to support access to professional and leadership development opportunities for Orcas Island-based nonprofits, and we’re proud to see these organizations investing in their people.
Over the summer, the Foundation also conducted a Nonprofit Compensation & Operations Survey, intended to help nonprofit leaders serving Orcas Island benchmark compensation, benefits, and staffing practices against local peers. The report is now also available on the nonprofit resources page of OICF website.
Fall is a perfect time to get engaged, meet new people, and take part in shaping the future of the organizations you care about. If you’re considering joining a board, or recently joined one and want to refresh your knowledge, please join us for our Introduction to Board Service Workshop on Wednesday, October 28, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Emmanuel Church’s Parish Hall. This free workshop covers basic board responsibilities, effective practices, and how to find the right board for you to serve on.
The Foundation’s work is supported by our Community Cornerstones, who are committed to the importance of cultivating charitable giving and community partnerships that create lasting solutions to local challenges. If this sounds like a commitment you are ready to make, we invite you to join us with a leadership gift today. The Foundation Fund also welcomes gifts of any size.
Whether you’re listening, learning, or stepping into a new role, thank you for helping build a community where leadership is shared.
Lindsay
Lindsay Jennings
Executive Director
Orcas Island Community Foundation
lindsay@oicf.us
360.376.6423