LEADing into Summer

Orcas Island is abuzz with activity as the summer season picks up, and it’s a jam-packed month at the Foundation as well, reflected in the news we share today.

Last week, I had the honor of helping the Orcas Island High School senior class present the annual Youth Philanthropy Awards at the Celebration of Success ceremony. For 20 years, this program has empowered the senior class to award grants to Orcas Island nonprofits, supported by a generous donor. This year’s awards included:

$3000 – Mercy Flights
$2500 – The Funhouse Commons
$2500 – Orcas Island Resource Center
$1000 – San Juan Preservation Trust
$500 – OI Booster Club
$500 – OIHS Art Program Materials

The Foundation was honored to give this opportunity to these young leaders to learn about the impact they can make and the joy that comes with giving back to their community. Contributions are welcome to support this program in the future.

LEAD Grant Program Application Now Open  
Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for OICF’s Leadership, Excellence, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) Grant funding to support continuing education and professional development programs that strengthen their team’s leadership skills and promote organizational effectiveness. The application process, guidelines and eligibility requirements are available on the OICF website.

The program was created in an effort to support professional development for Orcas Island-based nonprofit organizations and was launched in Summer 2025. In the first year, 26 LEAD grants totaling $65,688 were awarded to local nonprofits for staff and board members to attend conferences, participate in professional development collaborations and receive crucial training in order to build the capacity to meet the ever-changing needs of islanders.

LEAD Grants are made possible by generous donations to the Hilary Canty Leadership Fund, which was established to provide educational and experiential opportunities for those interested in improving their understanding of the leadership skills practiced by successful nonprofits, and to the Marilyn Anderson Excellence Fund, which was established to promote nonprofit excellence. Contributions are welcome at www.oicf.us/donate.

OICF Board of Trustees Updates
The OICF Board of Trustees held its annual meeting to elect new trustees and officers, and recognize retiring trustees for their valuable service. The OICF Board of Trustees would like to recognize and thank outgoing trustees:

Marshall Sebring, who has provided valuable expertise to the OICF Investment Committee during his service, and Paul Sheridan, who served on the Board for 10 years, and as Chair of the Investment Committee for the last few years. We are grateful that both Paul and Marshall will remain involved as members of the Investment Committee.

New Trustees:
Heidi Bruce, who currently serves on the OICF Capacity Building Committee and has worked on behalf of marginalized populations and issues for over twenty years. Heidi has served on several Orcas Island nonprofit boards, taught Spanish at OIHS, and is the Aging and Family Case Coordinator for San Juan County Senior Services.

Jon Finney, who brings deep knowledge in investment and finance to the Foundation, currently serving as a Managing Director of the North American Investment Manager Research team within the Wealth Management practice of the Bank of Montreal. Jon has served on multiple for-profit and not-for-profit advisory boards and committees, and will serve as the new Chair of the Investment Committee.

2026-2027 Officers:
Minor Lile, Chair
Mary Clure, 1st Vice-Chair
Patricia Benton, Treasurer
Stephanie DeVaan, Secretary
Susan Gudgell, Immediate Past Chair

We’d especially like to express gratitude for Susan Gudgell for her incredible leadership as Chair for the past two years.

We wish you a happy Juneteenth tomorrow, a sunny Summer Solstice and a wonderful Fathers Day weekend ahead!

Lindsay