Fostering philanthropy to enhance and preserve the quality of life on Orcas Island
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The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) was founded in 1995 to help build and strengthen our community by encouraging and supporting local philanthropy and by connecting people and organizations who want to make a difference by improving the quality of life on Orcas Island.

 

The Council on Foundations’ 2022 national survey ranked the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) #1 for Gifts per Capita and #7 for a 20% distribution rate, reflecting the community’s truly remarkable generosity. While Orcas Island is often seen as a wealthy enclave, nearly 25% of residents require financial support due to the ever growing affordability gap. Local nonprofits like OPAL, the Food Bank, the Community Resource Center, and the Senior Center provide essential services, relying on community donations to meet increasing needs. OICF is honored to support both donors and nonprofits in ensuring all neighbors receive the help they need. View the full results to learn more. 

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Spring GiveOrcas 2025

 Get ready to show how much you care for our community during this year’s spring campaign, May 6 – 15.

 

 

Looking for ways to support Orcas Island?

There are many ways to give back. It’s our goal to make it easy for you to invest in the nonprofits you care most about, get involved in projects that tackle community challenges, help meet critical needs and improve the quality of life for all on Orcas Island.

Mural on fence at Salmonberry
A small village nestled in conifers from the water.

Read the report on OICF’s and the community’s response to the Covid pandemic.

Learn more here

Arial view of map of property for sale with bible diagram overlaid

OICF helped to purchase the Pea Patch Property which will serve as a nonprofit campus.

Learn more here

Mural on fence at Salmonberry

Take a look at our Annual Report. It’s full of pictures and great stories. Working together. Helping each other.

See the Annual Report 

Lance and Janet at OIEF Auction

Donors

Learn how to donate to a fund, how to set one up, the funds that we have and much more.

OISD Art Class

Nonprofits

Learn about capacity building, annual grants awarded, GiveOrcas and other resources we offer.

Seniors in a computer class

Community Resources

Learn about some of the resources that are available to the members of our community.

OICF Welcomes You cover image with Turtleback Mountain, fog and sheep in field

Welcome Home.

We are delighted to have you as a neighbor and look forward to getting to know you. 

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce you to the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF). This Packet gives you a brief look into the community, the work of OICF and the local nonprofits. We encourage you to stop by our office to say hi.

Most Recent Blog Posts

Ready to Serve!

  Ready to Serve! Thank you to the dozen folks who came to the Introduction to Board Service hosted by OICF this week. Thank you also to Nancy Stillger, Director of the Orcas Island Historical Museums, for helping to lead the program and to Brian Moss and Margie...

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Happy June!

  Happy June! It is hard to believe Summer is here (well, almost). May was amazing and June is off to a great start. We are moving forward with the final inspections for the Pea Patch Lane property and continuing to gather funding pledges in earnest. The closing...

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So Grateful!

So Grateful  We could not have had a better day to celebrate the GiveOrcas campaign with an Ice Cream Social at Cascade Lake. Cones, bowls, and rootbeer floats were enjoyed, grant checks were distributed and the Youth Philanthropy Awards were revealed. Each year, the...

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