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.

 

In early 2023, CF Insights Columbus Survey released their rankings for 2021.

Nationally, OICF is ranked #4 out of 209 community foundations for per capita gifts with a rate of $840. That represents an annual distribution rate of 16% of our assets, ranking us 9th in that category. You can view the full list here.

 

 The Orcas Island Lions Club has established a $25,000 matching grant to support the Orcas Senior Center’s (OSC) renovation project. This grant is available for the month of November, so your contribution during this period will have double the impact. These critical improvements will help preserve the building, ensuring the center can continue to serve our island community. Read more here.

We're hiring someone for Outreach & Administration Support

Holiday GiveOrcas 

December 3- 12th

Mark your calendars to join in collective community giving! Holiday GiveOrcas is nearly here. The campaign features thirty meaningful nonprofit giving opportunities at www.giveorcas.org.

We're hiring someone for Outreach & Administration Support

OICF Announces New Executive Director

The Orcas Island Community Foundation Board of Trustees is delighted to announce the selection of Lindsay Jennings as the next Executive Director of OICF, following a thorough and competitive search process. Click HERE to read more.

Stay tuned for opportunities to engage with Lindsay in the fall. In the meantime, please join OICF in welcoming Lindsay to her new role.

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 is helping to purchase the Pea Patch Property to 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

On your mark, get ready, get set…..

On your mark, get ready, get set…..

The 2022 GiveOrcas Campaign goes live at 12:01 am on Monday, May 2nd.  Let me know if you would like a sneak preview and I will send you a list of the 27 proposals included in this year’s catalog. This year is the largest campaign so far. After two years dealing with...

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Point In Time Count

Point In Time Count

Shelter   Each year, counties across the state conduct a Point In Time (PIT) count to identify community members who are either un- or under-sheltered. The 2022 San Juan County PIT Homeless Count identified 146 people who have no stable place to live, an increase...

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Happy to Help

Happy to Help

Northern Heights Apartments   I was delighted to hand deliver a $100,000 donation to OPAL Community Land Trust this week.  This contribution will be used to purchase the Northern Heights Apartments (across from the Library on Rose Street), preserving 12...

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