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

Big Blue

Big Blue

Pete Moe explaining the mechanisms of Big Blue I attended the grand opening of Big Blue, the new glass crusher behind the Exchange.  I have to say, it was a lovely event.  So fun to be outside surrounded by our community—chatting, laughing, sipping cider and...

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Spooky Times

Spooky Times

Giant Killer Worm Emerges on Crescent Beach Orcas celebrates Halloween with pizazz.  Island Market hosts a decoration contest between their departments, witches swarm Eastsound on paddle boards, and families parade through town trick-or-treating at every store.  It is...

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Long Live the Kings

Long Live the Kings

I had the great pleasure of having very dear, old friends visiting this week.  After almost two years of isolating, time together felt especially wonderful.  It also gave me the opportunity to take them on a deep dive into island life.  Hiking Moran and Turtleback,...

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