Give Where You Live!

— from Hilary Canty, Executive Director, Orcas Island Community Foundation–

The Annual Community Grants Program has gone live and is available on-line. Go to www.giveorcas.org to view the 24 proposals vetted and approved by the Orcas Island Community Foundation Grant Committee. There is a full range of opportunities supporting the arts, social services, education, and the environment. The entire community is invited to participate as Partners in Philanthropy, contributing at any level to the proposals that match their passions.

The Grant Committee, comprised of 13 community members, vetted and prioritized the proposals based on the following criteria:
• Does the proposal address a specific need?
• What is the likelihood for success of the proposal?
• Is there duplication of services offered on Orcas for this service/request?
• Does the proposal serve a significant number of Islanders?

This year requests total over $218,000. OICF allocates a portion of the earnings from its community endowment to the Annual Grants Program, however the total requested far exceeds the funds available. This is where you can shine as a Partner in Philanthropy! To participate as a Partner, simply make a donation of any size. Donations can be made directly online or, mail your contribution (made out to OICF) to PO Box 1496, Eastsound, WA 98245, or drop by the OICF office at 141 Prune Alley, Suite 201. Your participation as a Partner in Philanthropy carries our island tradition of neighbors helping neighbors forward.

Questions? Contact OICF at 376-6423.

The grants will be distributed at the Grant Awards Celebration, Thursday, June 2, from 4-6pm in the Madrona Room at Orcas Center. We hope you can join us to honor the people and programs that keep Orcas a wonderful place to call home. www.giveorcas.org!