— from Hilary Canty —
The Orcas Island Community Foundation Annual Grant Awards were distributed on May 29. Over $133,000 was given to 32 programs providing increased access to health care and housing assistance, arts and science in the schools, music and theater, rebuilding the Exchange and even a new slaughter site for local meat production. A complete list of awards can be seen at www.oicf.us.
The annual Grants process is unique to the Orcas community. OICF receives far more requests than can be funded through our own endowment distribution. OICF invites the community to participate as Partners in Philanthropy. This year, 65 generous community members donated through the Give Where You Live campaign. Collectively, Partners contributed over $110,000- remarkable support for our entire community. Thanks to Partners, every proposal was given some funding and all but two in the top two tiers were fully funded.
The Celebration was capped off by the surprise announcement of the Youth Philanthropy Awards. The OISD Senior High School class was given the opportunity to distribute $5000. They researched their options, exploring their priorities and values, and debated the merits of many sectors and programs. This year, the class selected the Friends of Moran and SeaDoc, organizations that help preserve the natural environment of the island and surrounding waters. Each organization received a $2500 grant.
The Orcas Island Community Foundation is deeply honored to help so many valuable organizations and grateful for the generosity that is the core of this community.
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Extra kudos to Coleen Keenan O’Brien and Kate Long, Chair and primary staff, respectively, of the OICF Grants Committee, and to the community members of that Committee, who worked so diligently to make this year’s grant process record setting.