Spring conditions

||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |||

The Orcas Island Community Foundation’s primary goal is to build and strengthen our community by encouraging and supporting local philanthropy. We strive to simplify charitable giving for individuals and simplify fundraising and management of reserves for nonprofits.

Many community members have donor advised funds with the foundation, which provide tax advantages and maximize capacity to support causes they care most about. Many nonprofits also entrust the foundation to hold and invest unrestricted and endowed funds, which community members may donate to through OICF. 

Funds are pooled together and invested for maximum returns to further amplify charitable impact and build resilience in our nonprofit sector. They are managed by our professional investment management firm, Pathstone, under the supervision of the OICF Investment Committee, which includes experienced investment and financial professionals. As responsible stewards of these assets, we’d like to share a recent update from Pathstone: 

After two years of strong returns driven by large technology companies, volatility has returned to the S&P 500. 2025 so far has been a reminder why diversification in portfolios is key. While the S&P 500 has seen negative returns, international stocks, emerging market stocks, and fixed income are performing well and are adding positive returns to portfolios. Uncertainties around tariffs, economic policy, and geopolitical events will continue to cause volatility in US markets, but remaining invested, diversified, and in-line with portfolio target allocations is crucial for long term success.

We are comfortable with how OICF portfolios are positioned and are pleased to see how modest portfolio shifts that were in place as we entered the year have added value in this current environment, including exposure to international equities, value style managers, real assets, and credit risk alternatives. We will continue monitoring conditions closely and implement any tactical shifts we believe are prudent going forward.

In this dynamic time, building connections, learning together, and focusing on community care continue to be key ingredients to building resilience.

• A series of community meetings will be held about the upcoming Orcas Island Health Care District Levy Lift. Mark your calendar for two Informational Town Halls: Today, Friday March 28 at 1:00 – 2:30 PM and Wednesday April 9 at 5:30 – 7:00 PM, both at the Orcas Fire Hall. See the agenda and zoom details for today’s meeting here. 
• April has been dubbed Earth Day Orcas Month, with many options for supporting a resilient environment. Get all the details here!
• Join the Orcas Community Wellness Fair, Tuesday April 1, 1 – 4 pm at the Orcas Community Resource Center.
• The Healing Art Center’s Community Health Initiative helps make healthcare more accessible to all. Contact Orcas Community Resource Center for information and vouchers.

More flowers and rainbows ahead!