Many of the grants made to nonprofits by the Orcas Island Community Foundation end up supplying work for local vendors – keeping the money local.

In 2008 when Children’s House began their natural play yard project, both Sam Bullock and Patrick Bennett supplied the landscaping services and the plant material. Eastsound Instrument and Supplies benefitted from sold instruments to both the Chamber Music Festival and the Music Advocacy Group’s preschool music program.

Kaleidoscope bought books at Darvill’s for their Bringing Home the Books program, and Mercy Flights purchased their aircraft fuel from Aeronautical Services. Ezra Richardson donated some of his time for the off-leash dog park, but he was also paid for materials by grant money.

In addition, many of the island nonprofits contract with local teachers, farmers, naturalists, therapists, counselors, veterinarians, builders, landscapers and artists for their grant projects. So far, the Foundation has been able to document more than $28,000 in local grant money that was spent with local businesses.