The money bags of island non-profits are a little bit heavier.
Of the 33 applications it received, the Orcas Island Community Foundation was able to award money to 29 Orcas Island programs. The grand total given this year is $81,000, which is 15 percent more than last year.
At an award celebration on June 3, the foundation presented checks to representatives from each group, and celebrated the many donors who helped make it all possible.
OICF contributed $20,000 from earnings on its Community Endowment and an additional $61,000 was given through the Partners in Philanthropy program. This allowed full funding for 12 programs and partial funding for an additional nine.
The following programs received funding:
Children’s House, $8,000 in operating funds for the Infant Toddler Center; Compass Health, $4,600 for chemical dependency treatment program on Orcas; Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, $5,590 for women’s ESL classes; Farm to Cafertia program, $7,000; F.E.A.S.T. summer education program, $5,000; Food Bank, $3,500 for dairy and eggs; Healing Arts Center, $1,000 for roof replacement; Hearts and Hands, $2,500 towards volunteer coordinator salary; Islands’ Oil Spill Association, $1,200 for spill responder class on Orcas; Kaleidoscope, $5,000 for a part-time financial manager; Kwiaht, $4,100 for after school science research club; Long Live the Kings Hatchery, $3,300 for replacement of salmon egg incubator trays; OPAL Community Land Trust, $2,500 to support Wild Rose Meadow neighborhood; Orcas Family Connections, $2,008 for family advocate to support families with children zero to five; Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival and Music Advocacy Group, $1,500, final year of a three-year grant for preschool music program; Orcas Island Historical Museum, $4,500 for Smithsonian Journey Stories exhibit; Orcas Island School District, $579 matching funds for fourth grade geology science module and $1,200 for eighth grade robotics kits; Orcas Montessori School, $6,400 for operating funds; Primary Intervention Program at Orcas School, $3,500 for coordinator salary for play therapy program; Sail Orcas, $2,400 for purchase of new boats for youth program; San Juan Nature Institute, $2,200 for enhancing botany teacher training.
This year’s Partners in Philanthropy were Rachel Adams, Marilyn Anderson, Michael Brennan, Mary Clure (Orcas Island Realty), Joe Cohen, Martha Farish, Clayton Philbrick, Cynthia and Sam Coleman Family Trust, Cathy Faulkner, Ann Graves, Phyllis and Bob Henigson, Hull Family Supporting Organization, Robert Lundeen, Masterman Family Fund, The Olga Symphony, Orcas Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Fund, Joyce and Doug Pearson, Wells Fargo Bank, Wright Janeway Family Fund, and Judith and Ed Zimmerman.
Cohen, who spoke to the large crowd in Orcas Center’s Madrona Room, explained how OICF is his “partner in giving.” He and his wife, Martha Farish, have a granddaughter at Children’s House, one of this year’s recipients.
“I can’t tell you the joy it brings me to see the life and activity at Children’s House,” he said.
In addition to grants distributed through OICF’s program, high school seniors are given $5,000 to donate to the community. Working with their civics and economics classes, they develop a process to determine how to select recipients. In years past, the students have supported preschools, the Orcas Senior Center, and the Food Bank. Seniors Hannah North and Teri Vinson announced their class’s grant selection: Orcas Family Connections. In a break from tradition, the lump sum is going to one organization.
“The process was full of debate and it was very, very loud,” said Vinson. “There were times when we didn’t know if we’d make the decision.”
Orcas Family Connections is Orcas Island’s family resource center. It provides support services for families with kids up to age five, offers parenting classes and a literacy outreach program, makes food bank and clothing deliveries, connects families with resources on the island, and refers people to DVSAS. Erin O’Dell, who runs the program, is currently working on providing food stamp services for Orcas families.
Ethna Flanagan, who works with O’Dell, accepted the money, and struggled to hold back tears.
“This is overwhelming,” she said. “It will go a long way to help island families. Thank you.”
Community Foundation monthly open house
Orcas Island Community Foundation holds an open house on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 6 p.m. in its Eastsound office. The community is invited to learn more about the organization, and to offer ideas.
The foundation will continue to seek funding for the remaining approved 2010 grant proposals. Those interested in learning more should contact executive director Hilary Canty at 376-6423.
