Lindsay Jennings has spent most of her career in nonprofit management.
Now, she is sharing that expertise with the island she calls home.
“I feel a sense of responsibility to do everything I can to make this community as strong as it can be. And this is the best way I can serve,” said Jennings about her new role as Executive Director of the Orcas Island Community Foundation. She succeeded long-time director Hilary Canty this fall.
Jennings says she is “on a discovery tour right now” as she listens, observes and learns about OICF’s role on Orcas and what the 100+ nonprofits contribute to islanders’ way of life.
“Everyone has been so welcoming. And it’s inspiring how much people care,” she said.
Founded in 1995, OICF’s mission is to foster philanthropy to enhance and preserve the quality of life on Orcas Island through grant funding, board leadership education, organizational development, network building and community engagement.
Annual grant-making facilitated by OICF has grown from $70,000 in 2012 to over $6 million in 2023. In 2013 OICF launched GiveOrcas, a twice-a-year, community-wide, participatory granting effort that significantly supports programs serving the Orcas community. The foundation currently stewards over $24 million in 185 funds for the community; these include donor-advised funds, permanently and temporarily restricted designated funds for organizations, scholarships and a variety of field of interest funds.
Jennings brings years of experience in nonprofit leadership and organizational development to the foundation. Most recently, she has overseen nonprofit client growth initiatives and directed the operations of an international professional association as an executive leader with SBI Association Management. Locally, she served on the Board of Directors for Kaleidoscope Preschool and Childcare.
Jennings moved to Orcas six years ago with her husband Mark Matson, a property manager. Their seven-year-old daughter Heidi is in the second grade at Orcas Elementary School. Jennings first fell in love with Orcas as a camper and volunteer at Camp Orkila. Now, with her family and their Havanese Zoe, she enjoys boating, camping, skiing, walking and hiking.
When she first applied for the position, she wasn’t sure it was time to leave her current job.
“But from the start, it felt really good,” Jennings said. “And it kept feeling like a good fit.”
Her first-year goals include welcoming collaboration and hearing innovative ideas.
“I really believe that any community is only as strong as its nonprofit sector,” said Jennings, explaining that the “big needs” like education, food, housing and health are critical and also contribute to the economy’s health.
Ask any organization about its own critical needs, and most will answer: younger board members and volunteers.
“I’m hopeful people do want to get involved, and the reality is that they may have to wait until their kids are older and their jobs are stable,” said Jennings, who added that the more significant challenge is creating diversity and inclusion on boards and in volunteer positions. “It’s a growing focus for organizations.”
