The Orcas Island Community Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2014 competitive grants program.

Trustee Colleen O’Brien will chair the grants committee, whose members include both OICF Trustees and community members. In the 2013 grants cycle, OICF, together with its Partners in Philanthropy, awarded $130,828 to 28 different Orcas Island organizations.

While all grant applications will be considered, OICF is prioritizing proposals that increase our capacity as a community to address specific or emerging needs.  To this end, we encourage grant applicants to submit request that:

• Increase coordination and cooperation of programs and services

• Provide education and training for both staff and community to increase capacity

• Develop pathways of communication to enhance outreach and support

The committee will also consider the identified need the application addresses, number of islanders served, impact on those served, if other funding has been sought, and whether it is a collaborative effort.

Lastly, the committee will look at the grant application’s measurements, as described and demonstrated at the November Measurements Workshop with Jim Connell.

Organizations are encouraged to contact OICF to discuss grant ideas; applications are available at www.oicf.us.

The committee reviews all grant applications and conducts a site visit to learn more about each proposal. The committee then convenes and prioritizes vetted and approved proposals to make funding recommendations to the OICF Board.

Funds will be given to successful applicants at the Grants Award Celebration in May 2014.

Contact Kate Long or Hilary Canty at 376-6423 or email grants@oicf.us with questions or for more information.