Together we can do more.
Together we can make a difference.
That’s why OICF invites Partners in Philanthropy to join forces during our Annual Grants cycle. GiveOrcas.org.
The Grants Committee does the hard work of investigating and vetting the grants. Each proposal is fully reviewed by committee members and a site visit conducted to gather information. After deliberations, the 14-member group recommends a list for adoption. The Committee then assigns each grant request to a category-Critical Needs, Important Needs, or Opportunities, based on the following criteria:
- Does the request address basic needs?
- Is the need currently going unfulfilled?
- Does the request impact a large sector of our community?
- Is the request well-thought out, and is there a strong likelihood the organization will be successful?
- Is the request a collaborative effort (where appropriate)?
The discussions are lively, and having diverse committee membership provides multitude of perspectives. In the end, the list provides a variety of opportunities for investment that will keep Orcas a vital and vibrant community.
We invite you to be a Partner in Philanthropy. Any contribution amount is welcome; the entire community can engage in the process. Visit giveorcas.org.
Last year, 56 individuals contributed a total of $98,000–remarkable support from and for the entire community. The Grants Committee reconvenes in early May to recommend the distribution of OICF’s discretionary funds, ensuring that those proposals deemed most critical are as fully funded as possible.
It is an unusual process, unique to OICF. The Partners in Philanthropy program has allowed us to increase support of valuable programs while the community endowment is still developing. The other benefit of the Partners is that it allows the entire community to engage in the process, even more so now that the grants catalog is available on-line.
The Grants Awards Celebration is scheduled for May 29, 2-4 pm at Orcas Center’s Madrona Room (thank you to Orcas Center for graciously and generously hosting again this year!). We hope you can join us.
OICF 