Submitted by Orcas Island Community Foundation

Congratulations to the 22 nonprofits featured in this year’s GiveOrcas Holiday Catalog, an online donation forum hosted by the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF).

“This was amazing. I never dreamed we would do this well,” said one nonprofit representative. Three hundred thirty-four donors made 494 donations totaling $60,066 between Dec. 1-21.

“Each December OICF hosts a three-week campaign, GiveOrcas, to highlight programs and nonprofits in our community that help make the island more livable and vibrant,” OICF Director Hilary Canty said. “We are so happy to provide this year-end opportunity. It is a partnership where we help link donors to causes they support – with a shopping cart for ease of use.”

This is the fifth year for the GiveOrcas Holiday catalog. All nonprofits serving Orcas are invited to participate – with the caveat that they help advertise and market their requests. Each year there is a different set of nonprofits represented, and a different flat person as a campaign representative.

The holiday catalog is similar to OICF’s spring annual grants process in that both campaigns use the same online technology to generate a catalog of opportunities serving Orcas. However, the requests for the annual grants are generally (but not always) larger in scope and size, and have a rigorous vetting process conducted by the OICF grants committee.

Canty continued, “We live in a remarkably generous community – one where $10 can and does make a difference. Thank you to all of the donors who gave, and to the nonprofits doing such important work.”