In lieu of overflowing gifts under the tree, many are turning to presents that have community-wide impact.
The Orcas Island Community Foundation is hoping to meet that desire with an online catalog that highlights specific nonprofit needs.
“We are inviting people who feel connected to the island to give during this holiday season,” said Kate Long, who handles communications for OICF.
Nonprofits that were vetted during last spring’s annual grant process were invited to submit two proposals for $2,500 and under to be included in the “Orcas Opportunities Holiday Gift Catalog.”
Donors can give any amount they want to arts, children, animal and environmental programs. There are 27 organizations represented.
People are encouraged to see the offerings at www.oicf.us/catalog and give financial gifts in honor of friends or loved ones.
“It’s modeled after Heifer International only you are not buying a goat for a child in Africa, you can buy food for a local family,” Long said.
Her husband Chris Sutton designed software to help OICF organize its donor information and grant management. Long realized it could be used for putting their annual grant proposals online for donor contributions. This method increased their donations by 100 percent.
Now, they are offering the holiday gift catalog for smaller scale projects.
“It’s definitely a test year,” said OICF Director Hilary Canty. “It’s a pilot program. We could do it again – and maybe a few times a year … This program has been an astounding support for us. It is such a better system and I think other community foundations are going to want to use it.”
Photographer Peter Fisher has donated an image of the Olga Store to be used for promotional materials. In addition, he will donate half of the proceeds to OICF from any of the prints he sells.
The community foundation is providing the administrative costs and credit card fees for the gift catalog, which runs now through Jan. 1.
“Our job is to foster philanthropy,” Canty said. “This is one of the best things we can do.”
