One dollar doesn’t amount to much on its own, but when hundreds of people come together with  just one dollar bill in their palms, suddenly there is great wealth.

“When we think of philanthropy, we think of someone with a lot of income, but everyone can be a philanthropist,” said Hilary Canty, Orcas Island Community Foundation director.

So, in the spirit of individuals coming together to raise funds, OICF launched the Give Local campaign in April.

You can donate online at www.giveorcas.org, call OICF at 376 -6423 to pay over the phone or mail in a check to PO Box 1496, Eastsound, WA 98245. The donation period closes on May 27.

The grant process

Each year The Orcas Island Community Foundation accepts applications for their competitive grants program.

This year OICF received grant requests from $200 to $250,000, but the organization only has $40,000 to distribute to nonprofits.

“We don’t have enough to fund all the grants,” said Canty.

So far, the Give Local campaign has received 51 contributions. People have donated anywhere from $25 to $15,000, making a total of $39,000.

Last year OICF launched a similar campaign that resulted in 58 contributors totaling $98,000 in donations. Canty said that the Give Local campaign not only provides funds for organizations but also helps to promote nonprofits in the community. Each nonprofit has a photo, brief bio and a link to their website on the Give Local webpage.

Selecting nonprofits

There are a dozen members on the OICF committee who help select the chosen nonprofits that are the most reasonable and have the greatest chance of succeeding. The committee members review three grant applications each, visit the site of each nonprofit and conducts interview. The committee then convenes and prioritizes vetted and approved proposals to make funding recommendations to the OICF board.

“We recognize some organizations really need support and our goal is to help them keep their doors open,” said Canty.

Some organizations have already met their fundraising goals like the Orcas Fire Department’s Orcas Cares program, which requested $2,500. The Orcas CARES program is a collaboration between Orcas Island Fire and Rescue, Orcas Senior Services, Lahari, Hearts and Hands, the Sheriff’s Department and the Orcas Medical Foundation.

Organizations that do not meet their goals will receive additional funds from OICF.

“We want to fund as many things as possible,” said Canty.

Celebration

The Community Grant Awards Celebration is Thursday, May 29, 2-4 p.m. at the Orcas Center.