The following was submitted by the Orcas Island Community Foundation.

The Orcas Island Community Foundation distributed $250,000 to 25 programs serving the island community at the Give Orcas Grant Awards Celebration on Thursday, May 25. The 2017 Give Orcas campaign was a record breaker! Every proposal listed in the catalog received full funding for the first time in the history of the program.

Orcas is truly a generous community. Funding for the grants was made possible thanks to 275 friends and neighbors who contributed as Partners in Philanthropy. Donations ranged from $10 to $10,000. In addition, OICF invested a portion of the Community Endowment distribution to top off every request.

This year’s grants will support education, social services, the arts, outdoor recreation, health care, housing, and more- what amazing support for the entire community. For a complete list of funded grants, go to https://oicf.us/grants/.

The highlight of the awards celebration was the announcement of the Youth Philanthropy Awards. The senior class at OISD is provided $5000 from a local donor and given the opportunity to give back to the community. This year’s class focused on the basics of food and shelter, awarding grants to OPAL Community Land Trust, the Food Bank, the Farm 2 Cafeteria program and a new Meal Assistance Program for the school district.