A new donor advised fund dedicated to broadening awareness and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Orcas Island community has recently been launched.

According to long time island homeowner and part-time resident Kathy Wehle, the intent of the fund is to support Orcas nonprofits while increasing LGBT visibility. Most founding donors of the fund are active participants in Out on Orcas, a group that coordinates social gatherings for LGBT people living on or visiting Orcas. The group enthusiastically backed the idea with both money and guidelines for the organizing principles.

With more than $18,000 already in hand, the group is now focusing on encouraging nonprofits to apply for grants for projects that fit the mission of the fund. Interested nonprofit organizations are invited to attend an information session to be held at Mia’s Restaurant in Eastsound on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Grants from the donor fund can be used in many ways. The fund might sponsor an LGBT speaker or chorus to come to Orcas, underwrite the cost of a class on diversity in the high school or financially support the formation of a Gay-Straight Alliance. Grants might pay for an outreach program for gay or lesbian elders, or underwrite the production cost of a play, such as “The Laramie Project.”

Community members can help make these programs happen by giving a donation to The Orcas LGBT Fund at the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF). Donations to the fund are tax deductible, and should be made directly to OICF with”LGBT Fund” written in the memo field, and mailed to the LGBT Fund c/o OICF, PO Box 1496, Eastsound, WA 98245.