Island non-profits gathered under one roof to celebrate funding from the Orcas Island Community Foundation.

This year’s grants surpassed $100,000 for the second year in a row. Funds were distributed to 24 local non-profits and agencies in support of programs that provide critical services and cultural experiences to the Orcas community. Included is $14,000 to OICF’s new Focus Area Initiatives in the area of medical, dental, and mental health, including returning visits by Medical Team International’s Dental Van to Orcas Island.

Funding for this annual grant cycle comes in part from the interest and dividend earnings income on the  Community Endowment Fund, which has grown to $1 million. Additional funds are contributed by individuals through the Partners in Philanthropy program.

The ceremony was on May 24 at Orcas Center. Every year, the Orcas High School senior civics and economics classes identify issues of significance and grant money to organizations that support them. This year, the kids chose to give all of the $5,000 t0 the Medical Collaboration, which provides support for uninsured medical coverage at any of the island clinics.

The following is a list of the OICF grant recipients.

Children’s House: $1000 to purchase equipment for continuous grounds maintenance.

Coffelt Farm Stewards: $2,500 to establish an apiary (bee yard) at Coffelt Farm to pollinate area as well as provide honey.

Farm to Cafeteria – OISD/OIEF: $7,000 to purchase locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables for the school lunch program in 2012-13.

FEAST/Funhouse: $2,500 to fund summer farming and sustainability program for Orcas high school students. Funded by two anonymous donors.

Friends of Moran: $1,000 to retrofit former KVOS historic building to support visitor and educational programs.

Funhouse Commons: $1,000 to remodel current building to accommodate Orcas Island Parks and Rec offices.

Hearts & Hands: $3,500 for operational funds to support coordinator who links volunteers to seniors in need.

KWIAHT: $4,632 to develop science enrichment program about native fruit tree cultivars for Orcas Middle School students.

Medical – Collaborative request: $1,500 for financial assistance to cover medical care for uninsured/underinsured patients at Orcas Medical Foundation, Orcas Family Health Center and Orcas Island Family Medicine.

OPAL Community Land Trust: $5,000 for energy efficiency upgrades to donated Henigson house.

Orcas Center: $4,000 for facility and equipment improvements at Orcas Center.

Orcas Family Connections: $5,250 for operating support for critical resource referral service program on Orcas.

Orcas Island Food Bank: $4,500 to purchase fresh eggs, cheese, and dairy supplements for local families in 2012-13.

Orcas Island Historical Museum & Society: $3000 toward funding new Director’s salary for one year.

Orcas Island Rowing Association: $2,000 toward purchase of new coxless quad crew shell and two sets of oars for junior rowers.

OISD Gaylord 4th Grade: $936 to purchase supplemental reading materials for fourth grade classroom.

OISD—Preschool Collaborative: $12,252 for a collaborative training program to encourage language development and reading across preschools through grade three.

Orcas Montessori School: $2,100 for scholarships for summer Spanish/English program designed for 4-7 year olds.

Orcas Open Arts: $900 for equipment and supplies for arts programming in the public school.

PTSA: $750 for “Noon Knitter Club” knitting supplies at the Orcas Elementary School.

Primary Intervention Program: $12,400 for operating expenses for prevention program serving youth and families.

San Juan Nature Institute: $2,043 for “Two Beaches” marine study for sixth graders and $1,931 for “Watershed & Wetlands” project for fifth graders.