As we celebrate National Community Foundation Week (November 12-18), it’s the perfect time to reflect on the vital role that community foundations play in shaping the future of our towns, neighborhoods, and islands. For the past eight years, the Whidbey Community Foundation has been a driving force for positive change on Whidbey Island, ensuring that our community’s needs are met today while planning for the challenges of tomorrow.
Whidbey Island is a place defined by its beauty, creativity, and strong sense of community. Yet, like many small communities, we face complex issues that require collaboration and resources—from affordable housing to environmental conservation, to sustaining arts and culture. The Whidbey Community Foundation has been a steady source of support, helping to address these challenges with a long-term vision.
Why Community Foundations Matter
National Community Foundation Week offers us a moment to recognize the significance of foundations like ours. These organizations provide stability and flexibility in a world where funding for essential services and initiatives can feel unpredictable. For Whidbey Island, the Whidbey Community Foundation is more than just a source of grants—it is an incubator for community-driven solutions.
At a time when our country is so polarized, bringing people together to tackle pressing issues affecting their communities helps build the understanding and empathy that leads to better and more lasting solutions. Over the past eight years, the Whidbey Community Foundation has supported projects that enrich the island’s arts, protect our natural spaces, and provide critical services to those in need. We have brought together families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to collectively tackle problems that affect us all, demonstrating that when we work together, we can create lasting, positive change.
“At the Whidbey Community Foundation, we believe that the strength of our island lies in the power of our people working together,” says Jessie Gunn, Executive Director. “Our mission has always been about fostering collaboration and creating lasting impact. As we celebrate National Community Foundation Week, we reaffirm our commitment to building a bright future for Whidbey Island—one where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
A Call to Action During the Giving Season
As we enter the giving season, millions of people from every background will be looking to give back to the communities that have supported them. They’ll also look to ensure that their heartfelt giving—however they choose to give—will have the most impact. That’s why so many of them will choose to give to a community foundation.
A gift to your local community foundation is an investment in the future of your community. We like to say that community foundations are “here for good.” At the Whidbey Community Foundation, we don’t think about the next election or business cycle, we think about the next generation and the next after that.
That can seem like a daunting task, but it’s one that we all share. During Community Foundation Week, I hope you’ll join us in recognizing our collective impact and the difference we can make together.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Donate Today: An unrestricted gift to the foundation provides the flexibility to meet our community’s evolving challenges. There are a number of ways you can make a financial contribution. Visit our website to make a secure online donation. You can also contribute using a Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA, or a gift of securities, both of which can offer favorable tax advantages. We also accept checks made out to “Whidbey Community Foundation” and sent to PO Box 1135, Coupeville, WA 98239.
Spread the Word: Share this article and Whidbey Community Foundation’s mission with friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we can inspire others to support our community.
Learn More: Explore our website and social media to discover how the Whidbey Community Foundation is making a difference in our community.
- Visit our website
- Explore our Instagram
- Explore our Facebook
- Sign up for our newsletter!
Building a Stronger Future, Together
As we honor National Community Foundation Week, let’s remember that our island’s future depends on the collective efforts of its people. The Whidbey Community Foundation has been an essential part of our community for the past eight years, but its work is far from done. With your support, we can continue to build a stronger, more vibrant Whidbey Island for generations to come.
Your support makes all the difference.
Whidbey Community Foundation is a nonprofit charitable corporation with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the United States. Our address is PO Box 1135, Coupeville, WA 98239. U.S. tax-exempt number: 81-3860867. Your gift is irrevocable and subject to exclusive legal control by the Board of Directors.