Whidbey Community Foundation hosted a reception last week for all of its 2022 Grantees. It was wonderful to gather again in person! We last hosted a grantee reception in the same space at Pacific Rim Institute more than 3 years ago. Since then, our community has weathered unprecedented challenges and still we persevere. In the 6 short years since WCF was formed, we have been able to grant nearly $1.5 million to nonprofits in our community!
Whidbey Community Foundation awarded grants to 45 organizations between end of 2021 through November of this year totaling approximately $300,000 from our Foundation Fund, our Essential Needs Program Fund, our Holiday Sculpture Fund, and from our Donor Advised Funds. A list of these grantees can be found below. Thank you to these organizations for all of the work they do in our community; and thank you to our community of donors who enable this work!
Backcountry Horsemen of Island County – maintains trails at the Putney Woods County Park in Langley, Kettles County Park, Greenbank Farm Trails, and Trillium Community Forest.
The Backyard Whidbey – based in Langley, works to make indoor play and quality fitness available to all. They received an award which will support their Open Play program for children & families.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County – provides children facing adversity with strong, professionally supported one-to-one relationships. They received an award this year for their DINO Program – Dabbling in New Opportunities.
Boys Scouts, Mt. Baker Council – received an award to expand the scouting program on Whidbey.
Central Whidbey Cooperative Preschool – their funding will go toward Early Education Access.
Coupeville Farm to School – their grant will go toward feeding children in the school district at home and at school.
Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association – their award will go toward expanded kids’ activities at Musselfest 2023.
Friends of Ebey’s National Historic Reserve – works in cooperation with the Reserve’s Trust Board and National Park Service to fund projects and programs that protect, preserve, and enhance the cultural and natural resources and the visitor experience of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve.
Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund – raises and disburses funds for South Whidbey residents to help pay for health care expenses that they are unable to cover themselves.
Giraffe Heroes Project – moves people to “stick their necks out” for the common good, and gives them tools to succeed. Their stories of heroes inspire others to act.
Good Cheer – has been helping neighbors on the south end of Whidbey since 1962. The Food Bank is support chiefly by 2 thrift stores.
Growing Veterans – empowers veterans to cultivate purpose and belonging by growing food, community and each other. They received an award this year that will support refrigeration to enhance produce donations at their Outpost Farm at the Greenbank Farm.
Health Island Youth Initiative – is a partnership between the SW Parks & Aquatics Foundation and Island County Public Health. They received an award this year to continue offering scholarships for low-income youth participating in organized sports.
Hearts & Hammers of South Whidbey – brings together local volunteers to repair and rehabilitate homes of those who are physically or financially unable to do the work alone.
Hedgebrook – supports visionary women writers whose stories and ideas shape our culture now and for generations to come.
Helping Hand of South Whidbey – provides immediate financial assistance when the basic services of life and well being are in danger of being discontinued.
Island Senior Resources – received multiple awards this year, one of which is for their Meals on Wheels program.
Island Shakespeare Festival – received an award to purchase new headsets for their production crew.
Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island – received an award to support their Play & Learn Groups, In-Home Mentoring Program, and Parent Pantry shop for families with young children.
North Whidbey Help House – was the recipient from a fundraising campaign held the end of 2021 by the Skagit Island Counties Builders Association which WCF matched.
Oak Harbor Intermediate PTA – received an award to construct new playground equipment.
Oak Harbor Rotary – received an award for their Food4Kids Backpack Program.
Opportunity Council – has been our partner in the Essential Needs Program. To date OC has administered over $126k in direct assistance to 180 households on Whidbey for things like a single mom needing to repair her refrigerator and moving expenses for folks moving from homelessness into more stable housing.
Orca Network – received a grant to support their social media & website training, management databases, and hybrid event technology.
The Organic Farm School – gives aspiring farmers a strong foundation in a broad range of skills so they can achieve their own farm goals.
Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship – received a grant this year to upgrade their hardware and to support technical assistance – all in service of furthering their mission to equip communities to live sustainably.
Readiness to Learn – works in partnership with Whidbey Island schools, community and families to help each child reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. They received grants this year to support their South Whidbey Family Resource Center and their annual Holiday House which provides free gifts to families who may need extra help this time of year.
Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island – received a grant to support their new donor management system and upgraded office equipment.
Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation – received a grant for their Whidbey Reads 2023 program.
Trudy Sundberg Lecture Series – honors beloved Whidbey Island teacher and community leader Trudy J. Sundberg and her lifelong commitment to discover, explore, and exchange information, ideas, and opinions in an environment of respect and consideration. Presented in collaboration with the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation, each year, the series features a free public lecture by an eminent speaker and a special engagement activity at a Whidbey Island school designed to inspire and empower students.
South Whidbey at Home – provides support to seniors to help them remain safely in their homes. They received a grant to help upgrade their infrastructure including a printer, computer and software.
South Whidbey Children’s Center – an early learning daycare and preschool. Their philosophy is to nurture, support and empower the whole child and to help them grow deep roots that will serve them throughout their education and life.
South Whidbey Commons – a place for people of all ages to gather, learn and grow in Langley.
South Whidbey Schools Foundation – provides funding for projects which foster educational excellence and innovative process for the benefit of students in the South Whidbey School District.
South Whidbey Tilth – is an educational association for biologically sound, socially equitable agriculture: teaching stewardship of natural world for local gardeners & farmers. They received a grant this year to build a cool storage facility to extend the life and freshness of produce year-round.
Spin Café – provides meals to those in need in North Whidbey. Their grant will support their Dinner Service.
Toddler Learning Center – provides therapy, educational, and parent support for children ages 0-36 months with development delays. They received a grant to support their Infant Mental Health work.
Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation (WAIF) – advocates for and provides loving homes for pets on Whidbey.
Whidbey Camano Land Trust – received a grant designated to support the Walking Ebey’s project which recently opened a 3.5-mile trail that winds through forests and farmlands at Ebey’s Prairie.
WhidbeyHealth Foundation – supports our hospital by purchasing equipment, improving facilities, and enhancing training for staff to improve patient outcomes and their experience at WhidbeyHealth.
Whidbey Homeless Coalition – strives to make homelessness brief and rare in our community. Their grant will expand their outreach and shelter programs.
Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative – was established by local farmers, buyers and residents to increase awareness and consumption of agricultural products grown on the Island, including through an island-wide online marketplace.
Whidbey Island Nourishes – a volunteer-powered nonprofit, dedicated to nourishing youth on South Whidbey.
Whidbey Island Waldorf School – received a grant that will support a training program for parenting and social inclusion.
