Whidbey Community Foundation (WCF) recently awarded grants to 19 Whidbey Island nonprofits. Awards were distributed at a reception held by WCF on December 4th.
WCF opened its second annual Grants Cycle in July this year. A total of 44 applications were received for the funding opportunities. Grant awards totaling over $15,000 for animal welfare, environment, and human service projects were provided to: Orca Network, Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Studies, Sound Water Stewards, Whidbey Watershed Stewards, Citizens’ Against Domestic & Sexual Abuse (CADA), Kids First – Island County, and Mother Mentors of Island County.
Additional funding for grants was made available through the Christmas Sculpture Fund—a collaboration with renowned sculptor Georgia Gerber and her husband Randy Hudson. Grants from this fund were provided to: Backcountry Horsemen of Island County, Hearts & Hammers, Helping Hand of South Whidbey, Island Shakespeare, Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund, Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island, Readiness to Learn Foundation, South Whidbey Children’s Center, South Whidbey Commons, South Whidbey Good Cheer Food Bank & Thrift Stores, South Whidbey Schools Foundation, and Whidbey Island Nourishes.
“Through generous contributions from our community, we are thrilled we have been able grow our assets as a foundation in order to provide critical, financial support to nonprofits serving Whidbey Island,” states Steve Shapiro, Board President. “We continue to provide technical support to nonprofits through training and networking. We know that supporting nonprofit organizations allows Whidbey, and the people who call Whidbey home, to thrive now and in the future.”
Since grants were first awarded in 2017, Whidbey Community Foundation has provided 38 grants totaling over $100,000.