Leadership, Excellence, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) Grant Program

The Leadership, Excellence, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) Grant Program is administered by the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF), an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the Orcas Island community. Through its targeted initiatives, OICF supports local nonprofits in building capacity and increasing organizational effectiveness. The LEAD Grant Program was established to promote professional and leadership development opportunities for nonprofits serving the Orcas Island area. The program is supported by two internal funds: the Hilary Canty Leadership Fund, which focuses on providing educational and experiential leadership development opportunities, and the Marilyn Anderson Excellence Fund, aimed at fostering nonprofit excellence. This grant program is designed to strengthen nonprofit teams by offering financial assistance for professional development opportunities that build leadership skills and promote efficient and effective operations. Eligible activities include attendance at training programs, conferences, and other professional development offerings—both in-person and online. Grants may also cover related travel expenses and costs associated with bringing trainers or facilitators to Orcas Island to lead team or staff trainings. In such cases, applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other local organizations to maximize the impact of the training and the number of individuals served. LEAD grants may award up to $2,000 per individual and up to $6,000 per organization per grant program year. The program operates on a July–June fiscal year and includes two funding cycles annually. All grant funds must be expended within one year of the grant check issue date. If an organization cannot use the funds within that time frame or for the proposed purpose, they are required to notify OICF in writing. The foundation will work with the grantee to determine an appropriate alternative plan or request that unused funds be returned. Eligibility is limited to employees of registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or fiscally sponsored groups serving the Orcas Island community. While staff-focused development is prioritized, training for board members or key volunteers may also be considered. Applications must be submitted online and include a statement detailing the nature of the development opportunity, total program cost, a funding budget, and the intended learning outcomes. Each application must also be endorsed by the Executive Director or, if the ED is the applicant, the Board Chair. Applications for the Winter 2026 grant cycle are open from January 9 through February 9, 2026. Notification of funding decisions will be sent in late March 2026. Applicants should submit only one application per professional development activity, regardless of how many staff members are attending. Separate applications should be submitted for different development programs. OICF accepts feedback from the community and may adjust the program based on evolving needs. For questions regarding the LEAD Grant Program, applicants may contact Lynn White, the Grants Manager, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 360-376-6423. The foundation’s mailing address is PO Box 1496, 33 Urner Street, Suite 4, Eastsound, WA 98245. The LEAD Grant Program exemplifies OICF’s commitment to fostering strong, capable nonprofit organizations through focused investment in leadership and professional development.