Holiday GiveOrcas Campaign

The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) administers the GiveOrcas Campaign, a community-driven grantmaking program that supports nonprofit and public service organizations serving residents of Orcas Island, Washington. The campaign is held twice each year—once in the spring and again during the holiday season. For the Holiday 2025 cycle, applications are accepted between September 15 and October 7, with a maximum grant request of $15,000 and a cap of 30 proposals selected for inclusion. GiveOrcas operates through a partnership model involving the Community Endowment Fund, Partners in Philanthropy, and individual community donors. The initiative encourages community participation by inviting the public to contribute directly to vetted local programs. Selected proposals are featured in a public-facing catalog, and donations are collected through an online platform. Organizations are encouraged to present their requests in gift-sized donation options to enhance donor engagement during the holiday season. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations, government agencies, school districts, and other public service entities. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed, provided a signed agreement and the fiscal sponsor’s EIN are submitted. All applicants must be fiscally sound, as demonstrated in their IRS Form 990 and other financial documents, and must have governing boards that meet regularly and maintain independent oversight. Required application components include a board approval letter, logo or graphic image for marketing, a description of the proposed project, and required financial documents. Organizations submitting collaborative projects must include letters of support from all involved parties. Fiscal-sponsored applicants must provide an executed sponsorship agreement. Completed applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. PDT on October 7, 2025. After submission, proposals undergo a two-week internal review followed by community committee evaluations. Applicants will be notified of their status on November 6, and accepted applicants are invited to attend a Grantee Workshop on November 12. The campaign launches with a Holiday Open House on December 2, 2025, and includes themed donor events through December 11. Grants will be distributed on or before December 18. The campaign policies prohibit multiple applications from the same organization in a single cycle, with the exception of the Orcas Island School District and approved fiscal sponsorships. Grants may support operating costs, provided they align with the campaign's community benefit goals. All awarded funds must be used as intended, and deviations require written approval. Final reports are mandatory and may be supplemented by interim reports upon request. For questions, applicants are encouraged to contact Lynn White at lynn@oicf.us or call 360-376-6423.

Use gift-sized donation framing to attract donors. Be prepared to promote your project and attend the Holiday Open House and Grantee Workshop. Submit all documentation including board approval letter and logo image.