Island County’s chapter of the American Red Cross initiated a pilot program in early August designed to help local agencies increase financial support from off-island resources.

Now, the Red Cross has added a library that will be useful to those seeking grants.

Since August, the Community Grant Coordinator Program has helped 18 local agencies identify potential funding sources, and in some cases, helped prepare funding requests.

Jean Hermanson, executive director of the Island County chapter, said the goal of the program was to establish collaborative partnerships between agencies and strengthen their collective ability to obtain funding and provide services throughout Island County.

“There has definitely been an increase in dialogue between agencies with potential collaborations identified,” Hermanson said, adding that a foundation reference library has been established. Funding resource material is cataloged, pre-screened and available to local agencies.

For additional information, or to use the foundation reference library, call the local Red Cross chapter at 257-2096 or go to www.islandredcross.org.