Whidbey Community Foundation recently awarded grants to 19 Whidbey Island nonprofits. Awards were distributed during a reception held Dec. 4.
“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,” board president Steve Shapiro said in a press release. “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.”
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 and Sexual Abuse, 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.
This is the third year the foundation has partnered with Gerber and Hudson and the 21st year they have offered holiday pewter sculptures to raise funds for charities. This year’s new sculpture is the Dashing Turtle. Collectors may also purchase pewters from past years: the Settling Owl and the Sheepish Rabbit. The minimum donation for each sculpture is $200. All purchases can be made on Whidbey Community Foundation’s website or by check at the Rob Schouten Gallery on Anthes Avenue in Langley.
Since grants were first awarded in 2017, Whidbey Community Foundation has provided 38 grants totaling over $100,000.
Whidbey Community Foundation was formed in 2016 to improve the quality of life on Whidbey Island by providing support for the nonprofit sector, assisting donors to build and preserve enduring assets for charitable purposes, and meeting community needs through financial awards.
• For information, visit WCF’s website www.whidbeyfoundation.org for more information, or call at 360-660-5041.
