This year the Coupeville Festival Association netted more than $105,000 in gross revenue, more than any previous year.

“For the size of our organization and what we bring in, I think it’s remarkable,” said festival president Mike Dessert.

The increase in revenue, Dessert said, may be due to a few things, including the recent upturn in the economy. Vendor booth sales increase more than $10,000 from $291,000 to $307,000.

“I think, with the economy, this is phenomenal,” Dessert said. “People were spending more money. We sell things you don’t have to have. We’re basically targeting disposable income.”

One of the reasons Dessert suggested people might have spent more money is the type of items offered.

“We are working very hard to maintain the quality and variety of our vendors,” he said. “That’s a priority for us.”

With more than 250 volunteers, the association logged more than 1,400 hours. Dessert said that’s an estimated $38,000 worth of volunteer hours.

“I thought that was pretty significant,” Dessert said. “People tend to overlook volunteer hours. If you don’t volunteer, you have to pay for it.”

Now that the 2014 Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival has passed, it’s on to the next one — and time to give away some money.

While the association brought in more than $100,000 in revenue, there are still costs that need to be covered, including office rental space, bills for police coverage, insurance and other such bills that go into putting the festival on each year.

After all is said and done, the association will give between $35,000-$40,000 in community grants.

Applications are due by Friday, Oct. 24.

The association has awarded grants for a variety of projects in the past, including stairways to the public beach, community flower planters, food banks, senior services, schools, arts, library and more.

“We feel it’s better to give a little to everyone than a huge amount to one,” Dessert said.

The association serves groups in the 98293 zip code. Grants will be awarded during the association meeting the first Monday in December at Whidbey General Hospital.

It is also time to find art for the 2015 festival poster. The association is accepting proposals until Monday, Sept. 15.

Dessert said the selection will be done in November, the art will be unveiled in January and posters will be printed in February.

Last year, five entries were submitted. The winning artist receives $500.

For complete details and to submit an application or to enter the poster contest, go to www.coupevillefestival.com