As is the custom, the event began with a sumptuous breakfast served by the Foundation’s all volunteer Board of Directors. Recognition of special annual grants and scholarship awards were also made.

The Foundation especially wishes to express its deep regard for the many donors who made today’s grants possible.  “In tough economic times the citizens of our very special community have come out in force to help our local non-profits and public institutions.  While many areas of the country saw up to a 40% decline in charity contributions, our local donors have stepped up to the challenge allowing the Foundation to significantly increase total grants above last year’s $700,000” according to Charles Anderson, Chair.

The following new awards were made today:

Chamber Music San Juans — $1,250 for a Free Classical Music Concert for Friday Harbor School Aged Students

Island Stage Left – $2,000 for a Community Outreach Program

San Juan Community Theatre – $5,000 for the Merry Firebird production

The Friday Harbor Veterans Museum – $2,000 for their capital improvement project

Friends of the Library – $3,000 for Audio-Visual Equipment

San Juan Historical Museum – $1,000 toward the purchase of a color copier

San Juan Islands’ Museum of Art and Sculpture Park – $1,000 toward Art in the Schools K-12

WSU Extension of San Juan County – $6,250 for a workshop and high tunnel installation

Washington Trust for Historic Preservations – $1,000 for San Juan Island Historic Barn Inventory

Friends of the San Juans – $1,000 toward a new server for the Natural Resources Database

Islands’ Oil Spill Association – $1,900 for new protection strategies and safety training for responders.

San Juan Nature Institute – $675 for the Young Naturalist Program and $343 for a digital camera.

Friday Harbor Labs – $1,500 for their Science Outreach Program.

The Whale Museum – $2,555 for a computer and $1000 toward new engines for the Stranding Network boat

Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – $2,500 for a maintenance equipment shed, Stage 1

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition – $1,000 for Youth Leadership Summit

Senior Services Council of San Juan County – $3,600 for the Friends of Neighbors In-Home Assistance.

Hospice of San Juan – $4,000 for Education and Volunteer Training

San Juan Community Home Trust – $1,700 for radiant heaters and $5,000 for solar hot water heating units for the Sun Rise project.

San Juan Island Family Resource Center – $1,500 for the “Read to Your Child 20 Minutes a Day” program

Lighthouse Preschool – $1,310 for upgrades to their interactive play area

Griffin Bay Learning Center – $4,500 for technology expansion

Camp Invention – $800 for Camp Invention Scholarships

Family Umbrella Group – $5,500 for Preschool Scholarships

Friday Harbor Athletic Association – $1,000 for helmet repairs and equipment purchase

Friday Harbor Elementary School PTA – $2,500 for musical instrument acquisition

Stillpoint School – $500 for theater scripts and overhead projector

The Foundation wishes to express its sincere thanks to Chef James Kearse; King’s Market; Jackie Perry, Heather Eytcheson, & Leslie Byron; Mullis Senior Community Center who helped make this event possible.

For more information on the Breakfast of Champions or the Community Foundation, please contact Susan Matthews at 378-1001 or visit the office at The Technology Center, Suite Mullis Street, Friday Harbor, WA.

“We are saddened by the loss of Jerry Inskeep and overwhelmed by the generosity of this man, whose gift will forever change the educational opportunities for our island’s children,” said Charles Anderson, chair.

Jerry was a resident of San Juan Island.  He graduated from Yale University in 1953 and went on to co-found Oregon’s first mutual fund company which he built into one of the country’s most reputable investment firms.  He was an avid skier, enjoyed tennis, bridge, golf and managing the design and construction of his homes.  He received great pleasure from helping others and provided education opportunities through scholarships for students in Oregon, California, Connecticut and Washington states.

Bev Tietjen, Foundation board member, said, “As chair of the scholarship committee I had the pleasure to work with Jerry as he ‘paid it forward’, establishing scholarships awarded to many of our San Juan Island graduates.  Jerry was also a very dear friend.  When he graduated from high school without the funds to proceed on to college, a gentle man stepped up and helped him fulfill his dream and changed his life.  Jerry’s hope was to make that kind of difference in other’s lives and I am proud to say he has done just that.  Because of his kindness, his legacy will continue on in perpetuity.”

The Community Foundation supports island nonprofits working in the areas of Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness and Community.  The Foundation hosts a number of scholarship funds and makes grants for education from preschool through college.

For more information on the Community Foundation’s Scholarship programs or the Legacy Gift Program, please contact Susan Matthews at 378-1001 or visit the office at The Technology Center, Suite 104,   Mullis Street, Friday Harbor, WA.

The San Juan Island Community Foundation, at the request of the Critical Needs Task Force Steering Committee, today awarded thirteen grants totalling more than $50,000 to local organizations targeted at helping those most affected by the current economic turn-down.

The funded projects range from increasing capacity of existing service providers to creating new pilot programs that are designed to cover unmet needs in our community. Expanded food delivery to the needy, social and health services assistance and children’s programs are addressed by the grants. New projects include a community services database in print and electronic form for easy and comprehensive access to local resources, and the creation of a volunteer coordination center to help match community service projects to local volunteers.

The funded projects are:

San Juan Access, $ 2,500

Grantee: SJICF – Internally Sponsored.  Partner organizations: SJI Community Foundation & SJI Library

Current information is scattered and/or incomplete or outdated. This new county-wide services database will profile all organizations and services. Information will be accessible through a web browser interface. Client access will be text based and simple to use and navigate. The service provider interface will allow instant updates of service profiles and keyword access to services. Cross links between providers and services will be incorporated to aid client navigation.

Hot Lunch and Meals-on-Wheels/Hospice programs Expansion, $5,000

Grantee: San Juan Senior Advisory Committee.  Partner programs/organizations: Senior Services, Meals-on-Wheels, Hospice,

Utilization of the Senior Center hot lunch program has increased sharply from 2008 to 2009. This plan will expand existing programs from two days per week to three days, coordinate for efficient service with Meals-on-Wheels and Hospice, and broaden the recipient base to include every person in need of a healthy meal. This three-month pilot program known as Wednesday Lunch for All is underway. Total cost $7,400 with estimated $2,400 in revenue.

Increased Service Capacity for Food Bank,  $2,500

Grantee: Friday Harbor Food Bank. Partner programs/organizations: Food Bank

The San Juan Island Food Bank served approx 10% of island households in 2008. Usage and demand have nearly doubled. Additional shelving is needed to stock and supply the extra food.

Community Health Services Information and Education Campaign,  $2,000

Grantee: San Juan Senior Advisory Committee. Partner programs/organizations: Senior Services, Family Resource Center, SJI Community Foundation, SJI Library

Members of the Healthcare and other CNTF work groups have been surprised to learn how many programs and services are currently available at the Mullis Center and other specific local sites. A number of these services and programs are open to the entire community but publicity has been limited. This campaign will consolidate the wide spectrum of information about existing medical and social services programs into one, easy-to-use and understand resource and make it available to those in need.

Prescription Drug Support,  $3,000

Grantee: San Juan Senior Advisory Committee.  Partner programs/organizations: SJI Family Resource Center

Basic Health Insurance has stopped accepting applicants until its state subsidized rolls are reduced by 40,000 participants. This will eliminate this valuable low-income option for many people for years to come. Medicaid is only available to those who are Aged, Blind or Disabled leaving out most low income people. Prescription drugs are the highest value tool to allow those with chronic illness to function in the community and remain independent outside medical institutions. This is a three-month pilot program to provide temporary funding of prescription medications when other resources fail.

Preschool Scholarships,  $5,000

Grantee: SJI Family Resource Center.  Partner programs/organizations: SJI Family Resource Center, Lighthouse Preschool

Supporting children, who are the most vulnerable in times of family stress, by offering a pre-school opportunity to every child is the goal of this program. This is an expansion of existing scholarship opportunities to low and middle income families. Parents participate and contribute to at least half of the tuition.

Summer School Scholarships,  $4,000

Grantee: SJI Elementary School.  Partner programs/organizations: SJI Family Resource Center, Public schools

State budget cuts have forced the closure of San Juan island summer school. Summer school helps young people stay engaged with learning and has been found to positively affect students in the long run. The summer school program will be restored and 25-35 children will directly benefit.

FerryPass: Financial assistance for off-island transportation,  $1,500

Grantee: Family Resource Center.  Partner programs/organizations: San Juan County Social Services, Soroptomists

Many island residents are seeking state assistance for healthcare and unemployment benefits and this support currently requires visits to the mainland. The people who can least afford these trips are being required to do so. This three-month pilot program will coordinate and financially assist with off island transportation costs and will be administered by the Family Resource Center.

Adult English language classes,  $4,800

Grantee: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services.  Partner programs/organizations: Family resource Center

Expand existing English language and daycare program to those who are not necessarily DVSAS victims.

Jobs Bulletin Boards,  $500

Grantee: Family Resource Center.  Partner programs/organizations: Family resource Center, Food Bank

Locate a bulletin board at the Food Bank and the Family Resource Center and explore utilization of a portion of the existing Kiwanis board at the post office as a job board.

Create a San Juan Volunteer Coordination Center,  $7,000

Grantee: SJICF Special Program.  Partner programs/organizations: Many! Schools, Friends & Neighbors, Senior Services, Family Resource Center, etc…

A three month pilot program to support the coordination and expansion of existing volunteer programs.

Scholarship support for Camp Eagle Rock,  $2,400

Grantee: Family Resource Center.   Partner programs/organizations: Family resource Center, San Juan Island Rec

Existing scholarships do not meet the needs of many families. Additional finances will provide for up to 29 children to participate in a safe and enriching environment during the summer.

SJI Family Resource Center Capacity Building,  $5,000

Grantee: Family Resource Center.  Partner programs/organizations: many!

To support increased use and expansion of programs and to create and coordinate new programs supported by the CNTF process.

Critical Need Program Reserve,  Up to $5,000

Grantee: SJICF Healthy Community Fund Reserve

Many of the programs above are pilots which, if successful will require long term funding. The reserve has been created to help fund these during the transition period while permanent funding is secured.

The Foundation wishes to thank the San Juan Community Theater for generously providing the room and garden for today’s award event and to the following organizations which provided space for the many meetings of the Task Force: Skagit Valley College (Friday Harbor Campus), Key Bank, SJI Library, Friday Harbor Town Firehall, Windemere Realty, Friday Harbor House, San Juan County Offices and the SJI Family Resource Center. Additionally, hundreds of islanders took the time to participate and engage in these conversations, striving to invigorate our community across all sectors.

The Community Foundation serves as a non-profit philanthropic umbrella organization helping donors, non-profits and public organizations to achieve their goals through direct grants, organizational assistance and philanthropic resource management. The Critical Needs Task Force grew from the Foundations’ desire to address the immediate critical needs in the community as a result of the economic downturn. For more information contact the Community Foundation office at 378-1001.

The impact of the economic downturn has affected many lives in the San Juans. Lost jobs, closed businesses and mortgage foreclosures have sent many of our working and retired citizens into a tailspin. Use of community support services has dramatically increased. Organizations such as the Food Bank, Family Resource Center and Senior Services are faced with an ever growing list of clients. Through the diligent work of over 300 local volunteers working under the structure of the Critical Needs Task Force, many of those needs will now be met.

The Task Force, formed early this year under the sponsorship of the San Juan Island Community Foundation, has developed a list of short term funding priorities which will help lessen the impact of the crisis and begin the process of local recovery.

Based upon these recommendations, The San Juan Island Community Foundation has developed a special fund and will be awarding over a dozen grants, totally more than $50,000 at a special Critical Needs Awards Ceremony. The funds will be used to support a range of existing and new programs including basic food support, healthcare and improved access to safe and enriching environments for children. A portion of the funds will be dedicated to improving the capacity of our existing community organizations that are faced with rapidly growing requests for services.

The Critical Needs Award Ceremony and Celebration will be held on July 15^th, from 5:30 – 7 pm in the Steele Garden/Gubelman Room at the San Juan Community Theatre. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

The Community Foundation serves as a non-profit philanthropic umbrella organization helping donors, non-profits and public organizations to achieve their goals through direct grants, organizational assistance and philanthropic resource management. The Critical Needs Task Force grew from the Foundations’ desire to address the immediate critical needs in the community as a result of the economic downturn. For more information contact the Community Foundation office at 378-1001.

What began with an idea from the San Juan Island Community Foundation to actively address the local impact of the global economic downturn on the island community, has blossomed into the formation of community-wide workgroups involving in total, over 300 local people who are creating solutions for our community’s greatest needs.

The immediate focus is developing a short list of priority funding for a new Critical Needs grant cycle by the Community Foundation to be awarded within 60 days.

“The premise of the Critical Needs Task Force is to reach out to those whose lives have been most displaced by our economic times while bringing control of our community’s future back to a simpler and more sustainable model,” said Charles Anderson, Chair of the Community Foundation. “We hope that these ‘area-of-need’ community conversations will continue on a permanent basis and serve as a think tank for new community solutions to our most pressing problems.”

The Task Force is an open-ended group, see organization chart (powerpoint file) or (jpeg). The group will also serve to foster a list of new infrastructure initiatives, develop a new community services electronic access system and enable public policy support for projects designated as high priority by the workgroups.

“We are also working with the other islands in this process. Shared solutions will benefit us all and make us a stronger overall community,” said Pamela Gross, SJI Community Foundation Board member.

The Foundation wishes to recognize and thank the organizations that have provided meetings space at no cost for the myriad meetings that have occurred over the last four months: Key Bank, Friday Harbor House, Whidbey Island Bank, Friday Harbor Library and Windermere Realty.

The Community Foundation serves as a non-profit philanthropic umbrella organization helping donors, non-profits and public organizations to achieve their goals through direct grants, organizational assistance and philanthropic resource management. The Foundation office is located in the Technology Center, Mullis St., phone 378-1001.

The San Juan Island Community Foundation (SJICF) has established a new fund to promote local non-profit and public organizations and their projects that foster the education and practice of community stewardship of our environmental resources.

The Environmental Stewardship Fund is a pooled membership fund open to all San Juan residents and organizations and will, through a collective review and voting process, advise the SJICF board on how to prioritize relevant grant requests.

“The San Juans are a unique island community, offering unmatched opportunities and challenges to restore, protect and preserve our natural environment and to thoughtfully consider the impact of the use of our precious resources,” said Charles Anderson, Foundation chair.  “This fund allows members to support the growing number of environmental stewardship programs through a combination of giving and decision making.”

The fund has, within weeks of its founding, raised and funded its first project: the Sustainable San Juans Earth Day Celebration which is taking place today, Saturday April 18 (see: www.stewardshipsjc.org).

There are no fees applied to the Fund, 100% of every donation will go to support local projects.

The Community Foundation serves as a non-profit philanthropic umbrella organization helping donors, non-profits and public organizations to achieve their goals through direct grants, organizational assistance and philanthropic resource management. The work of the SJICF is supported through individuals’ direct contributions to the SJICF Operations Fund. 

If you would like to join with others in supporting Environmental Stewardship in our community or support the general work of the Foundation, please call Susan Matthews, SJICF Program Coordinator, 378-1001.

Recognizing the impact of the world-wide economic turndown on local families and businesses, the San Juan Island Community Foundation (SJICF) is creating a Critical Needs Task Force to identify newly emerging needs for basic community support.  The Task Force will be formed over the next month and is designed to bring together non-profits, public organizations, service groups and interested individuals to develop and implement a strategic plan to efficiently bring needed and creative support to usher our community through these hard times.

“We believe this situation goes way beyond the usual need for food, clothing, housing and medical care – services that island non-profits already address,” said Pamela Gross, Foundation board member liaison for basic needs funding.   “The challenge will be to not only strengthen our local non-profits who address these needs, but to broaden the scope of support to include a whole new segment of our community that has never before needed or used assistance.  We want to mitigate the effect the current financial crisis is having on our already strapped and declining working middle class.  The cost of living on the island is already high and even fully employed families, faced with declining investment and savings earnings, are feeling the pinch.” 

“The Task Force will also be charged with developing long term solutions to help buffer working islanders and local businesses from future fluctuations in our economy.  Education, job retraining and affordable housing will help promote a more diversified business climate that will be key to a long term survival of our community,” according to Charles Anderson, Foundation Chair.  “We see an opportunity for the Community Foundation to serve as a catalyst and bring together non-profits and community organizations while helping assist with financial support.”

Non-profits, public organizations and individuals who currently serve our community’s critical needs are encouraged to contact the San Juan Island Community Foundation during December and to join with us in defining the role of the Critical Needs Task Force.

The Community Foundation serves as a non-profit philanthropic umbrella organization helping donors, non-profits and public organizations to achieve their goals through direct grants, organizational assistance and philanthropic resource management. 

For more information on the role the San Juan Island Community Foundation is having in our charitable community please contact or visit our office at 378-1001, Technology Center, Mullis Street, Friday Harbor.

Island Stage Left

“The grant we received from the Community Foundation helped us purchase the plywood we needed for the stage that had to be rebuilt for the coming season.  Thank you for being there when we needed you!” Helen Machin-Smith