Women’s Fund of the
of the San Juan Island Community Foundation
Donate to the Women's Fund
Women’s Foundations and Funds are being introduced in many communities throughout the country, bringing together women of all ages and experiences who share an interest in making their communities better places to live, now and in the future. Many Women’s Fund members are aleady volunteers in Island organizations and have valuable information and insights to share. The Women’s Fund provides women an opportunity to be stakeholders with a voice in how the money is spent. The Women’s Fund is an organized way for women to combine their resources to make a significant impact in our community.
Our Mission
The San Juan Island Community Foundation Women’s Fund is committed to educate and expand the pool of women in philanthropy, to combine and build our resources to make a significant impact in our community, and to increase awareness of important issues facing island nonprofit organizations.
Our History
The Women’s Fund (WF) is modeled after the Washington Women’s Foundation. The WF was founded in 2003 with over 100 members who committed to give $100 in each of the next five years. The WF strives to attract a membership that is broad, diverse, and inclusive.
Why Join?
Many of our island nonprofit organizations are falling short of their objectives from lack of funding. We want to reduce Island nonprofits’ need to spend their time and resources raising money, enabling them to devote their energies to fulfilling their goals. If we pool our money, we can make larger grants that have a significant impact.
How to Join
Agree to give $100 (or more) for five years. Click on the forms icon on the SJICF web page or call 378-1001 (voice mail) for more information. Members can be involved as they want, a little or a lot. They aren’t required to do anything other than donate the funds, study the proposal information, and vote on where the pooled money will go.
How It Works
Each year at the end of August, members vote on nonprofit proposals to determine which ones will receive the pooled funds. The Fund uses the SJICF’s grant process to select a slate of prospective grantees. Each member has one vote. Within the WF there is an emphasis to substantive difference and significant and innovative fund selected grant requests whenever possible. Members are encouraged to become informed before they vote and then vote their passion.
Where The Money Goes
The WF funds proposals from San Juan Island nonprofit organizations in arts; youth & education; human services; health and rehabilitation; and environment. Seventy-five percent (75%) of our members’ contributions each year are pooled together for directed grants and dispersed annually. Twenty-five percent (25%) of our monies are granted to the SJICF general endowment which is invested for future giving to San Juan Island nonprofits.
Donate to the Women's Fund