Whidbey Community Foundation

Looking ahead, Goosefoot and WCF are excited to welcome Oak Harbor-based Island Thrift as a funding partner for the Essential Needs program with a $20K starting in 2025. #communitysupport "This collaboration marks a significant milestone, with three of the island’s largest philanthropic organizations uniting to support the vital needs of our community." – Jessie Gunn, WCF, Executive Director Island Thrift is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enhance the quality of life on Whidbey. Their thrift store sales support local orgs and charities in the form of grants and gifts. This means that when shopping there, customers are directly helping to fund programs and services that make our community a better place to live. Thank you, Island Thrift! Read more on our blog and help us continue to support our neighbors in need by donating to the Essential Needs Program year-around: https://lnkd.in/gqFH6dzk #whidbeygives #EssentialNeeds #CommunityFundraiser #hereforgood #whidbeynonprofit #givewhereyoulive #thatgivingfeeling #philanthrophy #nonprofit

Here on Whidbey Island, we understand the importance of community and the lasting impact we can have when we come together. Whether it's supporting local nonprofits or preserving the unique spirit of our island, each of us has the power to make a difference—not just today, but for generations to come. As part of National Estate Planning Awareness Week, we encourage you to think about the legacy you want to leave. Estate planning isn’t just about protecting your assets—it’s a chance to ensure that the causes you care about, and the community we all love, continue to thrive long into the future. Read more in our October newsletter: https://conta.cc/40iAL1D

There is still time to register for next week's workshop! Change is rarely easy, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. Join us as we explore succession planning practices and enhance your nonprofit’s readiness for change. Join WCF and Nonprofit Association of Washington on Oct 29, from 9:00AM - 1:00PM PT for Readiness For Change, a nonprofit workshop for organizations serving Whidbey Island. Learn more & RSVP: https://lnkd.in/d7pmVRDT

We’re so glad to see that field-of-interest funds and designated funds are gaining popularity. A field-of-interest fund allows you to support a specific charitable cause by leveraging the community foundation’s expertise. A designated fund allows you to support a favorite charity or charities over time. Best of all, if you’re over the age of 70 ½, both of these funds are eligible recipients of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from your IRA, up to $105,000 a year. Reach out to learn more about field-of-interest funds, designated funds, and QCDs. Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gYz86Mia

Is your organization looking for volunteers? Or maybe you have an event you would like to share? Join the growing list of local nonprofits who have claimed their profile in our Nonprofit Directory to start sharing events, open positions and more! Claim your FREE Locable profile today to start exploring all the free tools available to your nonprofit. Claim your free profile: https://lnkd.in/g4hEN_ZJ

Together with many generous members of the community, Goosefoot and WCF partnered for a 4th year to raise over $85K for the Essential Needs Program and have helped over 500 households, the majority of whom earn less than 30% of the median income in Island County. #neighborshelpingneighbors For those that receive this support, a small amount can make or break whether they can continue to contribute to, participate in and enrich our community. We all benefit when our neighbors have their essential needs met. 🙏 Thank you, Whidbey! Whether you donated directly, rounded up at the Goose Grocer ($20K raised alone!), or helped spread the word–we appreciate you making our annual Fundraiser a part of your philanthropy. Donors can still contribute to the program at any time and learn more at https://lnkd.in/gqFH6dzk. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement regarding our 2025 fundraising campaign! #whidbeygives #EssentialNeeds #CommunityFundraiser #hereforgood #whidbeynonprofit. #givewhereyoulive #thatgivingfeeling #philanthrophy #nonprofit #communityfirst

The Whidbey Community Foundation is excited to announce the launch of the Whidbey Affordable Housing Fund (WAHF), a new funding initiative aimed at addressing the ongoing affordable housing crisis on Whidbey Island. The fund, established by JADE Craftsman Builders with contributions from JADE and their clients, is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations focused on creating perpetually affordable housing on the island. By providing bridge loans, WAHF seeks to support projects that are near shovel-ready, currently under construction, or close to completion. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gquFXKSA

Change is rarely easy, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. Join us as we explore succession planning practices and enhance your nonprofit’s readiness for change. Together we will build our collective abilities to navigate times of transition with grace, clarity, and purpose. Join WCF and Nonprofit Association of Washington on Oct 29, from 9:00AM - 1:00PM PT for Readiness For Change, a nonprofit workshop for organizations serving Whidbey Island. Learn more & RSVP: https://lnkd.in/d7pmVRDT

It’s that time of year! You may be starting to review your tax projections to determine an ideal level of charitable giving at the end of 2024. Before you start writing checks, you might stop to consider the many types of assets that frequently make even better gifts to your fund at the community foundation. Our team can help you and your advisors identify the best assets for year-end giving. Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gdHzHq7y

2024 is rapidly drawing to a close! Your organization, like many nonprofits, is likely making plans to send a letter to your donors asking them to consider making a gift as part of your annual appeal strategy. Don’t miss this opportunity to weave in messages about your endowment fund and how important it is for donors to support both current and future needs of your organization. Here are a few tips and suggestions for crafting an annual appeal letter to inspire both current and endowment gifts. Read more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/dKbiphW5