Opportunities

We seek to upgrade theater production software to Qlab ver. 5, the industry standard. It runs the technical aspects (lights, audio, etc.) of stage productions. Upgrade furthers our mission to train aspiring actors, directors and producers of community theater by affording experience in an environment where small-community volunteer-driven productions function in a more professional manner.

In 2024 the American Legion Post #93 would like to complete the following repairs and upgrades. These projects will ensure the building is safe and accessible for all. Primary projects are roof and kitchen hood repairs, gutter replacement. Upgrading main entrances; including handrails, improving ADA accessibility, and security. Repairing the fence and outdoor space in the Outpost.

Help provide Visual Art lessons for the Orcas Island Middle School in 2024/25. A*OK provides art projects and experiences for all students in the Middle School from the 6th to the 8th Grade, over 90 students! Your funding will support weekly art classes plus it will allow us to continue to exhibit the work at the end of the school year

The Funhouse Commons’ mission and vision is to serve all young people, including those limited by our building’s access. In planning Funhouse programs & events, we are intentional about disability inclusion in our building. Therefore, we are going to change our doors to be ADA accessible for wheelchair users. We will purchase & install ADA access doors for wheelchair users. Project completion 2024.

Our community owned home was among the first to receive OPALCO service, and our 3 panels date to the first AC service brought to Orcas. Replacement parts are no longer accessible. The overloaded panels carry fire risk. We have consolidated our electrical meters and upgraded our service for growth. Replacing our obsolete electrical panels is the final step to ensure safe service in our structure.

OCPA educates islanders to grow their own nutritious food by working together as a team on vacant or under-utilized Orcas farmland. Our program is open to all and focuses on education, community-driven agriculture, and empowerment. We help build resilience in our local food system. Funds will help us buy used farm equipment and formalize this successful, replicable model of community farming.

Help us fund a Portable Solar Generator to use on Patos Island to charge our marine band and walkie talkie, Ham radios, computers, cell phones and batteries for eco powered maintenance tools. This system provides: 4 charging outlets, 4 usb ports, 1/12Vt plug, 4000 peak wattage / 2000 Running. In 2023 KOPL hosted over 1000 visitors to our Lighthouse from the kayaking and boating public. Thank you for your consideration for our cause.

Put an Orcas student on the beach as the summer 2024 Indian Island Youth Steward to greet and guide visitors, and protect the island's fragile eelgrass meadows, wildflowers, tide pools, sea stars and nesting birds for future generations to learn and enjoy! Help celebrate fifteen years of community management and nine years of Robyn Lowe youth stewards.

The Odd Fellows Hall is a very old building in need of repairs and renovations, most of which we take care of out of our own funds. Safety-wise and aesthetically, one of the items needing work most immediately but beyond our budget is the deck. We plan to replace the decking with a wood alternative, re-do the handrail, and waterproof under the deck.

OPAL Community Land Trust has designed ten new homes in Kidder Way, addressing the critical need for affordable housing on Orcas Island. Despite successful fundraising efforts, completing design and selecting a contractor, delays in obtaining county permits have increased project costs. This initiative, upon completion, will provide at least 20-25 Orcas Island residents with the opportunity to live in stable and affordable homes. The residents will be families, seniors, and individuals working in essential community services who are struggling to find affordable housing on the island.

Orcas APS offers subsidized veterinary services to income-qualifying pet guardians. These services decrease shelter intake and promote responsible pet guardianship by providing the spaying and neutering of pets to avoid accidental litters and assisting pet guardians who may not otherwise be able to afford vital care.

Orcas Center's Summer Concert Series returns to the Village Green! Give the gift of entertainment to our community and help fund this incredible program. This year features 12 FREE outdoor concerts on Eastsound's Village Green stage - with touring artists and local music makers, offering world class music from all kinds of genres at zero cost to you and your families. Help Orcas Center with a GiveOrcas donation today!

Prioritizing health is daunting under the best of circumstances. Imagine overcoming health issues without housing stability, adequate finances, or insurance. The Resource Center creates a lifeline to physical and mental well-being by offering more than just a referral. We help navigate access to care through insurance enrollment, travel coordination, financial assistance programs & so much more.

Fresh Bucks is a low-barrier food program, through the Orcas Food Co-op and sponsored by the Resource Center, supporting local farmers and strengthening our community-based food system. Last year, the program impacted 132 households and 301 people. Fresh Bucks contributes to the health of island families by making local fruits & veggies more affordable and adds economic security to local farms.

The care a child receives during their earliest years has a critical impact on their development. For parents, access to quality care for their children is crucial. Financial assistance for families with children under 3 yrs. is scarce. Your generosity will support our youngest islanders & their families and help pay our well trained, qualified staff as they educate & nurture our early learners.

Orcas Island Farmers Market asks for help covering our 2024 rent owed to San Juan County to use the Eastsound Village Green for the summer. Despite rising costs in rent and beyond, we want to keep the cost to participate in the OIFM as a vendor as affordable as possible and avoid raising booth rates yet again. Help us remain a vibrant, fun, and necessary part of our community after 38+ years!

We wish to partner with Alimentando al Pueblo, a Burien-based Hispanic food bank, to help us plan & co-host a summer fiesta (mariachi band & taco plates) & a survey. The survey will verbally capture the Hispanic community's needs at the new Pea Patch campus & of our existing services. The survey will also be available to non-Spanish speaking guests. All ages & ethnic backgrounds are welcome.

Stories of our remarkable island will be told through 5 exterior signs at Museum grounds (E/S and Crow Valley School) and 2 other historic locations related to either maritime history, transportation, heritage fruit, early tourism or more. This is the initial project kick-off with the ultimate goal of more outdoor exhibits around the island. The signs will enrich all who pass by the site – whether an island old-timer, a new resident or a visitor.

Please help us create a new meeting room that can be booked for free by the public. The Library is a community hub providing space for community groups, meetings, tutors, Zoom calls, and more. In 2023, we provided rooms for over 1,800 meetings. We hope to convert the storage room to a 4-person meeting room we believe will create space for 600 more meetings a year.

Featuring a lineup of diverse and celebrated authors from the Pacific Northwest, sharing their work in person in the intimate setting of Eastsound, the Lit Walk fosters community and connection through the arts. Help us continue offering these magical experiences by funding this entirely community-supported event. Orcas thrives on the arts for wellbeing and connection—let's keep this tradition alive!

OSC has achieved remarkable growth, doubling its community engagement in under a year. This award is vital for sustaining this momentum, funding essential supplies, van rentals, and crucially, the Program and Activities Coordinator (PAC) role. The PAC is pivotal in developing, organizing, and delivering OSC's services, ensuring older adults and those with disabilities thrive on Orcas Island.

SAFE San Juans will use your donations to maintain adequate staffing on Orcas Island. The number of domestic and sexual violence survivors on Orcas who are seeking SAFE's help continues to grow along with the time needed to appropriately support them. Supports include safety planning; crisis intervention; help navigating legal, medical, criminal justice, and social services systems; therapy, and advocacy

This year we're replacing key parts to keep our race team boats safe and functional. We once again have kids who can use the more technical boats that we've held on to since the pandemic. This will include updating the rigging on our Lasers, 29ers, and V15s so that the race team, alumni, and the community can take the next steps towards more advanced racing. We'll also be adding some key pieces of training equipment to ensure that the progression to more advanced boats is safe and controlled as well as fun and doable.

The EDC, a nonprofit organization, offers workforce and business/entrepreneur training to meet community need for family-wage jobs. The EDC’s Tech Training initiative includes tech certification courses and tech business workshops, all virtual, and all free or very low cost. Stay-at-home moms of babies, business owners, and many others have learned with us! We’ll include topics such as Cybersecurity, Social Media, and Canva. Funding will cover course fees for 10 ($2,880), plus trainer transport/marketing costs ($350) for a year of tech training on Orcas (in-person and virtual).

The West Sound Community Club, over 120 years old, and a much loved gathering place for the community of West Sound has fallen into stages of disrepair. Our goal is to repair a leaky kitchen roof, add a hot water heater closet and repair rotten siding. With your generosity, we will be able to implement these upgrades for the health, safety and well being of our community!

The community support received through GiveOrcas will help fund Camp Orkila's Day Camp program and youth and adult Spanish/English swim lessons. Your support enables us to provide dynamic learning experiences and high-quality childcare for island families throughout summer, as well as critical water safety skills to kids and adults in Spanish and English.

Partners In Philanthropy

Can't decide which proposal to support? Donate to Partners In Philanthropy and we will use the funds to support all of them!