Submitted by the San Juan Island Community Foundation.

When 30 nonprofit organizations on San Juan Island asked for the community’s help last month, islanders responded in a big way. 350 people came together to donate over $100,000 in just four days in support of important local projects as part of the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s 2023 County Fair Giving Campaign.

There were $29,000 in additional matching funds awarded by SJICF, bringing the four-day giving total to $130,000.

“These donations will make a positive impact throughout the San Juan Island community,” said SJICF Operations Manager Carrie Unpingco. “They will help sustain projects related to community health services, animal welfare, addiction and recovery resources, visual and performing arts programming, public transportation services, conservation programs, and local food production systems.”

The 2023 County Fair Giving Campaign was a community effort, with individual donations ranging in size from as little as $5 to as much as $5,000. Donors also showed support for a broad range of organizations, with more than 100 people contributing to multiple projects.

As part of their participation in the campaign, each nonprofit must submit a grant evaluation and status report to SJICF to provide details about the ways in which the donations they received made a positive and measurable impact.

Established in 1994, SJICF grants funds to local nonprofits and provides scholarships to local students through the generosity of donors who wish to improve the quality of life on San Juan Island. SJICF’s mission is to help the San Juan Island community thrive through inspired and informed generosity and the Foundation’s trusted stewardship. To learn more, visit www.sjicf.org.