Recent Grants

The Youth Positive Behavior Program is an expansion of the existing and successful Challenge and Youth Leadership Program.  The program is targeted toward students in grades 3 to 8.  The participants will develop essential life skills to promote their own physical, emotional/mental and social well-being.  The intent is to ultimately enhance their overall health, school and home relationships, as well as their academic performance. $685

The Culinary Arts program needed text books that represent what is currently taught.  This popular and efficient program funds consumables through student fees and the Culinary Arts budget.  Baked goods and other products are sold to purchase more ingredients and supplies.  New textbooks is a one-time expenditure. $2250

Every public high school student is required to complete a community project.  Many projects are easily executed without a need for funding (creating websites, promoting a community event, coaching youth athletics etc…) but sometimes, a good idea requires supplies and/or materials. Funds for this program were exhausted in 2011. Fund requests undergo a rigorous process and projects benefit both the students and our community. $2000

There was a long overdue and real need to create an efficient way for high school students to better connect with community organizations looking for volunteers.  A well-designed, interactive website has enhanced and improved this process, better matching student volunteers with community needs.  Please visit their new website www.dollarsforscholarssji.org, click on ‘calendar opportunities’ and see how efficiently students and community organizations can link-up. Who knows? Perhaps your organization can benefit from student volunteers!   $2300

Finding professional, touring artists who bring the interest, capacity and areas of expertise that can resonate with students is a challenge. The San Juan Community Theatre, in partnership with Friday Harbor, Spring Street and Paideia schools, has identified two preforming art programs.  With the support of the Community Foundation, two vibrant, interactive educational theatrical programs will expose approximately 450 island high school and middle school students and faculty to the performing arts.  These programs  are purposefully scheduled to maximize costs as these artists will also perform at the Orcas Center during this same time period.  Evening performances are open to the public for community enjoyment and entertainment.   $1000

October 19, 2012:  Dynamic Guitar Duo  and  October 26, 2012:  Nanda’s Performance of The Jacket

Rachel Scott, the first person killed in the Columbine High School tragedy on April 20, 1999, left behind a

challenge to treat others with kindness and compassion.  She wrote an essay “ code_of_ethics” , for a school assignment which inspired the Rachel’s Challenge program.  This special program grew from her dreams to “inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion”.

On February 8th, Rachel’s Challenge — http://www.rachelschallenge.org/  was presented to Friday Harbor students during the school day.  At 5:15 pm the community was invited to join students and their families and share a delicious and freshly prepared meal together n the Friday Harbor High School Commons.  A presentation of Rachel’s Challenge that is open to everyone was held in the Friday Harbor Middle School Commons at 6:15 pm.   $2600

For support of the creation of a county-wide Arts Council whose Vision is – where arts flourish, community prospers and lives are enriched - and whose Mission is to work to promote and integrate the artistic resources of the county for the creative economic development, education and overall well-being of the community.  http://www.sanjuanartscouncil.org    $2500

Community Foundation Board Member Barbara Cable won the Lions Club Annual Shopping Spree at King’s Market.  In four minutes, she collected $738 worth of items such as flour, sugar and paper towels and donated everything to our Food Bank.  Way to go Barbara!

A partnership between the San Juan Nature Institute, The San Juan Preservation Trust and the Whale Museum. Environmental education for 60 students at Camp Eagle Rock as part of its summer program. $750.

For secondary and post-secondary nurse assistant on-island education. Friday Harbor High School/Skagit Valley College, $4000.

Transportation support for low-come residents, including seniors who have necessary medical, unemployment and other types of appointments on the mainland.  San Juan Family Resource Center, $2000.

To purchase books to distribute to children from low and moderate income families as part of the San Juan Family Resource Center “Read to Your Child 20 minutes a Day” initiative. $1500.

Continuing in its leadership role to provide better access to healthcare, the Foundation has to date awarded over $5Million in grants to the PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center for the construction of the new integrated medical center that will be located in Friday Harbor.  Peace Island Medical Center is scheduled to open in late 2012.

The Foundation’s Critical Needs Task Force Broadband Group received a grant for $5000 to hire a local consultant to develop a funding plan that will support the installation of high-speed infrastructure with the goal of over 95% coverage for the islands. To date, over $10 Million in guaranteed loan and other grants have been found.

Arts education promotes creative problem solving and critical thinking, benefiting all areas of core learning. Leading the way, the Island Museum of Arts (IMA) saw arts classes for elementary and middle school students threatened by budget cuts and championed a program to retain and improve these classes. With the help of Foundation donors, art courses will continue to be provided to all elementary and middle school children. Fundraising continues with plans to expand the program. $17,815