For the first time in three years, San Juan Islanders will get together in person next week for four days of community celebration, education, and entertainment at the San Juan County Fair. To help translate that community spirit into action in the weeks and months that follow, the San Juan Island Community Foundation is preparing to launch its 2022 County Fair Giving Campaign.
In partnership with SJICF, 30 island nonprofits will raise funds for a broad array of community-focused projects during the four days of the Fair. This year’s projects address needs from all corners of life on San Juan Island, including food security, affordable housing, animal welfare, community health programs, and high-wage job training. They also seek to support visual and performing arts programming, outdoor recreation, community gathering spaces, education initiatives for youth and adults, conservation programs, and the strengthening of local food production systems.
To amplify each nonprofit’s fundraising efforts and help ensure the success of their projects, the first $1,000 in donations to every project during the campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation. Each project is also eligible for up to $2,500 in bonus grants awarded by SJICF throughout the Fair. To maximize the impact of islanders’ contributions, SJICF will cover any donation transaction fees.
To be eligible for matching funds and bonus grants, project donations must be made during the four days of the County Fair – Aug. 17–20. Donors can contribute in person at the SJICF booth in the Main Building at the Fairgrounds, online at www.sjicf.org/fair, by phone to SJICF at 360-378-1001, or by mailing a check payable to SJICF (dated between Aug. 17–20) with the name of the nonprofit in the memo line to P.O. Box 1352, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
The Community Foundation will grant all donated funds, matching funds, and bonus grants directly to participating nonprofits following the County Fair.
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.