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Orcas Island Community Foundation

EIN 91-1680527 · Eastsound, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOSTERING PHILANTHROPY TO ENHANCE AND PRESERVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE ON ORCAS ISLAND.

Income
$10.5 million
Spending
$7.2 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
6
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$172,450, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $6.3 million spent. GRANT MAKING - THE ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FACILITATED OVER $6.8 MILLION IN GRANTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS IN 2025. THIS INCLUDED COMMUNITY GRANT AWARDS THROUGH THE TWO SUCCESSFUL GIVE ORCAS CAMPAIGNS. 637 DONORS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SPRING CAMPAIGN, DONATING $471,939 TO 38 NONPROFIT PROPOSALS. THE HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN GARNERED DONATIONS FROM 645 DONORS AND PROVIDED $339,092 IN GRANTS TO 33 PROPOSALS. ADDITIONAL GRANTS WERE MADE THROUGH DONOR ADVISED FUNDS AND NONPROFIT FUNDS UNDER MANAGEMENT.
  2. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP - THE ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HOSTS MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP TO SURFACE ISSUES, COLLABORATE ON SOLUTIONS, AND BUILD COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. OICF MAINTAINS A NONPROFIT DIRECTORY ONLINE AND HOSTS A LISTSERV TO CONNECT ORGANIZATIONS, VOLUNTEERS, AND DONORS. ADDITIONALLY, OICF OFFERS BOARD AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OFFERS FREE USE OF THE COMMUNITY MEETING SPACE OPEN TO ALL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
  3. $362,582 spent. FIDUCIARY SERVICES - THE ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION STEWARDS FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING DONOR ADVISED FUNDS, NON PROFIT FUNDS, BOTH RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED, SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AND FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS. IN 2025, 14 NEW FUNDS WERE OPENED, BRINGING THE TOTAL UNDER MANAGEMENT TO 212. OICF OFFERS FOUR INVESTMENT SLEEVES- A MEDIUM TO LONG TERM FUND, A LOW FEE EXCHANGE TRADED FUND, A SHORT TERM FUND, AND THE BLUE MARBLE FUND- AN ESG FUND. ALL FUND ADVISORS HAVE SEAMLESS ACCESS TO THEIR FUND ACCOUNTING AND GRANT MAKING ONLINE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.