Question 1

History

Accepted Answer

In January 1993, a small group of concerned citizens met to discuss ways to raise money for local schools. From this meeting, Leslie Barry Connors, Dr. Heather Carrell, Claudia Fogle and Jane Ritley began researching their options. They believed the problems facing education could be directly linked to the many problems society itself is struggling with. In order to truly benefit children, the problems must be attacked in the broadest sense. This is where the idea of forming a Community Foundation emanated. The founders and subsequent Board Members of Kitsap Community Foundation (KCF) saw that a Community Foundation could serve to not only provide support to address community issues, but that it would serve to assist those committed to philanthropy to provide for community needs in perpetuity through endowments. As a Community Foundation, we see it as our job to be actively involved in our community. We don't just help others invest in our community, we also work as an active force to make Kitsap a more resilient, healthy, strong community. From teaching nonprofits, to creating Kitsap Strong, our poverty alleviation project, we are always working to find ways we can uplift and strengthen Kitsap. KCF prides itself in its donor/investor program, providing a high degree of personalized customer service. With over 100 funds and $12M in assets under management (and growing), this non-profit 501(c)(3) is dedicated to improving the quality of life locally by building grant making endowments. The organization maintains its local focus through its leadership and grant making, while simultaneously providing effective vehicles to support philanthropy locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. With the support of our donor/investors, more than $6.5M in grants, contributions, and scholarships have been made through the foundation since 1999. KCF has had a rich history of volunteerism, which continues today to support the Mission of the organization. A full-time Executive Director and two part-time staff members support the foundation. Since 2003, the KCF Board of Directors has been committed to meeting strict national standards for community foundations by becoming a member of the Council on Foundations (COF). In January 2007, the COF certified KCF as having met the very rigorous National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations for operational quality, integrity, and accountability.

Question 2

What We Do

Accepted Answer

We Provide Guidance And Support To Community Investors   The Kitsap Community Foundation (KCF) is committed to improving life and connecting people who care with causes that matter. As a philanthropy services organization, we help Kitsap County residents maximize both the social impact and tax benefit of their giving. Our resources make it easier to match the most effective non-profits to a donor's favorite philanthropic interest, enabling clients to achieve far more than they could by themselves.

Question 3

Our Focus

Accepted Answer

Effective stewardship: We make wise financial investments for our donors and effective grant investments to our communities. Strong leadership: We are committed to bringing fresh approaches to solving tough issues
in our communities. Strategic partnership: We connect resources to needs, organizations to organizations, and people to people. We believe that informed, engaged donors with the tools and support for effective philanthropy will make our communities thrive. Whether you wish to support a broad area of interests, teach your children or grandchildren responsible charitable giving, support educational opportunity, or refer clients to an organization that can support charitable interests, KCF is here to help. Regardless of your means, KCF offers you simple, straight-forward avenues to contribute long-term to your community.

Question 4

Our Objectives

Accepted Answer

The Kitsap Community Foundation is a tax-exempt, independent and publicly-supported philanthropic organization, organized and operated primarily as a permanent collection of endowed funds. Income from the investment of these funds provides long-term benefits to Kitsap County and its residents through creative advocacy and grant-making activities. Building Endowments: the major source of grant dollars Fulfilling Grant Requests: to support the needs of our community Highest Level of Stewardship: to ensure prudent and effective management of funds Increase Visibility: to increase knowledge of KCF and its services

Question 5

Board of Directors

Accepted Answer

Naveen Chaudhary, Chair
Community Volunteer 
David Nelson, Vice-Chair
Editor - The Kitsap Sun   Dave Schureman, Treasurer
Financial Services Manager, Kitsap County   Daphne Lee-Larson, Secretary Sound West Group Principal

John S. Arthur, M.D.
Community Volunteer 
Bill Benson
Retired CEO - Posh Speaker Systems 
Harriette Bryant
Community Volunteer 
Rick Darrow 
President & CEO, Liberty Bank   David B. De Bruyn
Financial Advisor to Nonprofits 
Walter Draper, IV
Retired Navy Captain, Retired Director of Finance and Operations Bremerton School District 
Margee Duncan
Community Volunteer 
Frank Leach
Broker/Owner, Re/Max Platinum Services, Silverdale 
Patty Lent
Former Bremerton Mayor 
Patty Murphy
CEO – Air Management Solutions   Alice Tawresey
Former Bainbridge Island Mayor   Brad Weiner
UBS Financial Services - SVP-Wealth Management, Portfolio Manager, Wealth Advisor

Question 6

Standing Committees

Accepted Answer

Finance Committee

Investment Committee

Board Development Committee

Grant Review Committee

Question 7

Volunteers

Accepted Answer

Volunteers serve on the Board of Directors, evaluate grant proposals and help at fundraising events. This involvement in KCF's activities creates opportunities and mechanisms for volunteer leaders to share knowledge, ideas and resources to make KCF a powerful resource for good. Thanks volunteers! Grant Evaluators Trained volunteer grant evaluators provide the foundation with valuable assistance in offering local perspective on community needs, and sharing objective findings about grant proposals' fit with KCF funding objectives. Volunteer grant evaluators review the organizations that apply to KCF for grants, producing both verbal and written reports. Grant Evaluator Qualifications Skills required include general knowledge of the community and its non-profit sector; ability to analyze and compare grant applications impartially; ability to communicate concisely, both orally and in writing; understanding of the variety and complexity of community needs; ability to value a diversity of charitable activities in the community; and ability to exercise discretion with confidential information. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a grant evaluator, please contact Funds & Grants Officer, Shaine Schramling at shaine@kitsapfoundation.org or 360-698-3622.

About

Vision

Mission

STAFF

STEPHANIE (CLINE) GEORGE
Interim President & CEO

SHAINE SCHRAMLING

Funds & Grants Officer

GRETCHEN RITTER-

LOPATOWSKI
Creative & Marketing Officer

(360) 698-3622

info@kitsapfoundation.org