About
The Mercer Island Community Fund
is a community-based public charity founded in 1985 for the purpose of issuing grants to other public charities that sponsor programs and projects that benefit the citizens of Mercer Island.
The Mercer Island
Community Fund
P.O. Box 751
Mercer Island, WA 98040
For general information:
info@micommunityfund.org
For information about grants or to submit a grant:
grants@micommunityfund.org
For information about joining our board contact:
president@micommunityfund.org
MICF Board
2011 - 2012
Tracy Landsman
Vice President
Barb Shephard
Secretary
Jan Seetin
Treasurer
Gail Steinitz
Grants Chair
Don Braman
Felicia Brooks
Anne Carden
Cheryl Frizzell
Kris Kelsay
Elif Lee
Julie Naylor
Lynda Olson
Judith Prince
June Wong
--------------
Advisory Committee
Nancy Baynham
Kathy Bremner
Bryan Cairns
Liz Callahan
Marilyn Campbell
Beth Cordova
Marc Cordova
Lola Deane
Don Desonier
Maggie Dorsey
Kathy Erickson
Jo Ferullo
Denny Henkel
Roger Hilbert
John Gordon Hill
Cynthia Howe
Bob Jensen
Jan Johnson
Marcia Johnson
Susan Kaplan
Sue Ketcham
Andrea Lorig
Joyce Mark
Dick Martin
Chris Mochel
Terry Moreman
John Nelson
Jim Pearman
Terry Pottmeyer
Gordon Rasmussen
John Ravits
Chris Ray
Kris Robbs
Lynn Rodgers
Dave Ross
Cynthia Shelton
Sue Sherwood
Patty Shipman
Sarah Sjkinner
Mary Smersh
David Stahl
John Townsend
Dirk van der Burch
Tony Vedrich
David Weed
Carrie York Williams
Brice York
2011 - 2012
Benson Wong
President
President
Tracy Landsman
Vice President
Barb Shephard
Secretary
Jan Seetin
Treasurer
Gail Steinitz
Grants Chair
Don Braman
Felicia Brooks
Anne Carden
Cheryl Frizzell
Kris Kelsay
Elif Lee
Julie Naylor
Lynda Olson
Judith Prince
June Wong
--------------
Advisory Committee
Nancy Baynham
Kathy Bremner
Bryan Cairns
Liz Callahan
Marilyn Campbell
Beth Cordova
Marc Cordova
Lola Deane
Don Desonier
Maggie Dorsey
Kathy Erickson
Jo Ferullo
Denny Henkel
Roger Hilbert
John Gordon Hill
Cynthia Howe
Bob Jensen
Jan Johnson
Marcia Johnson
Susan Kaplan
Sue Ketcham
Andrea Lorig
Joyce Mark
Dick Martin
Chris Mochel
Terry Moreman
John Nelson
Jim Pearman
Terry Pottmeyer
Gordon Rasmussen
John Ravits
Chris Ray
Kris Robbs
Lynn Rodgers
Dave Ross
Cynthia Shelton
Sue Sherwood
Patty Shipman
Sarah Sjkinner
Mary Smersh
David Stahl
John Townsend
Dirk van der Burch
Tony Vedrich
David Weed
Carrie York Williams
Brice York
History
Lola Deane, a member of the city's 25th anniversary committee, wanted to make sure that there was sustainable funding for programs and projects that benefitted the Mercer Island community. Given the Mercer Island's economic base and demographics, it had proven difficult for community organizations to qualify for government and foundation grants. She proposed that a community foundation be established that would be eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions to fund worthwhile programs and projects.
As part of the “Mercerversary” celebration, the proceeds from an auction provided the seed money for MICF. As stewards of the Mercer Island community’s trust and generous support, the original MICF Board worked with the Seattle Foundation on insuring that funds contributed to MICF were invested in a prudent manner.
Mercer Island Community Fund Today
Funds donated to MICF continued to be managed and invested through the Seattle Foundation and through careful stewardship by the MICF Board over these years, MICF is fiscally strong. In addition, as an all-volunteer organization its administrative costs have remained very low so that more money can be made available for grants.
The MICF Board solicits donations from residents of Mercer Island during the fall each year. By doing so, MICF provides Mercer Island families and individuals an opportunity to contribute to one organization that in turn benefits a wide variety of Island charitable causes. For instance, MICF grants have enriched the lives of the youth through its support of arts and sports activities and have enriched the lives of Mercer Island seniors.
MICF simplifies the process of charitable giving while strengthening our community. In 2011 MICF proudly awarded almost $25,000 in grants. MICF carefully considers applications from eligible organizations for funding program and projects that benefit the Mercer Island community in the following categories (i) arts, (ii) environment, (iii) community development, (iv) recreation, (v) social services, (vi) education and (vii) health. To be eligible for a grant from MICF (i) the recipient must be an organization that has received a determination from the Internal Revenue Service that it qualifies as a “501(c)(3)” organization, and it must not have a religious or political purposes. The grant application may not be for programs or projects that involve unlawful discrimination.
When reviewing grant applications, the MICF Board carefully considers the applicant’s commitment to serving the Mercer Island community, its fiscal policies and responsibility, and the nature of the program or project for which it is requesting support.
Historically, grants have ranged from an annual sponsorship of Island events such as Summer Celebration and Mostly Music in the Park, to providing Island-based public charities with funds to launch new programs or to continue well-established programs. By awarding these grants MICF strives to respond to the changing needs of the Mercer Island community.
MICF is proud of the large number of public charities that it has supported in order to make Mercer Island a great place to live.
