Grant Recipients

Grants have included annual sponsorships of Island events such as Summer Celebration, Youth Theatre Northwest productions, and Mostly Music in the Park; provided start up funds to Island-based public charities such as Youth and Family Services and the Farmers Market; and continued well-established programs in times of need such as the annual City of Mercer Island Fireworks presentation in 2011. By awarding these grants, MICF strives to respond to the changing needs of the Mercer Island community.

Examples of Past Grant Recipients

Mercer Island Youth and Family Service Day Camp Programs

The Campership Program provides Summer Camp Scholarship for children and youth of low income island families to reach 50-58 children. “Day Camps” for 15-25 children, include before or after school care during the school year that will support employment stability and allow working families to remain afloat.

Mercer Island Parks and Recreation—Adventure Playground and Leap for Green Fair

Adventure Playground is a successful, popular summer program offered free to the youth and families of Mercer Island, to “unplug” youth from electronics in a safe stimulating environment to experience nature, outdoors play and creativity. The Adventure Playground’s goal is to allow the children to have safe, supervised unstructured play in a forest environment as a counterpart to the time that children are in rigid schedules.

The Leap for Green Fair recognizes Earth Day in an interactive event, open 4 hours, promoting responsible human impacts on the environment. This event consists of musical entertainment, food, sustainable vendors, arts/crafts, animals, planting projects and more. Additionally, this event showcases local goods and services, government and non-profit resources.

Youth theater northwest

YTN nurtures the creative and personal growth of children and youth through arts education, and provides the broader community with accessible, family-friendly, live theater experiences. It is often the first introduction to the performing arts and the beginning of a life-long connection to arts and culture. YTN is the only organization on MI devoted exclusively to the arts by and for young people (8-18). These funds supported the production of the season's first production, Glinda of Oz theatre production – There were 3 performances at the MIHS Performing Arts Center during three weeks in July & August, 2016.

MIHS Boys & Girls Soccer Booster Club

MICF's grant helped the Mercer Island High School Boys Soccer Booster Club and Girls Soccer Booster Club purchase a set of two portable sideline shelters to be used to protect players from the rain, wind, and other inclement weather. Shelters reside permanently at the MIHS athletic stadium. In addition to the over 100 MIHS soccer players who can use the shelters each year, other community teams, such as the Girls and Boys Lacrosse teams, the Mercer Island Football Club teams, and MI adult soccer league teams can use the shelters.

Athletes for kids

MICF’s support is making a difference in the lives of children with special needs and the high school athletes who mentor them.

On Sunday, August 18TH Athletes For Kids shared a booth with the Mercer Island Community Fund. The MICF volunteers at the event were impressed with and enjoyed having the Athletes for Kids volunteers in the same booth.

The first mentor meeting for Athletes for Kids to start the school year at Mercer Island High School will be on Wednesday, September 18.

Together, MICF and Athletes for Kids can make a difference to the lives of special needs kids on the island.

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D.A.R.E. | Drug Education

Ellsworth House

Friends of the Library

Friendship Circle of WA

Island Choral Experience

Island Crest Baseball Field Renovation

Island Park PTA Cultural Enrichment

Island Vision | Leap for Green

Islander Middle School Spanish Program

Island Youth Ballet

Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club

Mercer Island Band Boosters/ Drum major podium

Mercer Island Band/Orchestra Boosters

Mercer Island Cross Country and Track Club

Mercer Island Emergency Management

Mercer Island Farmers Market

Mercer Island Fire Department | CPR Program

Mercer Island Girls Basketball

Mercer Island High School | Band Uniforms, China Trip, Tournament of Roses parade, Career Day, Chess Club, parent education

Mercer Island Historical Society

Mercer Island Music in the Park

Mercer Island Open Space Conservancy Trust

Mercer Island Public Safety Dive Team

Mercer Island Soccer Booster Club

Mercer Island Special Olympics

Mercer Island Strivers

Mercer Island Substance Abuse Committee

Mercer Island Summer Celebration

Mercer Island Visual Arts League

Mercer Island Volleyball Booster Club

Mercer Island Water Polo Booster Club

Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Family Assistance Program

Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Parent Edge

Mostly Music in the Park

Neighbors in Motion

Northwest Center | Mary Wayte Pool

NW Parkinson’s Foundation

Patti’s Play Center

Safe Rides

Seattle Shakespeare Company

Senior Foundation of Mercer Island

Stroum Jewish Community Center | Center Stage| Tot Dock

Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund

Sunnybeam School

Team O

West Mercer Elementary Environmental Learning Project, Playground, Art Project