Bainbridge Community Foundation

08/28/2026

Last week, neighbors filled the Bainbridge Island Senior & Community Center for an afternoon on Estate Planning and Philanthropy with BCF's Jim Hopper and recently retired wealth planner Kristi Matheson. Attendees learned that an estate plan isn't just a form you file once and forget, but a living set of instructions, and more importantly, details matter.

Kristi reminded us that many people think they've planned around needing a will, and most haven't. And the folks you name today may not be the right ones a decade from now.

A few important things worth considering during your next document review:

- Beneficiary designations can override your will, so review them regularly.
- Washington's estate tax starts at $3 million, and smart giving can trim that, like leaving a taxable IRA to charity instead of your heirs.
- At 70½ or older, you can give up to $111,000 a year straight from your IRA, tax-free, through a qualified charitable distribution.
- Be sure to revisit your plan after any big life change.

It’s never too soon to review your estate planning documents, and consider leaving a lasting legacy through charitable giving or even joining BCF's Red Cedar Council.

Learn more at https://bainbridgecf.org/legacy-giving

Special thanks to the Bainbridge Island Senior & Community Center for hosting and thank you to Kristi for bringing her wealth of information to our guests.

08/19/2026

A beautiful delivery at the BCF office from our friends at Island Volunteer Caregivers

BCF staff were delighted to receive one of the gorgeous bouquets created through IVC’s Flowers From the Heart program.

For more than 20 years, community members have shared flowers from their gardens, which IVC volunteers lovingly arrange into bouquets and deliver to people throughout our community who may not otherwise be able to get out and enjoy the beauty of summer.

Such a simple and meaningful way to spread joy, kindness, and connection throughout Bainbridge Island. Thank you, IVC, for brightening our day and so many others!

08/18/2026

Last Friday, members of BCF’s Leadership and Silver Circles joined our friends at Bainbridge Prepares for a tour of the Disaster Hub at Hyla Middle School.

In light of the devastating events in Spokane, the visit was a timely reminder of the importance of preparing before an emergency happens. Thank you to Executive Director Stephen Richardson and the Bainbridge Prepares team for sharing their expertise and helping our community understand how we can be ready to support one another when it matters most. 💙

Interested in learning more about our Leadership Circle or Silver Circle? Contact [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.

08/13/2026

Join us Monday, August 17th bright and early at 8am for our very first Coffee & Community!

This month, we'll be hosting Bainbridge Island Senior & Community Center to talk about the upcoming renovation of their facility, as well as the new Bainbridge Island Poet Laureate, Erin Malone.

This informal gathering allows Islanders to get to know the nonprofit organizations serving their community in a more intimate setting here at the Bainbridge Community Foundation. The event is completely free and the only goal is to learn about what's happening on our Island.

To RSVP, simply email Matt Longmire at [email protected] so we can make sure we have enough coffee and bites for everyone.

08/12/2026

The great red cedars of Bainbridge Island remind us that the most enduring gifts are rarely immediate. They spend generations growing, weathering storms, and offering shade, shelter, and strength to those who come after them.

August is National Make-A-Will Month, a fitting reminder that estate planning is much the same. While a will is an important legal document that provides clarity and peace of mind for the people we love, it is also something more.

It is an opportunity to ask ourselves:
What do I hope will continue because I was here?

Learn more at bainbridgecf.org/legacy

08/06/2026

What an incredible evening!

A heartfelt thank you to Lance Garland for sharing his story with such honesty and insight, and to Dominique Cantwell for leading a thoughtful and engaging conversation.

This special event benefited Bainbridge Community Foundation’s IDEAS Fund, supporting initiatives that advance inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and social justice throughout our community.

We’re also deeply grateful to our generous sponsors for helping make this event possible:




Dominique Cantwell

Your support helped make this special evening possible, and we’re so grateful for your partnership and commitment to our community.

And thank you to everyone who joined us. Your participation and generosity help create a more welcoming, equitable, and connected community for all.

08/05/2026

Our hearts are with the communities across Eastern Washington as they continue to recover from the devastating wildfires. If you're looking for a way to help, consider supporting these trusted organizations making a difference:

• – Supporting impacted nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations through the Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund.
• – Providing emergency relief, shelter, and vital supplies.
• (H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund) – Supporting community members directly impacted by the fires.
• – Collecting new personal hygiene items for displaced families.
• – Coordinating volunteers to assist with temporary shelter and care for displaced animals.

Thank you for supporting the organizations helping communities recover and rebuild.

08/03/2026

Join us this Wednesday for an inspiring evening with author, firefighter, and adventurer Lance Garland.

Discover how the wilderness can teach us about resilience, healing, and finding our authentic selves.

Bainbridge Performing Arts
Tickets start at $30: https://givebutter.com/an-evening-with-lance-garland

07/28/2026

Meet Bainbridge Island author Lance Garland.

Next week, join us at Bainbridge Performing Arts for an evening of readings and conversation as Lance shares his acclaimed memoir, Out There: Dispatches from My Personal Wilderness.

From serving in the Navy during "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to working as a Seattle firefighter, Lance's story is one of resilience, identity, and finding healing in the wild landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

Tickets start at $30. Every ticket purchased supports Bainbridge Community Foundation's IDEAS Fund, advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and social justice in our community.

Wednesday, August 5 • 6:00 PM
Bainbridge Performing Arts
Reserve your seat today:

A Fundraiser in Support of BCF's IDEAS Fund

07/22/2026

Last Friday, our Leadership Circle and Silver Circle members enjoyed a special preview of the new Ericksen Community before its official opening.

Together with Housing Resources Bainbridge, we toured this incredible affordable housing development and saw firsthand the impact community philanthropy can make. The Ericksen Community will provide much-needed affordable homes in the heart of Winslow, close to services, transit, and everyday essentials.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the donors and partners helping make projects like this possible.

Interested in learning more about our Leadership Circle or Silver Circle? Contact [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.