Happy Mercerversary, Mercer Island Community Fund! While 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of MICF, we want the entire community to start celebrating all of the things that MICF has accomplished through the years.

Despite MICF not having a catchy advertising slogan and not being as well publicized as it could be, there is no doubt that it has had a positive impact on enriching the quality of life for everyone in this community.

In 1985, a group of individuals wanted to express their gratitude for all the wonderful things our city had to offer. They established a vehicle for Islanders to support the entire community. They had an auction, and with the careful stewardship of those funds and the community’s generous donations and support, everyone on this Island has been affected by the work of MICF even though you may not have even known it. Look all around you, to our parks, music programs and our fabulous farmers market, all funded in part or in whole by MICF. Over the past 25 years, MICF has contributed to over 100 local organizations, including:

Mercer Island Farmers Market

Mercer Island Senior Foundation

Mercer Island Open Space Conservancy Trust

Mercer Island Arts Council

Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club

Mercer Island Fire Department CPR program

Mercer Island Emergency Management Committee

Mercer Island Special Olympics

Mercer Island Marching Band

Safe Rides

Youth and Family Services

Wooden O Theatre Productions

During these challenging economic times, donors are perhaps more interested in making sure that their charitable gifts are used in a way that impacts the most people. Which organization reaches out and touches everyone? MICF is like a giant reversed funnel. We start with you, the power of one, and we open up opportunities to the entire community. Because we are an all-volunteer organization and our administrative costs are minimal (mostly printing and postage), almost all of your donation will be used to fund and promote programs and services that benefit us all.

This coming year, as part of MICF’s diamond anniversary celebration, MICF plans to award a Vision Grant. Perhaps you have an idea that can make our community an even better place to live? Perhaps your idea needs some funding to become a reality? This is a great time to think about what you value in our community and what you can do to make a difference. We will share more about the Vision Grant in the coming months.

By the time this article is published, MICF’s past donors will have received a letter asking for support this year. We encourage all of our past donors to help MICF continue with its grants to organizations that serve this community. If you do not get a letter, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to MICF, or incorporate the MICF into your estate planning by sending a check to the following address (within the near future, it will be possible to make donations to MICF online at the MICF Web site):

Mercer Island Community Fund

P.O. Box 751

Mercer Island, Wash., 98040

Felicia Brooks is the vice president of the Mercer Island Community Fund. MICF is a public charity that is tax-exempt as a 501(c)(3) organization.