FAQ'S
Frequently Asked Questions
We are a registered non-profit organization 501c3 that was founded in 2024 to help seniors on San Juan Island. Our goal is to help support seniors and vulnerable adults in our own community. The islands' number one need is healthcare for the under-served, and seniors and many adults with limited options and resources. We learn more about their needs every day in our respective jobs on San Juan Island, and decided to move to make a change. Our goals are lofty and we are undaunted by their scope. We need your help.
The Foundation was founded by a group of islanders who lead healthcare organizations within the community, including emergency medical services, social services, facility based elder care, and home-based elder care. As healthcare leaders the founders wanted to create a mechanism to help deepen the safety net for seniors and reaffirm the lives of seniors. Board members are people “in the fray,” and know where the problems are. Your money will go to help real people with real problems. There are no salaried staff and all members of the board and volunteers are uncompensated.
There are really three tracks:
When people have a healthcare crisis, they have diminished capacity and need help in their home. This can be very expensive. It costs $55+ per hour for home care assistance. Facility based care costs over $6,000 per month. The foundation hopes to close this gap for people who are in a crisis but can only pay part of this cost.
Second, the foundation wants to help the elderly achieve something that excites them, adding to the dignity of life and joy in their lives. Many people have a dream or hope – perhaps to see one loved before they die, or perhaps just to hold a puppy – these dreams are often very achievable with a little help and funding.
Third, the foundation eventually hopes to also contribute to housing solutions for
healthcare workers within our community.
Because we consider every request on a case-by-case basis, the board makes decisions based on urgency and resources. However, here is a list of needs that continue to arise and that we hope to be able to address in our early stages:
Housekeeping: Some islanders are incapacitated enough that their housing has become hazardous and cleanliness is the most urgent need to keep them safe.
Food: Some clients do not have the wherewithal to feed themselves. We would certainly prioritize this need.
Bedding: Beds that have become compromised are significant health-hazards.
Interim Care: One of the most significant challenges faced by aging islanders is their need for care in the interim, before long-term placement can be secured. We hope to help with the planning and implement interim care so that islanders are safe and cared for.
Not right now. Down the road we hope to do so, and this is demonstrated by our name, “San Juan Islands.” However, it’s worth mentioning that when people in this county need services, they often come to San Juan Island. Bolstering services here ultimately helps everyone.
Most “wishes” are relatively inexpensive, with the average cost expected to be $1,000 - $3,000. We have a modest goal of being able to support 5-8 wishes in the next twelve months, at an estimated cost of $10,000 - $16,000.
Remaining funds in 2025 will be used to help people who need but cannot afford facility or home care services. Every $5,000 in funds raised should cover around 100 hours of care, or one month of facility care for one person.
Additionally, the nonprofit has minor overhead such as website administration and event expenses, but the nonprofit has no personnel costs as all board members are volunteers.
We have a line of deposit set up with the Community Foundation. They will also take donations on our behalf and provide accounting support. They help many small, independent non-profits, like ours, in our community.
Additionally, we’ve partnered with San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1, which provides assistance of various kinds to help further our mission. Many foundation board members are associated with the public hospital district. All share a desire to help and support seniors in our community. However, the San Juan Islands Healthcare Foundation is an independent nonprofit and is not a part of either of these organizations.
Currently, the Board of Directors decides how to allocate/spend funds on a case-by-case basis.
By working with other island nonprofits, community organizations, and public health leaders, we aim to create lasting, community-oriented health improvements. We work alongside and in support of local agencies to increase positive community outcomes.
You will need to be referred by a service provider or community agency. Any service provider in the community may make a referral. You cannot directly apply.