BCF Volunteer Helps Ignite Passion to Award $849,180 to Local Nonprofits
For over 20 years, Adrienne Wolfe has called Bainbridge Island home. Nestled on her 10-acre property, which has since been sold, she created more than just a farm—it became a community touchstone. Each week, neighbors and travelers alike would stop by for fresh eggs, peek at playful baby hogs, and enjoy the simple magic of her trust-based farm stand. With an “open farm policy,” Adrienne welcomed all with open arms, believing that authentic experiences and shared joy could bring people together. And they did. Visitors returned week after week, and not just for the produce, but for the connection.
While raising two children and working full-time, Adrienne and her husband spent countless evenings dreaming about how they could help create a community of generosity and connection. “What can we offer that shows how special Bainbridge really is?” That question echoed through the years and guided each step of their journey.
As her youngest prepares to leave for college, Adrienne is channeling her passion for community into new forms of service. Since leaving the farm, she has been commissioner for the city, she has taught financial literacy to adults at Helpline House, and created the Bainbridge Bread Fairy to deliver bread and connect people when the pandemic was at its height.
This year, she also joined Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) as a volunteer for its 2025 Community Grants Cycle (CGC), bringing the same thoughtful energy and heart to the grantmaking process that once made her farm stand so beloved.
Though she had supported grant efforts in the past, Adrienne found something unique about BCF’s CGC. It wasn’t just about paperwork. It was personal. Volunteers had the opportunity to meet the nonprofits behind the applications, diving into real conversations with the people creating meaningful change.
“Being able to read the applications and then meet the people behind them made all the difference,” Adrienne said. “Not only did I connect with organizations that align with my interests, like the arts, but I learned how elements I love about this community actually come to life.”
Adrienne interviewed three nonprofits: Arts and Humanities Bainbridge, Bainbridge Performing Arts, and Rambler Arts—a newcomer to the grant cycle this year. These conversations brought fresh insight into island happenings, like what the Winslow Creative District sign actually means and how it came to be, or how the second annual Asian Festival is expanding to celebrate a wider range of Asian cultures.
“Participating in this program made my experience on Bainbridge so much richer,” Adrienne reflected. “I understand now, on a deeper level, how much dedication and behind-the-scenes effort it takes to make this Island so vibrant and welcoming.”
In 2025, BCF awarded over $849,180 through the CGC to a wide range of nonprofits, from human services to the arts. With more than 85 applicants, 61 volunteers collectively donated over 600 hours to reading proposals, conducting site visits, assessing financials, and discussing applications by sector.
When asked how she’s managed to stay so involved in the community while juggling work and family, Adrienne offered a perspective shaped by years of thoughtful engagement:
“The reality is, everyone has the time. It just depends on what you choose to prioritize. For me, giving back has always come back to me five-fold. Every new connection makes me more curious, and this community work has added depth and meaning to everyday life.”
The Community Grants Cycle (CGC) doesn’t just benefit the volunteers, it’s also a powerful opportunity for nonprofits, too. By participating, organizations gain more than just funding prospects. They connect with passionate, thoughtful volunteers—many of whom become lifelong supporters after being inspired by the mission firsthand. The process also helps nonprofits sharpen their grant-writing skills, tell their stories more effectively, and earn a meaningful vote of confidence from the local community.
Meg Wolf, Chairperson of Neurodiverse Connections, describes the CGC as “an opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself. It’s incredible that here on this small island in the Pacific Northwest, we have Bainbridge Community Foundation to help bring it all together. BCF invites people to create change and connects us with others who can help make that change a reality.”
If you’re interested in volunteering for BCF’s next Community Grants Cycle, contact Debbie Kuffel at debbie@bainbridgecf.org. As Adrienne has shown, being part of something bigger can turn everyday moments into something extraordinary.
Click here for the list of CGC grantees
