Meet our 2019 Outstanding Philanthropists!

September 19, 2019

Bainbridge Community Foundation recently honored its 2019 Outstanding Philanthropists at Inspiring People, BCF’s annual philanthropy celebration, Sept. 13 at IslandWood. This year’s honorees are Glenn and Nancy Haber, Outstanding Bainbridge Philanthropists; Homestreet Bank, Outstanding Philanthropic Company; and Island School student Margaret Coulter as Outstanding Young Philanthropist. Glenn and Nancy Haber | VIDEO Glenn and Nancy Haber don’t really consider themselves philanthropists, as much as they consider themselves strategists for the community good. Thirty-two years ago, they moved to Bainbridge Island and soon got involved in the community through their schools, either as a coach or classroom helper. In fairly short order, they built a community of friends and creative people who shared their love of Bainbridge’s natural surroundings. The creation of the Fletcher Bay Foundation was a way for the Habers to engage with their kids to help support the respective communities. For many years, the Fletcher Bay Foundation was a regular supporter of as many as 50-70 Island organizations. Their decision five years ago to sunset the Foundation gave them the opportunity to focus on some key projects that will have a lasting impact on Bainbridge Island. These include the creation of the Moritani Preserve, approximately 8.5 acres of woodlands and fields turned into a park in the center of Winslow, the Community Programs Endowment at IslandWood, and a significant challenge grant to the Bainbridge Island Land Trust’s Stand for the Land Campaign. Homestreet Bank | VIDEO Homestreet Bank first came to Bainbridge Island in 2014, when it purchased AmericanWest Bank's island branch (formerly home to Viking Bank). From that point forward, the Bank put forward an aggressive plan of community engagement. A sponsor of many Island organizations, including the Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, the bank and its leadership also takes on the philosophy of getting deeply engaged in the work of the organizations it supports. This includes Housing Resources Bainbridge, where the bank is not only a regular gala sponsor, but where Branch Manager Linda Lincoln sits on the Board of Directors. Homestreet Bank is also one of the few banks that lends to income-qualified buyers of Community Land Trust properties in partnership with Housing Resources Bainbridge. Margaret Coulter, Student, The Island School | VIDEO Realizing the uniqueness of the Island’s green landscape and curious about the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, Margaret and her mother met Land Trust staff in August to learn more about the organization’s Stand for the Land Campaign and discuss an idea she had for a fundraiser at her school, The Island School. After meeting with the head of school and her teacher, Margaret organized a read-a-thon and math-a-thon for the second- through fifth-graders at school. The students began by collecting pledges from family and friends, and in February, they got to work reading chapters and solving math problems to cash in on those pledges. When complete, Margaret proudly presented a hand-drawn check for $3,502, which will be used to save even more forests, streams, shorelines, and wetlands. To see information about our past Philanthropy Award Honorees, CLICK HERE.

Tags: Donors, Margaret Coulter, Nancy Haber, Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation, Community Foundation, Bainbridge Island Land Trust, Philanthropy, Homestreet Bank, Glenn Haber, IslandWood, BCF, The Island School, Linda Lincoln, Bainbridge Community Foundation, Housing Resources Bainbridge