Planting Roots on Bainbridge Island
When Sarah and Cameron (Cam) Turtle moved to Bainbridge Island in 2023, they didn’t just unpack boxes. They started planting roots. From day one, the couple was on the lookout for ways to connect, give back, and be part of something bigger. Guided by their belief in the saying that you should always “leave it better than you found it,” the Turtles have made it their mission to spend their time and energy in ways that create lasting, meaningful change.
For Sarah, that philosophy has shaped a career grounded in compassion. With a background in nonprofits and mental health, she has devoted her work to supporting the well-being of others. After years of working across age groups, she found her calling in focusing on the mental health of teens and young adults, as she believed this was a time of life where a little support can make a big difference. Her perspective? That survival and altruism go hand in hand, and helping others is deeply human.
Cameron brings a different, yet complementary, set of skills to the table. With a career in the private sector, he’s led companies focused on developing new medicines for serious diseases including heart failure and gastrointestinal disease. His work may stretch across continents, but his commitment to local change is equally strong. “Both Sarah and I grew up in smaller communities and benefited from support systems beyond our family and friends. We view paying forward these opportunities as a responsibility,” said Cameron.
Together, the Turtles believe that everyone deserves access to life’s essentials such as food, shelter, and dignity. That belief has driven them to support organizations like Helpline House and other vital human services nonprofits on the Island.
So when they discovered Bainbridge Community Foundation, it felt like the perfect fit. “BCF made supporting local nonprofits easy,” Sarah shared. “It helped us stay connected to what’s really happening here in the community.” She pointed to BCF’s Community Grants Cycle and Community Report as key tools that made their giving more impactful and informed.
By joining BCF’s Leadership Circle—a giving level that starts at just $1,000 annually or under $85 a month— the Turtles gained a deeper connection to local philanthropy. They were welcomed into a network of passionate donors, invited to vibrant events, and given a front-row seat to the change they were helping create.
Sarah and Cam’s story is a reminder that it doesn’t take decades to make a difference in a new place. With open hearts and intentional giving, anyone can help strengthen the community around them.
Want to be part of this movement? Join the Leadership Circle today and help leave Bainbridge better than you found it.
