Whidbey Giving Circle is hoping to expand its efforts to support young members of the island’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning community, at a time of increasing torment nationally.

The group, formed about three years ago and currently with about 60 members, provides funds and scholarships to support programs set up for young people struggling with sexuality or gender identity, said Larry Lowary of Clinton, co-founder of the nonprofit group.

“In a small community, it’s exceptionally difficult for an ‘out’ young person,” he said. “Our number one goal is to encourage the development of programs to support kids in the community.”

Lowary said that while Giving Circle has not been directly part of setting up programs, it has provided financial assistance when possible. In the past three years, the group has distributed scholarships and financial support to organizations, leaders and students totaling more then $60,000, he said.

Lowary said his organization has contributed to the formation of active gay-straight support groups in the island’s public high schools.

“We’re trying to find programs on the island that support these kids, because there haven’t been any,” he said.

There have been several recent reports in the national media about the harassment and bullying of young people, sometimes leading to suicide. The reports have led to counter efforts to reassure young people, such as the recent “It Will Get Better” online project founded by the Stranger newspaper editor and gay activist Dan Savage of Seattle.

Lowary said it’s difficult to determine how many young people are directly affected by the issue in local schools.

“It’s exceptionally hard to tell,” he said. “The reality is, we don’t really know.”

“We’ve tried to keep a low profile,” Lowary added, “not because we’re embarrassed, but because there’s bound to be chance of a backlash.”

As part its effort to broaden its scope, Giving Circle will sponsor a free workshop this month titled “Fundraising 101.”

“Every nonprofit has to be creative in generating resources,” Lowary said. “This session will cover the basics of philanthropy in our culture, donor cultivation, grant-seeking and small events.”

The workshop, open to representatives of all local nonprofit groups and anyone else interested, will be from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, in the Fireside Room at Langley United Methodist Church, Third Street and Anthes Ave.

The workshop will be led by Jody Waits, director of community giving with the Pride Foundation, a Seattle-based organization founded in 1985 to assist Northwest organizations, leaders and students working for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual and questioning equality.

She also was a recent president of the Northwest Development Officers Association.

Lowary said Giving Circle members also will meet later in the evening to plan grant strategy for 2011. The meet-and-greet session in the church’s Fellowship Hall will be at 7 p.m., and everyone is invited, he said.

Whidbey Giving Circle is affiliated with the Pride Foundation, Lowary said, and membership is open to everyone who makes a donation, large or small.

“We’re trying to make it possible for these young people to know there are resources for them, and that they can have a good life,” he said.

For more information about Whidbey Giving Circle, call 579-2172.