Our mission is to help Idahoans strengthen their communities through philanthropy. We do that by creating locally focused, personalized charitable giving plans for people who want to take care of Idaho and the issues and organizations most important to them. All of our staff and Board of Directors live throughout Idaho. No matter where you live, we can help you make the Idaho-focused impact you desire with your charitable giving.
ICF Board
Board directors represent each of Idaho’s regions and are chosen based on their integrity, community knowledge, philanthropy and professional background.
The Idaho Community Foundation Board of Directors represents all regions of Idaho. Board directors are chosen based on their integrity, community knowledge, philanthropy and professional background.
Doug Oppenheimer, Chair
Heidi Rogers, Secretary
Steve Burns, President & CEO
Tim Hamilton, Treasurer
Walt Sinclair, Vice Chair
Candi Allphin
Boise Immediate Past Chair
Mary Jo Ambrosiani
Sandpoint
Frances Ellsworth
Boise
Tim Hamilton
Ketchum Treasurer
George Juetten
Boise
Tom Killingsworth
Boise
Lori McCann
Lewiston
Erin Nuxoll
Boise
Doug Oppenheimer
Boise Chair
Ruth Pierce
Twin Falls
Danielle Quade
Coeur d'Alene
Debra Riedel
Boise
Heidi Rogers
Coeur d'Alene Secretary
Walt Sinclair
Boise Vice Chair
Mary Vagner
Pocatello
Stephen Weeg
Pocatello
Board Committees
Community Engagement Committee Stephen Weeg, Chair
Development and Visibility Committee
Candi Allphin, Chair
Financial Affairs Committee
George Juetten, Chair
Governance Committee
Erin Nuxoll, Chair
Investment Subcommittee Tom Killingsworth, Chair
Our Staff
Our staff all live in Idaho and can provide local expertise about issues and needs. We love Idaho just as much as you do.
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Steve Burns
President & CEO
Steve Burns joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2022. He brings his extensive experience leading large community organizations, including Zoo Boise and its foundation arm, Friends of Zoo Boise, for nearly 20 years. During his time at Zoo Boise, Burns grew it from a small local organization to a leader and innovator in animal conservation.
He has long been familiar with the work of the Idaho Community Foundation and looks forward to working with the incredible team of board, staff and all the supporters who have made the community foundation possible. Steve holds advanced degrees in Business Administration and Conservation Biology & Sustainable Development. He has numerous awards including the Leadership Boise Alumni Social Responsibility Award, Boise 40 under 40, the AZA Outstanding Service Award and others.
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Judy Ramos, MSAT, CPA
Vice President, Finance and Operations
Judy joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2016. She is responsible for the foundation’s operations including financial, information technology and human resources. She oversees the management and financial reporting and investment of the foundation’s assets.
Before joining ICF, Judy was the controller for a large statewide nonprofit and prior to that was an auditor with a national public accounting firm. She has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in accountancy, both from Boise State University. She is a certified public accountant.
Judy has been recognized as an honoree by the Idaho Business Review’s Accomplished Under 40. Some of her volunteer roles with nonprofits have included the Treasure Valley Young Marines and the Girl Scouts. Judy enjoys camping, kayaking and traveling to historical sites with her family.
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Rich Ballou
Philanthropic Advisor, East
Rich joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2021. As the Philanthropic Advisor serving east Idaho, Rich works with individuals, families, companies and organizations to help them accomplish their philanthropic goals.
Rich has a background in both development and journalism. He served as a director of development at Idaho State University and was a major gifts donor liaison for LDS Philanthropies/BYU-Idaho before that.
After graduating from Ricks Junior College (now BYU-Idaho) and Utah State University with degrees in journalism, Rich joined Pioneer Newspapers and rose from advertising representative at the Logan Herald Journal to publisher of the Rexburg Standard Journal.
Rich enjoys mountain biking, hiking, skiing and running. He plays the French horn in various community groups and loves classic rock.
He and his wife Kristin live in Rexburg, where she is a math professor at BYU-Idaho.
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Lisa Bearg, 21/64 Certified Advisor
Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Lisa joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2014. As a Senior Philanthropic Advisor, she works alongside donors and nonprofits to make connections between people, resources and ideas that make Idaho's communities stronger. Lisa is Idaho’s first 21/64 Certified Advisor, a designation that means she has training and experience working with multigenerational families to help them hone their philanthropic giving.
Lisa oversees the Foundation's grantmaking programs, serves as a philanthropic resource to help donors and grants reviewers make informed decisions, and works to advocate for the power of strategic and collective giving.
Before coming to ICF, she was the Project Coordinator for the Energy Policy Institute, where she conducted policy research, identified and secured grant funding and managed special projects. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s of public administration, both from Boise State University.
She is a member of the Boise Centennial Rotary Club, serves on the United Way’s Vision Council, and is a member of the Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation.
Lisa enjoys exploring Idaho’s outdoors with her family, attending community events, meeting new people, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.
Dani joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2023 as a Staff Accountant. Dani will work closely with our accounting team to complete the financial activities and daily operational tasks of the foundation, including processing grants. Dani has a master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Boise State University.
Prior to joining ICF, Dani worked for POWER Engineers and at the Idaho Youth Ranch. In her free time, she enjoys reading, quilting and sewing, and spending time with her family. Dani was once given an award for being the smallest person in her elementary class!
Dani says she enjoys serving the community and seeing the impact ICF makes locally and statewide.
“I’m excited about seeing the impact Idaho Community Foundation makes locally and statewide,” she said.
Peter Faucher joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2022. As the Philanthropic Advisor serving north and north central Idaho, Peter works with individuals, families, companies and organizations to help them accomplish their philanthropic goals.
Raised in Coeur d’Alene, Peter worked at his family’s tractor business while in high school. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University and studied classical guitar at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton School of Music.
With over a decade of fundraising experience, Peter was with the NPR and PBS affiliate in Richmond, VA, prior to joining ICF, where he worked with contributors and facilitated their on-air recognition as an account executive. Before joining the nonprofit world, he worked in the Senate of Virginia. He was also a production assistant at Idaho Public Television while finishing his undergraduate degree.
You can sometimes find him hiking on one of the many local trails or on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Amanda joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2022. As a Staff Accountant, she will work closely with others on her team to complete the financial activities and daily operational tasks of the foundation, including processing gifts and other general accounting duties. Her degree in accounting is from Colorado Technical University.
Amanda and her husband Mike have lived throughout the United States as part of his active-duty military service. They moved to Idaho in 2020 and settled in Middleton with their daughters Amaya and Addyson and son Alex.
Her hobbies are hiking, kayaking, traveling and reading. She also loves all genres and eras of music, matching her listening to her task – cleaning house is classic rock, traveling with her family is 70s, 80s and 90s pop, and when she’s feeling introspective, it’s country.
Amanda previously worked as an accounting technician for Wake County Smart Start in North Carolina. She’s enjoying working for a nonprofit again and seeing the difference that ICF makes in communities.
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Jenessa Hansen-Evans
Marketing and Events Associate
Jenessa joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2023. As the Marketing and Events Associate, she organizes ICF events throughout the state and helps tell ICF’s story through a variety of channels. Jenessa has nearly 10 years of event management experience and is a Certified International Festival & Events Executive. She enjoys building and fostering community connections through events. Before coming to ICF, Jenessa worked for the city of Eagle, the city of Boise, and Lovevery.
Jenessa enjoys various activities, and she likes to take the time to unwind with her family and friends. She and her husband, Andrew are parents to August, who is always ready to laugh and dig in the dirt for worms. Jenessa and Andrew enjoy playing with their dog, Gertie, gardening, and trying out new recipes (their current favorite is a white miso tomato vinaigrette).
Clark joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2023. As the Philanthropic Advisor for Southwest Idaho and South Central Idaho, he will help Idahoans make their communities even better through philanthropy by helping them create charitable giving funds to support their favorite causes and organizations.
Clark has a bachelor's degree from Purdue University and an MBA from Eastern Illinois University. He previously worked for the University of Idaho as the director of estate, trust and gift planning.
He and his wife live in Star. They have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. Clark enjoys athletics of any kind and has played and coached football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey and soccer.
Clark traced his ancestry and discovered he is descended from Norwegian Vikings on his mother’s side and a Mayflower passenger on his father’s side. He also enjoys hiking and camping in Idaho’s backcountry.
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Kris Kamann, CAP®
Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Kris joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2016. In addition to overseeing ICF’s three regional development officers, Kris works with individuals, families and organizations to help them accomplish their philanthropic goals. This often includes meeting with professional advisors (attorneys, accountants, financial advisors) to discuss how ICF can help their clients satisfy their charitable intentions through estate gifts or other planned/major gifts. Kris obtained his Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation in April, 2023, from The American College of Financial Services.
Prior to joining the Idaho Community Foundation, Kris served as a Director of Development at Boise State University in both academics and athletics. He has over 20 years of experience in higher education.
Kris has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in education from Ashland University in Ohio. He recently served as President of the Southwest Idaho Council of Charitable Gift Planners and is a member of the Treasure Valley Estate Planning Council, the Magic Valley Estate Planning Council and AdNet.
Kris enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Idaho great outdoors, including fishing, skiing, hiking and biking.
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Kristen Liccini
Executive and Operations Coordinator
Kristen joined ICF in 2023 as Executive and Operations Coordinator. She serves as support for executive leadership, the Board of Directors, Committees, and Regional Councils.
Kristen has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Minnesota. She previously served as Vice President Administrative Assistant for Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Yakima, Wash. She is excited to be part of the team at ICF and looks forward to being involved in making an impact for the wonderful communities of Idaho.
Kristen and her husband, Anthony, whom she met in a coffee shop, have two cats, Louis and Indie. Her hobbies include reading, hiking and crocheting.
Zach joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2011 and serves as the foundation’s I.T. department. He provides internal technical support to all of ICF’s staff, including discovering and fixing hardware issues and addressing software issues.
He also works with ICF constituents to establish online accounts through the website and works through any issues that may arise with the array of online applications and forms that hosted on the website.
Zach attended Spokane Falls Community College and Boise State University.
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Whitney Morgan
Donor Experience Coordinator
Whitney joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2024, serving in a new-to-ICF position of Donor Experience Coordinator. In her role, Whitney oversees the services and stewardship provided by ICF to donors, fundholders, Legacy Society members and volunteers.
With almost 10 years of experience in nonprofits, Whitney is excited to join the team and learn more about the collaborative efforts of Idahoans to make our communities stronger. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Northern Iowa. Before coming to ICF, she worked at CATCH and The Idaho Foodbank.
She is a member of the Boise Centennial Rotary Club and serves on the Board of Directors for the Idaho Botanical Garden. Whitney enjoys crafting, golfing, and spending time with her husband Andrew and daughter Aurora.
“I'm excited to be part of an organization with deep roots in bringing people together to have a collective, positive impact on our state,” Whitney said. “I truly believe we are stronger together.”
Megan joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2017. She is an accounting ninja, who conquers all of ICF’s daily accounting activities including general ledger operations, monthly reconciliations, accounts payable and grants payable transactions, payroll, bank account management and 1099 maintenance and reporting.
She also oversees the recording of incoming donations, asset management and depreciation and a variety of reporting tasks. She provides support as needed in account reconciliation, quarter and year end close, audit preparation, financial analysis, and special projects.
Prior to joining ICF, Megan was a Staff Accountant with the Idaho Youth Ranch, and previously worked for JR Simplot Company and Jacksons Food Stores. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s in accountancy, both from the University of Phoenix. She is a certified public accountant.
Megan is a volunteer for and supporter of the American Cancer Society, United Way of the Treasure Valley and Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County. She enjoys quilting, sewing, gardening and reading.
Savannah joined Idaho Community Foundation in 2023. As the Data Services Coordinator, Savannah contributes to the maintenance and management of the community foundation’s data and systems. She also supports ongoing stewardship and community impact activities and projects.
Savannah has a master of public administration from Boise State University, focusing on public policy and nonprofit management. She also completed her undergraduate degree at Boise State University, with a bachelor of political science.
Savannah brings a plethora of community experience to ICF, from providing direct services to those experiencing mental health challenges to lobbying state government for legislative changes. This experience allows her to support the Idaho Community Foundation’s technological and data endeavors through a lens of intersectionality and a commitment to research.
Savannah takes a lot of pride in her Boise community, as well as in being an Idahoan. She takes advantage of living in Idaho by enjoying events in the Treasure Valley, visiting hot springs, kayaking, and participating in other outdoor adventures with her partner and pups!
Kayla Wilcox joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2024. She assists ICF’s Philanthropic Advisors with data management. She is a graduate of Boise State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in sustainability. She also has a certificate in nonprofit management. Before coming to ICF, she worked as the membership coordinator for Zoo Boise.
As a native Idahoan, Kayla loves to do anything outdoors, including backpacking in the Sawtooth Mountains, hiking the Boise foothills, whitewater rafting, paddleboarding and more. Her reading list spans everything from books about astrophysics to popular romance novels. She and her husband have three gray cats and a border collie.
“I’ve always been passionate about building strong, sustainable communities,” Kayla said. “ICF connects Idahoans to the issues they care most about and provides a way for them to build places where we all love living.”
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Sarah Wissenbach
Philanthropic Services Administrator
Sarah joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2016. As the Philanthropic Services Assistant, she engages with donors, community members, nonprofits and key partners across the state to facilitate grantmaking. Sarah serves as liaison for the women's giving circles and community affiliates and also manages the scholarship program.
Before coming to ICF, Sarah worked with MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter in McCall. She enjoys working with nonprofit organizations and donors to make a positive impact across the state of Idaho.
Sarah has undergraduate degrees in sociology and gender studies from Pacific Lutheran University. She enjoys hiking to mountain lakes, downhill skiing, camping, yoga, and travelling to new places.
Community Volunteers
We have opportunities for Idahoans to provide their expertise on our Board Committees or share their local knowledge as a member of one of our Regional Councils.
Board Committee Volunteers
Our Board Directors invite community members with professional expertise to serve on some Board Committees.
Our Regional Councils keep us deeply rooted in all Idaho communities. We rely on them to advise our Forever Idaho Regional Grant program, ensuring that nearly $1 million in Forever Idaho grants meet the greatest needs in the state. They also help us understand needs throughout their area and the community organizations working to address those needs.
Julia Oxarango-Ingram, representing Lincoln County
Ben Reed, Jerome County
Trish Searle, Cassia County
Tricia Swartling, Blaine County
Linda Watkins, Twin Falls County
Janet Williamson, Gooding County
Frances Nagashima, Chair, Ada County
Trudy Anderson, Ada County
Sally Bouvia, Washington County
Sandy Fery, Ada County
Lindsey Harris, Valley County
Trudy Jackson, Boise County
Sue Paul, Ada County
David Shaw, Gem County
LeAnn Simmons, Ada County
John Steiner, Owyhee County
Lauren Tassos, Ada County
Alex Zamora, Canyon County
We believe that local knowledge and experience are the cornerstone of effective philanthropy. Regional Councils are a robust and inclusive program that builds and strengthens our relationships local leaders, nonprofits and community members who share our mission to enrich the quality of life throughout Idaho. We have a council in four regions of the state – North, East, South Central and Southwest.
Role of the Regional Council:
Serve as ambassadors for the Idaho Community Foundation.
Share knowledge about local needs, effective programs and provide input on ICF's strategic direction.
Recommend grants from Forever Idaho and other regional grant programs.
John Fery, founder of the Idaho Community Foundation
The Idaho Community Foundation was established in 1988 when the Whittenberger Foundation, a private foundation based in Caldwell, approached Boise Cascade Chairman and CEO John Fery with an idea to build philanthropy in Idaho. They agreed that the state might benefit from a community foundation because there were few foundations whose giving benefited Idaho.
Together, they developed a vision for a broader, deeper source of charitable funding to enrich the quality of life throughout Idaho and set about garnering support from businesses, individuals and communities across the state.
It was known from the beginning that it would be challenging to establish a statewide organization in a state with the cultural and geographic differences of Idaho. To overcome the idea that this was a Boise-only foundation, the founders required statewide representation on the board and ensured that distributions from the unrestricted funds, now called Forever Idaho Funds, would benefit the entire state.
In 1991, the Idaho Community Foundation made its first-ever grant awards – 31 grants totaling $164,000. Since then, more than $175 million has been granted in Idaho communities in all 44 counties.
The Idaho Community Foundation Now
The Idaho Community Foundation’s Boise office.
Today, we look forward to the future of the Idaho Community Foundation as we help Idahoans strengthen their communities through philanthropy. Our vision is of an Idaho where everyone gives to their community to help it thrive.
On behalf of grateful communities across the state, the Idaho Community Foundation extends its appreciation to the Founding Donors, who made a big idea become a reality.
Founding Donors: Businesses, Corporations and Foundations
Special thanks to:
Albertson’s, Inc.
Boise Cascade Corporation
Northwest Area Foundation
The Whittenberger Foundation
In addition to:
Amalgamated Sugar
Arthur Andersen LLP
Basic American, Inc.
Boise Family YMCA (now Treasure Valley YMCA)
Boise Philharmonic Association, Inc.
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Coeur d’Alene Mines
Daugherty Foundation
Deloitte & Touche
First Interstate Bank
First Security Bank of Idaho, N.A.
FMC Foundation
Gannett Foundation/Idaho Statesman
Global Travel
Green Giant/Pillsbury
Hecla Mining, Inc.
Hewlett-Packard Company
Idaho Power Company
Intermountain Gas Industries Foundation
Key Bank of Idaho
KTVB Channel 7
Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation
Morrison Knudsen Company Foundation
Park Price Motor Company
Potlatch Corporation
Steele-Reese Foundation
The Terteling Company, Inc.
U S WEST Communications
U.S. Bank
Union Pacific Foundation
Washington Trust Bank
Wells Fargo Bank
West One Bancorp
Founding Donors: Individuals, Couples and Families