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News and Features
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February 2022
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Dear ICF Supporters:
Much of the fabric of Idaho’s society is stitched together with shoestrings. In communities across the state, many of the events and services that bring people together and enable us to help each other are provided by nonprofits.
Community members bringing meals to those in need — provided by a nonprofit. Families receiving safe shelter and children starting school with the clothing and supplies they need – provided by a nonprofit. Neighbors raking the leaves at an elderly person’s home and kids participating in youth programs — provided by nonprofits. Parades, cultural events, museums, dances and gatherings — all provided by nonprofits.
In addition to providing direct services, nonprofits also generate significant economic contributions in Idaho, as laid out in a 2020 report from the Idaho Nonprofit Center. There are more than 7,600 nonprofit organizations in Idaho. They have combined revenues of $7.2 billion. But once you subtract out the nonprofit hospitals and a few other very large nonprofits, the average nonprofit organization survives on an operating budget of $150,000, which can only be described as shoestring.
In addition to providing much-needed services, nonprofits are amazingly resourceful. But shoestrings can only be stretched so far before they break.
Looking back on the last few years, I can think of dozens of nonprofits that created experiences I enjoyed that made living in Idaho special. Every donation to nonprofits counts. No matter the size of the gift you can make, your favorite nonprofit will maximize its impact more than you can imagine.
The Idaho Community Foundation is here to support the work of these crucial organizations. Our Forever Idaho Funds pool hundreds of donations every year and are granted to nonprofits throughout the state, making a far greater impact than if individuals gave alone. We offer more than a dozen grant cycles to help nonprofits meet their missions.
We offer Organizational Funds as a way for nonprofits to establish endowments or invest money for future projects and initiatives. We offer Designated Funds as a way for you to support your favorite nonprofit forever. In fact, we have a story about a fund created for Jannus in this e-bulletin.
If you want to help your favorite nonprofit move away from shoestrings and towards permanent funding sources, we can help you make that possible. Please contact us to learn more.
Best wishes,
Steve Burns
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Every fund has a story: Jannus |
For nearly three years, Karan Tucker and Stephanie Bender-Kitz have served as co-Executive Directors at Jannus, a shared position that was created to combine and maximize their more than 30 years at the organization.
Now, as they prepare to retire in the spring, an ICF charitable giving fund has been created in their honor. The fund will support Jannus employees, board members and volunteers who wish to participate in professional development.
“It can be difficult for nonprofits to find resources to support professional and leadership development,” Tucker said. “This is a critical gift that will support the growth, retention and impact of Jannus’ leaders for years to come.”
Jannus is a health and human services organization that serves more than 55,000 Idahoans every year through diverse programs, including the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline, Refugee Childcare Business Development and Idaho Voices for Children.
Prior to leading Jannus together, Karan served as the organization’s Executive Director and Stephanie as Program Director. They said the innovative shared leadership model allowed them to draw on their complementary strengths and experiences, and brought balance to their careers and personal lives.
The donor who created the fund, who wishes to remain anonymous, did so to honor Karan and Stephanie’s leadership and commitment to learning and growth.
“We are humbled and honored by the donor’s generosity and thrilled about the impact it will have for current and future leaders at Jannus,” Bender-Kitz said.
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Idaho Community Foundation expands Project Neighborly |
The Idaho Community Foundation has launched Year 2 of its highly successful Project Neighborly grant program, which includes communities in north Idaho and east Idaho in addition to Ada and Canyon counties.
The program funds hyperlocal projects such as community gardens, neighborhood clean-ups and acts of kindness that encourage creation of welcoming communities that include new people who have different viewpoints or life experiences.
Project Neighborly is led by the Idaho Community Foundation with support from funding partners Battelle Energy Alliance, manager and operator of Idaho National Laboratory; Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Idaho Central Credit Union and Innovia Foundation. If you’d like to support Project Neighborly in your region you can donate here.
Grants will be $250 to $5,000. Deadline to apply is April 8. Eligible communities for this year’s funding are:
East Idaho – Bannock, Bingham, Bonneville and Butte counties and the Fort Hall Reservation
North Idaho – Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties
Treasure Valley – Ada and Canyon counties
Eligible recipients include: 501(c)(3) organizations, Native American tribal agencies, civic groups (Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.), religious institutions, public institutions (including public schools and local governments) and others. Grants will be announced by May 9. Click for more details.
Project Neighborly was piloted in Ada and Canyon counties in 2021. Seven projects were funded, including hosting Global Gardens farmers at Market on the Mountain at Bogus Basin, creating a community story walk along the Kuna Greenbelt and sponsoring Story, Story Night.
“Our vision for Project Neighborly is to strengthen communities from within. The projects that were selected last year brought people together in ways that were both meaningful and fun, and we’re eager to see what ideas our neighbors come up with this year,” said Lisa Bearg, ICF Senior Philanthropic Advisor and leader of the Project Neighborly-Idaho program.
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| We are growing! |
ICF's Rich Ballou elected to Pocatello Estate Planning Council |
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We are excited to announce that our staff is continuing to grow. We have two positions open in north Idaho – Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone counties.
The Philanthropic Advisor, Asset Development will provide active leadership and participation in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and fund holders for ICF and our programs/initiatives. See full job description| Apply for this job.
The Philanthropic Advisor, Community Impact assists donors in meeting their charitable goals. Duties include building and maintaining relationships with donors and community organizations, managing donor engagement and stewardship, and grantmaking in regional and donor advised fund cycles. See full job description | Apply for this job.
We receive some of our best referrals from people who know us best, so if you know someone in north Idaho who might be a great fit for the Idaho Community Foundation, please share this with them!
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Rich Ballou, ICF’s Philanthropic Advisor serving east Idaho, has been elected treasurer of the Pocatello Estate Planning Council. The council was reestablished in January after being inactive for more than two years.
All area attorneys, certified public accountants, financial planners, insurance professionals, trust officers, bank officers and philanthropic professionals are invited to join the council, which meets the second Wednesday of the month at noon at Idaho State University.
Council membership dues are $150 annually and include monthly educational meetings, designed to satisfy professional certification requirements. The council will be a member of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils.
In addition to Ballou, new board members include:
- Tim Sopalski, President
- David Hunter, Past President
- Sam Gardner, Vice President
- Ryan Gerulf, Secretary
For more information, please contact Pocatelloepc@gmail.com.
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| Virtual Forever Idaho Office Hours |
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Remember office hours in school? Such a great opportunity for one-on-one time to get extra help, ask questions and brainstorm ideas!
We’re bringing them back by hosting virtual Forever Idaho Office Hours with our Philanthropic Services Administrator Sarah Wissenbach today, February 9 from 10:30 a.m.-noon (Pacific Time) for community organizations in north Idaho who want to talk to us before they submit their Forever Idaho North grant application (reminder – deadline for that is Feb. 15!).
Just like office hours, you can drop in anytime between 10:30 and noon. Click here to join.
If those times, don’t work please let us know and we can schedule something else. We are also available by phone (208-342-3535) and email.
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Forever Idaho North
ICF’s Forever Idaho North Grant Program, which provides grants of up to $25,000, is now accepting applications from organizations that serve the following counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone.
For more information, including eligibility and application, click here. For Forever Idaho Grant Program Guidelines, click here. Deadline for submission is February 15.
Idaho Future Fund
The Idaho Future Fund is accepting applications from Idaho organizations for preschool scholarships, charter schools, public schools, public school libraries and supplemental educational programs. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $20,000 and are intended to support gaps in educational programs (preschool through 12th grade) that gravely affect the quality of education students receive in Idaho. The grant cycle is open for all counties.
For more information, including eligibility and application, click here. Deadline for submission is March 1.
Ifft Foundation Fund
The Ifft Foundation Fund in ICF is seeking grant requests for projects that will provide landscaping, beautification and public recreation in southeast Idaho. Grant requests will only be considered from the following counties: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Power.
For information about eligibility, or to apply, click here. Deadline for submission is March 15.
ICF Scholarship Opportunities
ICF has more than 70 scholarship opportunities for students seeking assistance with the cost of higher education.
Information and applications for ICF scholarships can be found here. For questions, email Sarah Wissenbach (Scholarships@idahocf.org) or call (208) 342-3535 ext. 19.
Application deadlines vary, but most are due by March 15.
Project Neighborly – Idaho
The Idaho Community Foundation has expanded its highly successful Project Neighborly grant program and will offer it in the Treasure Valley, north Idaho and east Idaho. The program funds hyperlocal projects such as community gardens, neighborhood clean-ups and acts of kindness that encourage creation of welcoming communities that include new people who have different viewpoints or life experiences.
Project Neighborly is currently open in:
East Idaho: Bannock, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte counties and the Fort Hall Reservation
North Idaho: Benewah, Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, and Shoshone counties
Treasure Valley: Ada and Canyon Counties
Click here to learn more. Deadline for submission is April 8.
Bonner County Endowment for Human Rights
The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force Fund in ICF is seeking grant requests from organizations whose activities reflect commitment to the ideal that everyone is equal, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
Grant requests up to $8,000 will be considered. Grant requests will only be considered from Bonner County. For more information or to apply, click here. Deadline to apply is April 30.
Bonner County Fund for Arts Enhancement
The Bonner County Fund for Arts Enhancement in ICF is seeking grant requests for projects that demonstrate how the arts encourage creative and critical thinking, stimulate economic vitality and enhance the quality of life in a community.
Grants typically range from $3,000-$12,000. Grant requests will only be considered from Bonner County. For more information, including eligibility and application, click here. Deadline to apply is April 30.
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Chesnut Family Scholarship Fund - Created by Tanya Chesnut of Post Falls to provide scholarship support to graduates of Post Falls High School pursuing a health sciences degree at an accredited Idaho college or university. She created the scholarship as a way to recognize the excellence of Post Falls High and Idaho’s colleges and universities.
Thelma Shear Park Memorial Fund - Created by Lonnie and Annette Park in memory of Lonnie’s mother, Thelma Shear Park, and in support of the Boise Philharmonic. Lonnie noted that Thelma loved the Boise Phil and that she was an artist herself, teaching dance, ballet and music at her art studio in Burley.
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The Idaho Community Foundation welcomes gifts sent as memorials or in honor of individuals on their birthdays, anniversaries, retirement or other special occasions.
The following gifts were received January 1, 2022, through January 31, 2022:
In Memory of Diane Arrants
Community Assistance League of Sandpoint
Lavenia Millar
Candida Worsham Whitford
In Memory of Katy Benoit
Lorene Guentz
In Memory of Leora Hansen
Lary Hansen
In Honor of Alice Hennessey
Sheila Hennessey and Ernest Blackwelder
In Memory of John William Jackson
Paul Jellema
Cecile Nguyen
In Memory of Judy Nelson
Ann and James Walker
Joan Woodard
In Memory of Patty Smallwood
Freda Cenarrusa
In Memory of Mary Ann Solberg
Philip “Flip” and Jo Ella Kleffner
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