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March 2022
Picture: Steve Burns - Caption: From the President & CEO
President's Letter

Dear ICF Supporters:
Sometimes ICF’s work actually involves rocket science! 

Proof of this can be found at the SheTech Conference that was held last week for high school students from around the state. The conference, which is put on by womentechcouncil Idaho, is designed to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers, get innovative with real-world STEM challenges and meet real people and organizations working in STEM. 

According to an article by Eva Reid on the website Technical.ly, the number of women in STEM careers has increased from 8% in 1970 to 27% in 2019, but there is still a long way to go. Introducing girls to STEM opportunities while they are in high school is an important step in shaping career paths. 

Here is where the Idaho Community Foundation comes in. Sarah Wissenbach, ICF’s Philanthropic Services Administrator, presented at one of the SheTech workshops, offering tips and tricks to help attendees apply for scholarships, including ones available through the Idaho Community Foundation. 

Earning a degree that will prepare women for a STEM career is a wonderful goal, but figuring out how to pay for that degree can be a barrier. ICF and its fundholders have provided scholarships to thousands of students over the years and we have more than 50 scholarship opportunities. The deadline for many of them is March 15, so if there’s a student in your life who could benefit, please share that link with them. Sarah will make sure the application is less daunting than a college curriculum.    

Best wishes,

Steve Burns
Background: Group of Women in a Coffee Shop - Caption: The Women’s Giving Connection is Idaho’s newest giving circle.
Women’s History Month: ICF’s Giving Circles

The power of collective giving is important to the Idaho Community Foundation. In honor of March being Women’s History Month, we are sharing one of our favorite ways this philanthropy is demonstrated – through women’s giving circles.

The concept of women’s giving circles is simple, but powerful. Each woman in the group pays an annual membership fee, and the fees are pooled together. The group gathers to decide which organizations in their community should receive grants. As more members join, the grants grow larger.

The Idaho Community Foundation assists with the work of three women’s giving circles in Idaho – the Women’s Gift Alliance in Kootenai County, the Women’s Giving Connection of Southern Idaho, and the Wood River Women’s Foundation in Blaine County. ICF collects members’ dues, invests endowed funds and distributes grants. We are looking forward to hosting the first-ever statewide Women’s Giving Circle Gathering in 2022. Details to come.

The Women’s Giving Connection of Southern Idaho is Idaho’s newest giving circle and it began the way many do – as a conversation between friends who are looking for a way to make a charitable impact in their community.

The WGC was founded by ICF Board Director Linda Watkins, with help from Sami Ashenbrener, Kathy MacMillan and Lori Ward. It kicked off its opening celebration in December and now has 40 members. Their first grant cycle is currently accepting grant applications from Cassia, Jerome, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties.

“A giving circle is a great example of women helping women become better leaders and philanthropists in our communities,” said Linda, who is the former executive director of the Twin Falls Education Foundation. “Now, more than ever, we need each other as we navigate out of a very isolating time in our world.”
Background: Neighborhood with streets and houses - Caption: Project Neighborly Idaho
Project Neighborly Deadline is April 8

The Idaho Community Foundation has launched Year 2 of our 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. Grants will be $250 to $5,000. Deadline to apply is April 8.

Project Neighborly is led by the Idaho Community Foundation with support from community 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.

ICF hosted a Great Ideas Workshop and Brainstorm Session in Coeur d’Alene last month with help from CDA 2030, Civic Engagement Alliance, the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce and United Way of North Idaho. We’ll host another one in Pocatello on March 17 and one in Idaho Falls on March 18. Details to come.

You can learn more about Project Neighborly here. If you’d like to support Project Neighborly in your region you can donate here.
 
Background: Calculator, Pen and Paper - Caption: Job Opening Background: None - Caption: Nonprofit Regional Conferences Idaho Nonprofit Center
We are growing! Idaho Nonprofit Center Regional Conferences

We are excited to announce that our staff is continuing to grow and that we are adding a Staff Accountant.  

This position works closely with the Vice President, Finance and Operations and Accounting Manager to complete the overall financial activities of the organization. Responsibilities include reconciling cash, completing receivables and payables and other general accounting duties. See full position description. Apply for this position.

We receive some of our best referrals from people who know us best, so if you know an accountant who might be a great fit for the Idaho Community Foundation, please share this with them!

 

We are proud to support our partners at the Idaho Nonprofit Center with their Regional Conferences, a day of in-person learning and connection with local nonprofits.

Regional Conferences will take place in six locations in Idaho throughout March. They are an opportunity for nonprofit leaders to increase their skills and knowledge, network with colleagues, and find ways to collaborate to increase the impact of their nonprofit and community.

This year’s theme is Building Up Trust. Learn more and get registered.

 
 
Upcoming Deadlines Background: Blue Color - Caption: New Funds Memorials and Honors

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.

F.M., Anne G., and Beverly B. Bistline Foundation Fund
The F.M., Anne G., and Beverly B. Bistline Foundation Fund in ICF is accepting applications for projects related to the arts in the southeast Idaho counties of Bannock, Bingham, Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Power. Grants may fall under two categories:

  • Supporting arts activities that will provide entertainment or art-related education to the general public.
  • Supporting the education, skills training, performance, or display opportunities for local artists.

For more information about eligibility, or to apply, click here. Deadline for submission is May 1.

Junior Garnier & Bud Ashford Military Veterans Fund
The Junior Garnier & Bud Ashford Military Veterans Fund in ICF is accepting applications for veteran’s organizations located in Bonner and Boundary counties that are serving veterans in that region. This includes American Legion posts, Disabled American Veterans chapters, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States posts, Vietnam Veterans of America chapters, and Marine Corps League detachments.

For more information about eligibility, or to apply, click here. Deadline for submission is May 1.
 

Salmon River High School Scholarship Fund – Created by Carl and Ingrid Skyrman of Riggins to provide scholarships to graduates of Salmon River High School.

 

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 February 1, 2022, through February 28, 2022:

In Memory of Margarita Teresa Bilbao Ysursa Asla
Freda Cenarrusa
Ray and Linda Stark

In Memory of Vernon Bisterfeldt
Ray and Linda Stark

In Memory of Michael Bonar
Melissa Santos

In Memory of Nancy Jones Hess
Panhandle Alliance for Education, Inc

In Memory of Tim Hogland
Alice Hennessey
Ray and Linda Stark

In Honor of Bill “Action” and Jackie Jackson
Alice Hennessey

In Memory of Michael Johnson
Bill “Action” and Jackie Jackson

In Honor of Sheila Nadauld
Janet Taylor

In Memory of Gary Richardson
Alice Hennessey

In Memory of Carol Thomas
Community Assistance League of Sandpoint

In Memory of Phil Wilson
Edith Easterbrook

 
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Idaho Community Foundation
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Phone: 208.342.3535  |  Email: info@idahocf.org