Idaho Philanthropy

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Story coming soon.

Story coming soon.

Story coming soon.

Nick and Sara Ifft were deeply rooted in Pocatello, where they owned and published the Idaho State Journal. But their legacy extends far beyond journalism. In 1983, they created the Ifft Foundation to beautify communities and improve public spaces, ensuring neighborhoods had parks, trails, and places to gather.

Sara was known for her warmth and community spirit, and Nick for his vision of a more vibrant, welcoming city. Together, they invested in education, supporting scholarships at Idaho State University, and in projects that improved daily life across eastern Idaho.

From landscaped intersections to the beloved Portneuf Greenway, their philanthropy touched thousands. Quietly, without seeking recognition, the Iffts helped shape the character of their community. We honor Nick and Sara Ifft as Founding Philanthropists in the Idaho Philanthropy Hall of Fame.

For more than six decades, Anna Margaret Jones quietly shaped Boise’s civic and cultural life through compassion, conviction, and faith.

Grounded in her Catholic values and a lifelong commitment to service, she gave generously of her time and resources to organizations that empowered others — from the Girl Scouts, Junior League, and Bishop Kelly High School to the Boise Philharmonic and the Learning Lab.

After the passing of her husband, Stanley, Anna Margaret and their daughters established the Four J Foundation, creating a lasting legacy of family philanthropy. Together they supported St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute, funding advancements in cancer treatment and patient care, as well as scholarships and programs that uplift Idaho families.

Anna Margaret exemplified the belief that generosity is both a duty and a joy. Her legacy continues to shine through the lives she touched and the community she helped build. We welcome Anna Margaret Jones as a Founding Philanthropist in the Idaho Philanthropy Hall of Fame.

Larry and Fran Kissler built their lives on hard work, family, and giving back. As the founders of Norco, they grew a business that supported thousands of Idaho families—but their greatest legacy is their philanthropy.

Together, Larry and Fran quietly and consistently invested in Idaho communities. They championed education, health care, and the arts, supporting scholarships for students, resources for hospitals, and cultural programs that enriched everyday life. Their giving was never about recognition—it was about helping others thrive.

The Kisslers believed deeply that success carries a responsibility to share. Their generosity has touched every corner of Idaho and continues to inspire new generations to build stronger communities. Tonight, we honor Larry and Fran Kissler as Founding Philanthropists in the Idaho Philanthropy Hall of Fame.

Harry and Colleen Magnuson were among North Idaho’s most influential and beloved community leaders — a couple whose vision and generosity helped shape the region’s economic and cultural identity.

Born and raised in Wallace, Harry built a remarkable career as an entrepreneur, investor, and preservationist. He saved the city’s historic downtown from demolition, preserved the Northern Pacific Depot, and helped establish the Wallace District Mining Museum, ensuring the Silver Valley’s story would endure. But Harry’s investments extended far beyond business — he believed in investing in people and in place.

Colleen shared that same commitment to community, serving countless civic and charitable causes with warmth, humility, and heart. Together, the Magnusons championed education, healthcare, the arts, and historic preservation throughout North Idaho.

Their legacy lives on in the communities they built, the history they protected, and the generosity that continues to inspire future generations.

Harry and Velma Morrison left an indelible mark on Idaho through both vision and generosity. Harry, a pioneering builder whose company helped shape skylines around the world, and Velma, a passionate patron of the arts, shared a belief that success must be reinvested in community.

Together, they championed education, health, and especially the performing arts. The Morrison Center in Boise—known as “Idaho’s premier performing arts venue”—stands as a testament to Velma’s determination to enrich lives through culture. Their foundation continues to provide millions in support for education, medical research, and the arts across Idaho and beyond.

The Morrisons built more than bridges and buildings—they built opportunities, joy, and possibility for generations of Idahoans. Tonight, we honor Harry and Velma Morrison as Founding Philanthropists in the Idaho Philanthropy Hall of Fame.

J.R. and Esther Simplot’s story is an Idaho story — rooted in grit, vision, and generosity. J.R., a self-made entrepreneur who left home at 14, built one of the world’s most successful agribusiness empires from humble beginnings in Declo, Idaho. His innovation transformed the potato industry and brought Idaho’s name to dinner tables around the globe. But his success was never just about business — it was about creating opportunity.

Alongside him, Esther Simplot has devoted her life to nurturing Idaho’s creative spirit. A lifelong advocate for music, dance, and the performing arts, she helped strengthen cornerstone institutions like the Boise Philharmonic, Opera Idaho, and Ballet Idaho — and founded the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy, a vibrant home where artists learn, rehearse, and thrive.

Together, the Simplots built more than a company; they built a legacy of community investment. Through the J.R. Simplot Company Foundation, the Simplot Family Foundation, and Esther’s continuing leadership, their philanthropy continues to strengthen Idaho’s schools, arts, and people. Their story embodies the Idaho spirit — industrious, imaginative, and generous.