Idaho Philanthropy

Joe and Kathryn Albertson built more than one of America’s most successful grocery chains — they built a culture of giving rooted in humility and care for others.

Joe, born in Yukon, Oklahoma, and raised in Caldwell, Idaho, started his career as a clerk in a Safeway store before opening the first Albertsons in Boise in 1939. From that single store grew one of the nation’s most respected retail companies, guided by Joe’s philosophy of hard work, innovation, and service.

But for Joe and Kathryn, success was never just about business — it was about giving back. In 1966 they established the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, dedicated to improving education and expanding opportunities for Idahoans. Kathryn continued that vision after Joe’s passing, championing education, parks, and community spaces — including the beloved Kathryn Albertson Park in Boise.

Today, their foundation remains one of Idaho’s most impactful philanthropic forces, carrying forward their belief that by accelerating opportunities, we can unlock the full potential of Idahoans and keep our state’s future bright.

Tom and Julia Davis came to Idaho with little more than determination, vision, and faith in what a community could become.

Tom arrived in Boise in the early 1860s, a former indentured servant with few possessions but a tireless work ethic and a belief that perseverance could turn struggle into opportunity. Through grit and ingenuity, he built a livelihood as a farmer, merchant, and civic leader. Over time, his small acts of enterprise — clearing land, planting orchards, opening businesses — helped transform a frontier outpost into a thriving city.

Julia shared Tom’s spirit of generosity and devotion to community. Together, they believed that Boise’s promise lay not just in growth, but in creating spaces where people could live, gather, and belong. As their prosperity grew, so did their commitment to giving back. They opened their home to travelers and neighbors, supported local churches and schools, and worked side by side to strengthen the young city they both loved.

John and Dee Fery were partners in every sense — in life, in leadership, and in their shared belief that Idaho thrives when its people give back.

John rose from humble beginnings to become CEO and Chairman of Boise Cascade, where his leadership was marked by integrity, empathy, and high standards. Known for his balanced approach to business and community, John believed success meant doing right by employees, customers, and the places they called home. His vision extended beyond corporate walls — he saw philanthropy as a responsibility. When approached about creating a statewide community foundation, John immediately recognized its potential. He assembled civic leaders from every region, guided the effort with persistence and optimism, and helped will the Idaho Community Foundation into existence in 1988.

Dee shared that same sense of purpose, but her impact was felt most vividly through the arts. As chair of the Idaho Commission on the Arts, she championed creativity as essential to community well-being, strengthening organizations like the Boise Art Museum, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Opera Idaho. Her advocacy helped elevate Idaho’s cultural landscape and gave artists a stronger voice and home.

Together, John and Dee Fery nurtured Idaho’s economic and cultural growth. Their generosity supported education, youth programs, and outdoor spaces — but their truest legacy lives on in the institutions, artists, and communities they helped flourish. The Fery family continues their example of service, ensuring that the spirit of giving John and Dee modeled remains central to Idaho’s story.

Few names are as synonymous with Coeur d’Alene as Duane and Lola Hagadone. Together, they transformed their hometown into a place of possibility and pride — and gave back to it generously for decades.

Duane, an Idaho-born entrepreneur and visionary developer, built an empire rooted in creativity, hospitality, and community spirit. From his early days at the Coeur d’Alene Press to creating The Coeur d’Alene Resort, his projects reflected his love for his city and state. Yet, even amid remarkable success, he and Lola believed their greatest work was improving lives and opportunities for others.

Through the Hagadone Foundation and their personal giving, they have supported education, healthcare, and countless community initiatives across North Idaho. Lola continues that legacy today, focusing her philanthropy on youth, families, and the beauty of the community they cherished.

Their story is one of partnership, generosity, and enduring care for the place they called home — a reminder that when we invest in our communities, we make them shine for generations.

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.