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March 2021
VP Letter
From the Vice President

As you may recall, we announced exciting changes to our Forever Idaho grantmaking program in December as part of our evolving practice of community-driven philanthropy.

Over the past 30 years, Forever Idaho grants have given millions of dollars to Idaho communities. We want to do more than write checks – we want to be a collaborative partner. The Idaho Community Foundation proudly supports a philosophy of trust-based, community-driven philanthropy. 

To continue toward our mission of enriching the quality of life in Idaho communities, we are broadening and expanding the Forever Idaho grant program. What does it look like in practice?

Flexible grants. We will most often provide impact-based (not project-based) unrestricted grants. This will provide maximum flexibility to address evolving needs. Whether grants are used for operating costs or programs, our grantees make the choice.

No more $5,000 limit. We know bigger grants equal bigger impact. We also know that impact looks different for every organization and every community. Our Regional Councils will take this into consideration and award grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

Increased role for Regional Councils. In addition to making grant recommendations, the Regional Councils are excited to be more involved in deeper learning about community needs and becoming better acquainted with organizations working on those needs. If this excites you, we are looking for Regional Council members and would love to hear from you.

We want to work with grantees to create lasting change by putting decisions about community problems into the hands of those who are working to solve them. By leading with empathy and trusting community expertise, we believe these changes will better fit the unique needs of the communities we serve.

If you would like to know more about the Forever Idaho grant program, here’s the link to our webpage.

Forever Idaho grants are funded through the generosity of donors who recognize that the needs within communities and among nonprofits are constantly changing. We invite you to support the Forever Idaho Fund in your region with a gift of any size.

Best wishes,
Cara Nielsen
Vice President, Philanthropy and Impact
Project Neighborly - Idaho
Project Neighborly: Exploring ways to be better neighbors

We are proud to launch Project Neighborly – Idaho, an effort to foster inclusion and inspire neighborliness in local communities. The deadline to apply is April 1.

Inspired by our friends at the Whatcom Community Foundation, Project Neighborly will provide seed funding for ideas that encourage us to explore ways to be better neighbors. You come up with the ideas, and a Project Neighborly grant will help bring those ideas to life.

At this time, Project Neighborly grants are limited to 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 or local governments), and others.

Grants of $250 to $5,000 will be awarded to fuel inspiring, actionable, relevant projects that develop a sense of community. Grant funding is flexible and can be used for the expenses involved in the creation and execution of the proposed project.

For more information, ideas and to apply, check out the Project Neighborly-Idaho webpage.
 
Sheila Hennessey INC
Sheila Hennessey named interim CEO of INC Idaho Nonprofit Center Regional Conference March 16

The Idaho Nonprofit Center has named Sheila Hennessey as its interim CEO following the departure of former President and CEO Amy Little, who accepted a position as the business consulting manager for MoFi in Boise.

An executive recruiter focused exclusively on serving clients in the nonprofit and higher education sectors, Sheila is also leading the search for INC’s new CEO.

She serves on the board of directors of the Idaho Youth Ranch and serves on the Idaho Commission on the Arts. She is a member of ICF’s Southwest Regional Council and is the daughter of two-time ICF President and CEO Alice Hennessey.

The Idaho Nonprofit Center Regional Conference, “Staying Resilient in Uncertain Times,” will be held virtually on March 16. Click for more information.

The conference is a day-long 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.

Session topics include:

  • Renew your Strategy: Planning Recovery for COVID-19
  • Understanding Your Financial Statements
  • New Donor Acquisition
  • The Power of Partnership

Prices are $50 for one person; $15 for each additional person.
 
Upcoming Deadlines Legacy Society Memorials and Honors
Upcoming Deadlines New Legacy Society Honors & Memorials

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 is here. For questions, email Sarah Wissenbach or call (208) 342-3535 ext. 19. Application deadlines vary, but most are due by March 15.

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.

See eligibility and application information. Deadline for submission is March 15.

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.

Grant requests up to $10,000 will be considered. 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.

The Bistline Fund advisors will consider grants for general operating support. For more information, including eligibility, click here. To apply, click here. Deadline for submission is May 1.

The Cancer Connection Idaho Fund
The Cancer Connection Idaho (TCCI) Fund in ICF is offering grants up to $5,000 to nonprofits, public educational institutions, governmental entities and others that provide programs for those affected by cancer.

Grant applications should support TCCI’s mission to “empower people touched by cancer to find support, resources, education and a sense of community.” Past grants have supported a writing contest for teens that had cancer or a loved one with cancer, wellness programs such as gentle yoga and movement classes, mind-body skills and more.

For more information or to download an application, click here and look for Cancer Connection Idaho Fund under Grants by Region, click on Statewide. The submission deadline is May 1.

We sincerely thank Bron Roberts and Jeremy Gray of Boise for joining our Legacy Society and enriching the quality of life throughout Idaho. Members of the Legacy Society are generous donors who will continue to support Idaho communities through their estate plans.

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, 2021 through February 28, 2021:

In Memory of Marcia Hagenbuch
Don and Andrea Solberg
Craig and Jane Spencer

In Memory of Gloria Hoopes
Keith Gnagey
Gretchen Rydin

In Memory of Clyde Motes
Mark and Holly Motes
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Idaho Community Foundation
210 West State Street  •  Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208.342.3535  |  Email: info@idahocf.org