High school grant applications announced
BY MAX SILVERSON
The Star-News
The Idaho Community Foundation recently announced over $89,000 in grant funding to nonprofit organizations in Valley and Adams County.
Awards range from $1,000 to $7,500 to a broad range of groups including educational programs, health services, outdoor recreational opportunities, and cultural projects that enrich the lives of local residents.
Organizations, the total amount granted and what the money will be used for are listed below.
The contributions were awarded from two of the organization’s programs.
About $46,400 was granted through the Perc H. Shelton and Gladys A. Pospisil Shelton Foundation Advised Fund. The fund is dedicated to “supporting projects that uphold the legacy of community enrichment” set forth by the fund’s founders.
Another $43,606 was granted to local groups through the nonprofit’s Forever Idaho Fund. About $342,000 was awarded through the fund statewide.
The fund is supported by donations that are directed towards nonprofits, schools, libraries and community service organizations to assist with urgent needs.
The Idaho Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization serving communities across the state for over 35 years.
In October, the foundation merged with the Idaho Nonprofit Center, which has hosted the statewide fundraising initiative Idaho Gives for the past several years.
The foundation recently opened applications for The Idaho Youth in Philanthropy Project grant for rural high schools.
Six high schools in communities with less than 30,000 residents can apply for grants of $5,000 that students will re-distribute to local nonprofits.
The goal is for students to learn about nonprofit operations, the role of philanthropy in their community, and how to evaluate grant applications.
“This project aims to equip Idaho’s rural youth with skills in leadership, critical
thinking, and collaboration,” said ICF Vice President for Impact and Nonprofit Center,
Kevin Bailey.
“By engaging in real-world philanthropy, these students will gain valuable
experience in decision-making and foster a lifelong commitment to their communities,” Bailey said.
Schools can apply for the program until Dec. 6, with winners announced in early 2025. If chosen, students will be tasked with giving out their funds this spring.
For more information visit www.idahocf.org or email info@idahononprofits.org.
Here is a list of local recipients of local awards from the Perc H. Shelton and Gladys A. Pospisil Shelton Foundation Advised Fund:
• Building Hope Today – $4,200 for training on trauma-informed victim care
to support the prevention and investigation of child sexual abuse cases in Valley County.
• Cascade Medical Center Foundation – $3,200 to install in-wall oxygen in the Emergency Room.
• Central Idaho Historical Museum – $3,000 for repairs to the historic Bunkhouse, give a home to archives, a greeting center, and exhibits.
• Disabled Sports USA – $2,000 to enroll students with disabilities in the Ski for Health of It program, promoting mental and physical health.
• Educational Theatre of Idaho – $4,000 to provide theatre education and performances for local school districts, benefiting 500 students.
• Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council – $1,000 to replace concrete for safety at Camp Alice Pittenger.
• McCall Arts & Humanities Council – $2,000 to support Creative Campus Classes for youth, including the Messy Munchkin Series and Summer Camp Programs.
• McCall College Foundation – $3,000 to purchase a mobile refrigerator for the McCall Community Center and the new West Central Mountains Culinary Program.
• McCall Ski Heritage Foundation – $2,000 for a public art mural celebrating McCall’s ski history and encouraging outdoor recreation.
• McCall Winter Sports Club – $3,500 to procure licensing and certifications for coaches.
• MCPAWS – $3,000 to provide spay/neuter surgeries for 78 animals.
• Rise Up 2 Thrive – $2,500 to improve community responses for victims and support their rights.
• Roots Forest School – $3,000 to provide tuition assistance for families in need.
• Shepherd’s Home – $4,000 to offer health care supplements for house parents caring for children in need.
• University of Idaho Foundation – $3,500 to deliver outdoor science education for 5th-grade and high school students.
• Winter Wildlands Alliance – $2,500 to purchase snowshoes for youth participation in SnowSchool at Ponderosa State Park.
A list of grants from the Forever Idaho Fund is detailed below:
Adams County
• City of New Meadows – $7,500 for a new preschool/childcare program
• Saves The Day Inc – $3,790
Valley County
• Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall – $1,000
• Cascade Food Pantry Inc. – $5,000
• Cascade School District No. 422 – $3,500
• id Theater Inc. – $2,500
• Ignite Idaho Family Resource Center, Inc. – $6,000
• McCall Community Center – $5,000
• MCPAWS Inc. – $2,500
• Payette Lakes Ski Club Inc. – $4,000
• Rise Up 2 Thrive, Inc. – $2,816
