Idaho Community Foundation

OVERVIEW: This funder supports a wide range of causes throughout all 44 counties of Idaho. Grants range up to $5,000 and applications are accepted during select months by region.

IP TAKE: The foundation offers funding opportunities in pretty much every category. Grants are typically modest, but all Idaho counties will find potential opportunities here.

PROFILE: The Idaho Community Foundation (ICF) is one of the largest funders in the state. It seeks to “Enrich the Quality of Life Throughout Idaho and […] to have an impact in all 44 counties across the state.” It is based in Boise and also has offices in Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls. ICF was established in 1988, and the founding donor campaign concluded in 1992 after raising $5 million.

The foundation often publishes current deadlines for grant requests on its homepage. Funds listed here include the Ifft Foundation Fund, Bonner County Human Rights Task Force Fund, the Idaho Future Fund, and more. Grant opportunities are available for each of Idaho’s 44 counties. There are nine types of charitable funds for donors that can be started with as little as $5,000.

The Northern Region competitive grant cycle opens November 1 and closes January 15, and is open to applicants in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone counties. The Eastern Region cycle runs from February 1 to April 1 and includes Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Oneida, Power and Teton counties. Finally, the Southwest Region cycle runs from May 1 to July 1 and includes Ada, Adams, Blaine, Boise, Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, Valley and Washington counties. An additional grant opportunity, the Idaho Future Fund, is open at different times to all regions to benefit preschool through 12th grade schools and libraries.

Funding priorities include arts and culture, conservation/environment, education, emergency services, health, libraries, public projects, recreation and social services. Grants rarely exceed $5,000.

There are also donor-advised competitive grants: Currently, there are 12 of these funds. Find links to each fund's guidelines and application instructions here. The funds touch on topics like the arts, human rights, building philanthropy, veterans, education, beautification projects and behavioral health. The three affiliate foundations are the Grangeville Community Foundation, Lemhi Valley Community Foundation and Priest River Community Foundation. The foundation also provides a COVID-19 response fund for Idaho.

In recent years, the foundation has reported between $117 million and $124 million in total assets. Current financial data is available here. In addition to grants, the foundation also awards scholarships through over 70 scholarship funds.

Direct questions about grants to the staff at grants@idcomfdn.org—email is the preferred method of contact. The ICF leadership consists of a board of directors, executive committee, governance committee, asset development committee, budget subcommittee, financial affairs committees, investment subcommittee, and regional grant panel members. Keep up with the ICF at its news section and events page.

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