On the heels of their $200 millionth moment — a celebration of the total amount awarded to Idaho communities through The Idaho Community Foundation since 1988 — Idaho’s only statewide community foundation has announced an additional infusion of more than $285,000 in Forever Idaho grants to nonprofits across the North Region.
Forever Idaho grants are community-powered. They are fueled by gifts from everyday Idahoans — large and small — that are pooled into regional funds. Each year, these funds grow and provide flexible support to local nonprofits tackling today’s challenges,” a press release said.
Because needs change, Forever Idaho grants are designed to be adaptable: They provide general operating support, giving nonprofits the freedom to use funds where they’re needed most.
“Forever Idaho is about neighbors helping neighbors,” said Joan Woodard, chair of the ICF Regional Council representing 10 counties in North Idaho. “When Idahoans give to Forever Idaho, they make more good possible, today, tomorrow, and forever.”
Grants are recommended by ICF’s North Region Council, made up of local volunteers who know their communities best.
2025 North Region Forever Idaho Grant Recipients
• Benewah County — Benewah County Free Library District; Plummer-Worley School District No. 44.
Total awarded: $10,000
• Bonner County — Bonner County Homeless Task Force; Community Cancer Services; Food For Our Children; Panhandle Special Needs; Priest River Ministries; Sandpoint Area Seniors; Bonner Community Food Center; Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club.
Total awarded: $42,250
• Boundary County — Boundary County Youth Crisis & Domestic Violence Hotline; Explore 4-H Afterschool Fun; The Pearl Theater.
Total awarded: $17,794
• Kootenai County — Family Promise of North Idaho; Idaho Youth Ranch; Kootenai Joint School District 274; Lake City Center; Matt’s Place Foundation; Museum of North Idaho; Newby-Ginnings of North Idaho; Salvage Bureau; The Coeur Group; The Salvation Army — Kroc Center; The Women’s Center; 208 Recovery North; Inland Northwest Land Trust; Kootenai Health Foundation.
Total awarded: $56,603
• Shoshone County — Avery Citizen’s Committee; Kellogg Middle School; Mullan School District; Shoshone County Women’s Resource Center; Silver Valley Seniors; Team Wallace; Wallace Food Bank; Wallace School District #393.
Total awarded: $61,314
Building on Momentum: Dream Big for Idaho
These new grants demonstrate the lasting impact of community philanthropy in action, the release said.
From the $200 million already invested across the state, to this year’s infusion of more than $285,000 in the North Region, Forever Idaho shows what’s possible when generosity is pooled for lasting impact. But the opportunity doesn’t stop here, Idahoans have a once-in-a-generation chance to shape what comes next.
The 2025 Transfer of Wealth study commissioned by The Idaho Community Foundation shows that over the next 10 years, more than $30.6 billion will change hands from one Idaho generation to the next. If just 5% of that wealth is invested in local philanthropy, more than $1.5 billion would be available to strengthen Idaho communities forever.
“The grants announced today are just one example of how Forever Idaho transforms generosity into lasting impact,” said Bill Pfinsgraff, ICF philanthropic adviser for the North Region. “By setting aside even a modest portion of what we have, we can ensure that our children, our towns, and our state have the tools they need to thrive.”