Innovia Foundation announces community grants

Innovia Foundation recently announced $869,300 in grants awarded to 82 organizations in Eastern Washington and North Idaho through its Community Grant Program.

Among the groups receiving grants are those offering services and programs in Boundary County. They include: Community Cancer Services, which offers services in Boundary and Bonner counties, received a $5,000 grant; Sandpoint Community Resource Center, which offers services in Boundary and Bonner counties, received a $10,000 grant; Friends of the Shelter (dba Panhandle Animal Shelter), which offers services in Boundary, Bonner, and Kootenai counties, received a $9,450 grant; Priest River Ministries, which offers services in Boundary, Bonner, and Kootenai counties, received a $17,500 grant; First Judicial District CASA Program, which offers services throughout the five northern counties in Idaho, received at $15,000 grant; Idaho Youth Ranch, which offers services throughout the five northern counties in Idaho, received a $15,000 grant; and 9B Trails, which offers services in Boundary, Bonner, and Kootenai counties, received a $13,000 grant.

Due to the rapidly changing circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the grants are being awarded as flexible funding to be used by grantees to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in local communities and address immediate needs in accordance with their organization’s mission.

“We recognize that organizations have shifted their priorities in the last 90 days, and we want to support those needs in the best way we can. By providing flexible grants, we know funding will go directly to programs supporting communities vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19,” said Shelly O’Quinn, CEO, Innovia Foundation.

Grant recommendations were made in partnership with over 40 volunteers who serve on Innovia’s regional grantmaking committees.