ICF campaign puts grant power in residents' hands

SANDPOINT — Like many of the community's nonprofits, the Bonner Community Food Bank is feeling the strain of rising costs.

But community support and grants from organizations such as the Idaho Community Foundation keep it going, food bank Executive Director Debbie Love recently told foundation officials.

"It's getting harder to meet the needs of our community," Love said. "But support from donors and granting organizations like the Idaho Community Foundation keep us going."

The food bank is a vital lifeline, providing food, dignity and hope to area families navigating hard times, foundation officials said. With locations in Sandpoint and Priest River, the organization serves hundreds of households every month, many of them working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and people experiencing temporary hardship.

The food bank not only distributes pantry staples and fresh produce but also connects families to resources that build long-term stability. Every dollar donated and every grant awarded translates directly into meals, support, and a stronger, more connected community, Love said.

"Philanthropy feeds families in a very real way," Love said. "Every donation makes a difference."

It's why she and foundation officials are hopeful that a new campaign celebrating the more than $200 million granted to Idaho communities and nonprofits since 1988 will add to that legacy of giving by putting the power to direct where some of that grant funding will go.

Through its "$200M Moment: Make More Good Possible" campaign, the foundation is giving four Idahoans the opportunity to direct grants of at least $5,000 each to promising nonprofits in their regions. The initiative celebrates nearly four decades of partnership between the foundation and generous Idahoans who have supported causes ranging from small-town libraries and community theaters to food pantries, senior centers and youth mentorship programs.

Idahoans 18 and older can enter the contest from June 1 through July 30 at idahocf.org/make-more-good-possible.php. One winner will be selected at random from each of the foundation's four regions — East, North, South Central and Southwest — to direct grants to local nonprofits doing essential work in their areas.

Participants can also donate directly to the prize pool or to their regional Forever Idaho Fund to increase the impact of local philanthropy and help ensure communities maintain access to needed services.

Foundation officials said the campaign helps highlight the critical role that small to midsize nonprofits play in meeting community needs, from after-school programs that build children's confidence to food banks like the Bonner Community Food Bank working to ensure no one goes hungry.

"Philanthropy is about investing in the future of our communities," Jon Kimberling, ICF board member, said. "Through ICF, we can ensure that our contributions have a lasting impact, supporting the causes we care about for generations to come."

More information is available at idahocf.org or by emailing info@idahocf.org.