STORY BY LYNNE MACKENZIE
PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Wood River Women’s Foundation (WRWF) will honor their 2018 Grant Recipients at their 13th Annual Celebration of Grant Recipients and Annual Luncheon on Aug. 8 in the tent at Trail Creek Cabin.
Awards this year will total more than $334,000 and will be granted to 16 local nonprofits. Since 2006, the WRWF has funded more than 125 grants totaling more than $2,327,000.
“In every one of the past 13 years we have been honored to support the incredible work of our local non-profits,” said Peggy Grove, president of the WRWF Board. “Our members bring their best philanthropic skills to the grant review process and are always excited to see the results.”
Over this year’s cycle, WRWF members screened more than 34 applications, visited the sites of applicants and listened to presentations describing the many projects that will benefit the Wood River Valley Community. In April, all 340 members had an opportunity to vote on the final slate of applicants.
“The project requests have always been amazing and this year was no exception,” said Lynne Heidel and Gina Wolcott, who have co-chaired the WRWF Grants Committee for the past several years. “Each of our finalists was worthy of our funding and our members truly had their work cut out for them to reach their decisions.”
At the luncheon the 2018 Grants winners will receive amounts ranging from $1,158 to $25,000. 2018 Grant recipients include the Blaine County Recreation District, the Senior Connection, the Crisis Hotline, Family Health Services, the Flourish Foundation, Hailey Ice Community Partnership, Higher Ground Sun Valley, Idaho Trails Association, Lava Lake Institute, Lee Pesky Learning Center College Challenge, Little Wood River Public Library, Swiftsure Ranch, the Community Library, The Spot, YMCA and the Wood River Middle School Outdoor Adventure Education.
The event will take place from 11:00am to 1:30pm at the Trail Creek Cabin, Sun Valley Resort. In addition to the awards presentations, speakers include Jenny Emery-Davidson, executive director of The Community Library which received a 2018 grant, and Kristy Heitzman, executive director of the Blaine County Education Foundation, a 2017 grantee.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are $35 and are available for purchase until Aug. 4 at www.woodriverwomensfoundation.org. For more information, contact the WRWF office at 208-309-2530.
The Wood River Women’s Foundation mission is to inspire and educate women to become leaders in philanthropy and bring significant, positive change to the community by pooling and distributing its members’ resources. New members are welcome and encouraged to attend the luncheon for more information.