PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Spur Community Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring effective philanthropy in the Wood River Valley, has awarded $178,218 in Community Grants to 19 nonprofit organizations in its second grant cycle of 2024.
Spur’s Community Grants support organizations that enrich the quality of life in the valley.
“We’re proud to support these organizations and the diverse ways they strengthen the fabric of our community” said Alison Van Hook, Spur’s Nonprofit Services director.
Spur awarded the full amount it had allocated for this cycle of Community Grants, to the following initiatives:
Ballet Sun Valley - $10,000 for a New Website
Blaine County Recreation District - $10,000 for Youth Programs Van
BODYTRAFFIC - $10,000 for Workshops with Local Nonprofits
Flourish Foundation - $10,000 for the Discovery Program
Friends of the Hailey Public Library - $9,944 for the Pod Project
Girls on the Run of Southern Idaho - $6,000 for the Blaine County 3rd-8th Grade Program
Higher Ground - $10,000 for Adaptive Summer Programs for Local People with Disabilities
Idaho BaseCamp - $10,000 for the 5th Grade Outdoor Adventure Program
Men's Second Chance Living - $10,000 for a Transitional Living Program
Mountain Humane - $7,274 for Medical Clinic Surgical Equipment
Rotarun Ski Club - $10,000 for Youth Programming
Swiftsure Ranch - $10,000 for General Operating Support
The Community Library - $10,000 for General Operating Support
The Liberty Theatre Company - $10,000 for Funding a Bookkeeper
The Senior Connection - $10,000 for General Operating Support
The Space - $10,000 for Forward Learning Scholars
Trailing of the Sheep - $10,000 for General Operating Support
Wood River Community Orchestra - $5,000 for General Operating Support
Wood River Trails Coalition - $10,000 for General Operating Support
Since Community Grants are capped at $10,000, some organizations’ project requests still need additional funding.
“In keeping with our practice of helping match donors with opportunities, we will be reaching out to our donors to see if anyone wants to help cover those remaining balances,” said Sally Gillespie, Spur’s executive director. “Anyone wanting to learn more about programs and initiatives already vetted by Spur should feel free to reach out to us.”
Combined with the grants from the Impact Grant cycle that took place in the spring, Spur has awarded $428,218 through its competitive grant cycles this year.
Spur’s next grant cycle is now open with Letters of Inquiry due Feb. 1, 2025. The 2025 Impact Grant cycle focuses on supporting projects that are catalytic in nature and have the potential to drive substantial change within an organization or address a pressing community need. Eligible organizations applying for an Impact Grant may request up to $50,000.
Spur’s granting capacity is made possible by the generosity of individuals who are committed to making a meaningful impact where it’s needed most in the community. These donors contribute to various funds established by Spur, each focused on key areas of impact such as Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Housing, and Health & Human Services.
People interested in supporting the Wood River Valley choose the funds that align with their interests, and their donations are pooled with others to be granted collectively. Funding decisions are made by committee, based on applications received and Spur’s intimate knowledge of local needs and opportunities.
Since Spur’s operational expenses are funded by its board members, a group of advisors and gifts from grateful donors, a hundred percent of contributions to a Fund goes directly to local nonprofits.
Founded in 2016, Spur's mission is to inspire effective philanthropy by helping people to give purposefully and local nonprofits to achieve maximum impact. Since it first began making grants in 2017, Spur has awarded $2.7 million to local nonprofits through its annual application cycles.
Interested in giving, granting or learning more about Spur? Visit https://www.spurfoundation.org/ or call 208-450-2600.