BY AUTUMN KERSEY

Tricia Swartling, the chief executive officer of The Advocates, has been named the 2025 Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the Idaho Community Foundation.

Swartling is being recognized for more than 30 years of visionary leadership, community collaboration and steadfast commitment to helping Idahoans build safer stronger lives.

Under her leadership, The Advocates has grown from a small volunteer hotline to a comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault prevention organization serving four counties in south-central Idaho. Swartling led the effort to open the area’s first shelter in 1999, followed by transitional housing and a second major capital campaign that will soon expand services and create a new hub for community support in the heart of Hailey.

“Tricia has been a cornerstone of Idaho’s nonprofit sector,” said Kevin Bailey, vice president of Impact and Idaho Nonprofit Center. “She’s built partnerships that reach far beyond her own organization, strengthening entire systems of care through collaboration, innovation, and compassion.”

Throughout her career, Swartling has modeled the values she teaches: trust, accountability, optimism, and a belief that nonprofits—and the people who power them—are vital to Idaho’s quality of life, according the Idaho Community Foundation.

In addition to leading The Advocates, she has served on several boards including the Idaho Nonprofit Center and Idaho Community Foundation Southwest Regional Council. She has taught grant writing to emerging leaders and mentored dozens of nonprofit professionals statewide.

“Tricia embodies the Idaho way of philanthropy, neighbors helping neighbors and communities investing in each other,” said Steve Burns, president and CEO of The Idaho Community Foundation. “Her work reminds us that every Idahoan deserves safety, dignity, and opportunity.”

Swartling will be recognized at the inaugural Gem Ball featuring the Idaho Philanthropy Hall of Fame at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Boise Centre East. The annual event celebrates Idahoans whose leadership, generosity and service strengthen communities and grow the culture of philanthropy across the state.

Tickets and sponsorships are available at https://www.idahocf.org/philanthropy.php.

The Idaho Community Foundation was founded nearly 40 years ago to help Idahoans funnel their investments in the people, places and causes they care most about.