BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Shoshone Project’s total philanthropic impact benefitting rural communities in Lincoln County reached $244,000 in 2025.

The grassroots nonprofit based in Ketchum marked a record year of growth, grant making, and rural investment.

In 2025, Shoshone Project:

Colorful, lightweight plastic tubes snap together to create life-size structures that Lincoln County Youth Center kids can use to design, build and even crawl through. These oversized engineering tubes encourage creativity and hands-on exploration as children construct everything from bridges and towers to imaginative vehicles.

Provided more than $127,000 in direct financial support to Lincoln County nonprofits and community programs

Facilitated $33,000 in direct grants to local organizations

Delivered $83,000 in in-kind donations, including a Sprinter van and other critical resources

Completed its Sixth Annual Warm Clothing and Food Drive, serving more than 175 families across Lincoln County

And those involved with The Shoshone Project haven’t lifted their feet from the gas pedal.

Already, in 2026, The Shoshone Project has approved more than $40,000 in grants to the Lincoln County Youth Center in Richfield, which serves more than 80 youth each school day through after-school programs, teen programs, preschool services, and the new Early Learning Center.

The funding helped retire the remaining mortgage on the building supporting the Youth Center’s new Early Learning Center. The Center operates the only certified childcare center in Lincoln County and provides licensed early learning programs for children ages 2 to 5.

The funding also provides operating support for the Youth Center and Lincoln County Connections, a transportation service for families across the county.

The investment comes at a critical time, said Candice Stark, who founded The Shoshone Project. According to the Idaho State Department of Education, Idaho ranks 50th in the nation in kindergarten readiness, highlighting the urgent need for expanded early childhood education opportunities, particularly in rural communities.

The Shoshone Project is also addressing food insecurity in Lincoln County by committing $3,000 per month to local Lincoln County food pantries, specifically for the purchase of protein and eggs.

 "Since this program began, meat has been included in approximately 94 percent of our food boxes, up from about 50 percent before the program started,” said Sheryl Mason at Hope for the Hungry food pantry in Shoshone. "That’s a huge difference for our families."

The Shoshone Project was started to address the needs of a county that provides much of the work force for Blaine County. Nearly 40 percent of those who work at St. Luke’s Wood River, Sun Valley Resort, Wood River Valley landscaping companies and other companies live outside Blaine County.

Many of those residents commute to work daily to work at local businesses and in service industries.

While roughly 20 percent of Americans live in rural communities, only 5 to 7 percent of philanthropic dollars reach these areas. Lower tax bases, fewer large donors, geographic distance, and less visible need often contribute to an imbalance when it comes to providing necessary resources, said Stark.

“Shoshone Project was founded on a simple belief--that our regional communities are deeply connected and interdependent,” she added. “Our commitment to rural infrastructure is ultimately a commitment to people--to families who want to stay in their communities, raise their children and contribute to the economy we all share.”

Thanks to generous supporters, Shoshone Project doubled its giving in 2025 and aims to more than double its impact again in 2026.

Want to know more? Visit https://www.shoshoneproject.org/.

HEAR ALL ABOUT THE SHOSHONE PROJECT

On Monday Candice Stark of The Shoshone Project and Rebecca Wood of the Lincoln County Youth Center will speak with Boise State Public Radio about the challenges facing rural communities and how philanthropy and local partnerships can help close the rural funding gap. The broadcast will air at 12:15 p.m. Monday, March 23, on 91.1 FM.