STORY BY CATHY TYSON
PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Eleven Wood River Valley nonprofits are reveling in the generosity of the Spur Community Foundation.
The organization, which is dedicated to inspiring effective philanthropy in the valley, has awarded $255,000 in Impact Grants in the first of its two grant cycles this year.
Recipients of Spur’s Impact Grants demonstrated substantial potential to respond effectively to a priority community need or to increase their capacity to meet a priority community need. Spur awarded the full amount it had allocated for this cycle to support the following initiatives:
5B Suicide Prevention Alliance - $25,000 – Suicide Prevention Education and Outreach
The Advocates - $15,000 – Smart About Money Course
Blaine County Charitable Fund - $30,000 – Financial Assistance Programs
Far + Wise - $25,000 – Capacity Building
Flourish Foundation - $25,000 – Mindful Awareness Ambassador Pilot Program at Hailey Elementary
Lee Pesky Learning Center – $20,000 - Literacy Pods for Older Students
National Forest Foundation – $10,000 - Bald Mountain Stewardship Project
The Alliance - $25,000 – Capacity Building
The Liberty Theatre Co. - $20,000 – Latino Children’s Story Radio Play
The Sawtooth Society - $30,000 – Expanding Trail Stewardship Program
Wood River Community YMCA - $30,000 = SummerBridge 2025 Program
“This suite of grants addresses important work in support of youth, vulnerable populations, wildfire prevention and the stewardship of natural resources,” said Sally Gillespie, Spur’s executive director.
“We are grateful to have received so many strong proposals and plan to reach out to our network of donors to encourage others to help fulfil the unfunded portions of the requests we received. Anyone wanting to learn more about programs and initiatives already vetted by Spur should contact us.”
Spur’s granting capacity is made possible by the generosity of individuals who want to ensure their local philanthropy helps the community where it is needed most. These donors contribute to a variety of Funds established by Spur to cover the primary categories of nonprofit missions, such as Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Housing, and Health & Human Services. People interested in supporting the Wood River Valley donate to the Funds that fit their interests. These gifts are pooled with other donations and granted collectively based on applications received and Spur’s knowledge of local needs and opportunities.
Spur’s operational expenses are funded by its board members, a group of advisors, and voluntary gifts from grateful donors--so 100% of every contribution is available to be granted.
Spur’s next grant cycle takes place in the fall. The focus at that time will be on more generalized support for programs and services that are important to the fabric of life in the Wood River Valley.
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 eight years ago, Spur has awarded $2.9 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.