Although the number of resources a community foundation can vary they all basically have the same mission. A community foundation is a nonprofit that helps make a positive impact in a specific geographical area by bringing together donations from people, families, and businesses. These donations are put into a fund that grows over time, and the income is used to support local projects and causes—things like education, healthcare, the arts, community services, even puppies! Community foundations are all about helping strengthen and support the local community by making it easier for people to give back and make a difference where it’s needed most.
While the word “foundation” may suggest access to vast resources, the reality is that the amount available can vary widely. Small community foundations with assets under $10 million often provide grants ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, focusing on local projects and initiatives. Medium-sized foundations with assets between $10 million and $50 million may offer grants from $5,000 to $25,000, supporting a wider range of needs. Large foundations with assets exceeding $50 million can provide grants of $25,000 to over $100,000, often funding significant projects or capital campaigns. With $200 million in assets and $124 million in grants awarded since 1974,
Innovia fits into the large foundation category, which is a tremendous benefit for a rural community like ours.
Serving 20 counties across Washington and Idaho, Innovia includes Bonner and Boundary counties in its coverage. Locally, Dig Chrismer serves as the Rural Engagement Manager for northern Idaho, ensuring that residents have access to Innovia’s resources.
Dig, who moved to the Inland Northwest because of Schweitzer, spent about 25 years in the ski industry before transitioning into nonprofit work. Though she remains involved in the outdoor winter sports community by serving on the board of the
Sandpoint Nordic Club and acting as a youth ski league coach, her shift to Innovia stemmed from a deep desire to broaden the ways she could give back to her community.
Dig describes her role at Innovia as akin to a tinker toy, where a wooden spoke connects various pieces—connecting donors to nonprofits, nonprofits to grants, and both to any resources or opportunities they may need, or not even realize they require.
While Innovia does offer grants Dig advises against coming to rely solely on those. Grants can be unpredictable for nonprofits, as they may not always be guaranteed and can change unexpectedly. It's crucial for nonprofits to have a solid strategy for utilizing grants as part of their funding. However, an even more important focus, according to Dig, is how nonprofits manage relationships with their existing donors. It's vital to help donors understand how their contributions benefit the organization and what types of donations are needed. Dig can help coach and mentor nonprofits in this area.
Innovia has also had nonprofits set up endowment funds with them. One such nonprofit is the Bonner County Food Bank. Nonprofits often struggle to fund operational expenses like staffing or utilities. The endowment funds allow those operational costs to be covered, so they can request grant funding for specific programming. Some other local partners with endowment funds in Bonner and Boundary county include the Festival at Sandpoint, the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, PAFE, The Panida, Community Cancer Services, James E Russell Sports Center, Priest River Ministries and Grow Organic Gardeners.
Innovia’s resources aren’t limited to any specific type of nonprofit. Whether it’s health and human services, animal welfare, or recreation, Innovia has supported a wide range of organizations.
On March 17th, Innovia will host the Thriving Community Summit in Spokane, featuring a speaker who authored 13 Ways to Kill a Community, offering insights on how neglecting certain aspects of a community can harm it. Additionally, from April 14th to 18th, Innovia will host the Live Give 7B Campaign, a local philanthropic initiative that encourages people to donate to local nonprofits and businesses that have supported them. The campaign will culminate in a community celebration at Matchwood Brewing, with a potential event in Priest River as well.
By empowering nonprofits and strengthening community connections, Innovia helps create a sustainable future for local organizations. Through their strategic grants, endowments, and community-building initiatives, they are working to ensure that local causes can continue to thrive for years to come. Whether it's through financial support or guidance on donor relationships, Innovia's approach helps foster a culture of giving and collaboration, making a lasting impact on northern Idaho and beyond.
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