Did you know there are 300 nonprofits in Sandpoint alone, and Bonner County boasts over 500?! That's one nonprofit for every 50 people here, compared to the national average of one for every 170!

Someone recently came into the Community Resource EnVision Center and told us it was “common knowledge that Sandpoint has 140 nonprofits.” While the sentiment was right, they were off by an order of magnitude. We actually have nearly 300 nonprofits in Sandpoint alone, and Bonner County boasts over 500. That's one nonprofit for every 50 people here, which is pretty wild compared to the national average of one for every 170. We know this because we took the time to compile a comprehensive list of all nonprofits operating in the greater Bonner County area. What we found is, we definitely have a diverse array of nonprofit organizations within our community, ranging from those addressing fundamental human needs to those dedicated to environmental and civic endeavors. Predominantly, organizations centered on education, health, and human services occupy the forefront. Interestingly, while animal welfare nonprofits are comparatively scarce in our locality, Sandpoint boasts a total of nine such entities. This prompts the question: what factors contribute to the pronounced prevalence of nonprofit initiatives within our region?



Political Giving: More Than Red vs. Blue

Those who know a little bit about giving trends might point to the general political leanings of this area as reason for the charitable culture. Northern Idaho leans pretty conservative and there is an urban legend in certain circles that, "Conservatives give more per capita." A lot of social science seems to suggest that conservatives do give more per capita than liberals. But here's the twist: having tons of nonprofits doesn't necessarily mean loads of charity cash. Northern Idaho ranks among the top areas for nonprofits relative to population, but the northeast surpasses it in nonprofits per capita by a considerable margin; it's not particularly close. Even though the Northeast has the most nonprofits per capita the Bible belt leads in financial giving. There aren’t as many nonprofits in the Bible belt but financial giving as a percentage of income is higher there than it is in the Northeast. Meanwhile, the West Coast? Those historically progressive areas tend to lead in overall dollars donated to charity. Long story short, the data on giving is way more complicated than just who's red or blue.


The disparity isn't about conservatives being more generous than liberals or vice versa. It's more about how each group approaches giving. Conservatives tend to lean towards supporting churches and religious groups, which is pretty predictable. On the flip side, liberals tend to throw their weight behind secular nonprofits. Overall, when it comes to location, conservatives keep it local, while liberals spread the love on a national scale. Different strokes for different folks.


Four of the top ten most generous counties in terms of per capita, including the number one slot in America, supported Biden. On a per capita basis the most generous county in the country is Teton County, Wyoming. a seriously blue dot in a sea of red. Provo-Orem, Utah, emerges as the top area when considering the percentage of giving relative to income. Again, another blue area in a mostly red state. Both Teton and Provo-Orem have large Mormon populations (as does Idaho) faiths that have cultivated a culture of financial success combined with generosity. But religion isn’t always the driver; Santa Clara County, California, tops the charts for per capita giving, and it's Biden territory too. However, it is geographically split in half between conservative and liberal leaning regions. Rome, Georgia stands out as a national leader in the percentage of income dedicated to giving. A town where Trump won a solid victory (by almost eight points) but is bluer than just about anywhere in Georgia outside of Atlanta. 



Unity in Diversity: How Different Views Build a Stronger Community

Here's the scoop: when you mix up folks from both liberal and conservative backgrounds, you tend to get a generosity cocktail. Chances are, in places where people are super generous individually, you'll find a whole mix of political beliefs. Think areas packed with "blue dog Democrats," "Classical Liberals," or even some "squishy Republicans" – and hey, having a few Mormons around doesn't hurt either when it comes to spreading the giving spirit.


This mix of liberal and conservative is probably at least loosely connected to the high number of nonprofits in Sandpoint and the surrounding area. Sandpoint is the only blue dot on the map north of Coeur D'alene. When you mix bleeding heart liberals with faith-based do-gooders, it's a recipe for nonprofits popping up everywhere – we're talking one for every 50 folks. A culture of giving wears off on everyone no matter what the originator’s motive is. 


Next time you’re grumbling about the political sign in your neighbor’s yard or fretting over the surge in imports just remember diversity, that is diversity of thought does appear to be a strength. It may be that conservatives are more inclined to clothe the homeless while liberals keep the local art scene going. It may be that liberals make sure our local forests stay protected and conservatives run the blood drives.  Either way, our community's got all its bases covered, and that's what counts. Over 500 bases are covered to be exact.


The EnVision Center plays a vital role in our community by serving as a bridge between individuals in crisis and the extensive network of nonprofits available to assist them. In times of need, navigating the myriad of available resources can be overwhelming and daunting. That's where we step in. Our team is dedicated to understanding the unique challenges individuals face and connecting them with the nonprofit(s) best equipped to provide the support they need. Whether it's access to food assistance, shelter, mental health services, or any other essential support, our nonprofit acts as a guiding hand, ensuring that no one falls through the cracks. By streamlining the process and offering personalized assistance, we empower individuals to navigate their challenges with confidence and resilience. In doing so, we not only provide immediate relief but also foster long-term stability and well-being within our community.


Together and across all spectrums, we are not just connecting individuals to nonprofits; we are weaving a safety net of compassion, support, and hope, strengthening the fabric of our community one connection at a time.

Giving Animals a Second Chance in Boundary County

Giving Animals a Second Chance

By Connie Kiehn • April 23, 2025
Founded in 1998 by a passionate group of women, Second Chance Animal Adoption has grown from backyard shelters to a vital community resource in Bonners Ferry. Focused on reuniting lost pets with their families and finding forever homes for abandoned animals, the shelter thrives on community support, thrift store proceeds, and a growing network of foster families. With about 22 animals in care at any given time, Second Chance is currently seeking more foster volunteers and encouraging adoptions—like that of Chance, their sweet and silly yellow Lab. Their upcoming microchip clinic on May 24 at Tractor Supply is another way they're making a difference, ensuring pets can be quickly reunited with their owners.

Love With Our Actions

By Linnis Jellinek • April 6, 2025
​Love in Action Idaho is revolutionizing community support by connecting donors directly with specific needs in Bonner County. Through their online registry, you can choose exactly where your contribution goes, ensuring 100% of your donation aids those facing challenges. Discover how you can make a tangible difference today at Love in Action Idaho's website.

Strength in Inclusion

By Linnis Jellinek • March 27, 2025
When Kelli Bult couldn’t find a fitness space that welcomed her son Caleb—born 10 weeks premature with unique physical and cognitive needs—she created one. What began as a personal journey turned into a powerful nonprofit: The Unique Center for Athletes of All Needs (UCAN). UCAN is not your average gym. It’s a community-driven, adaptive fitness center that empowers individuals of all abilities to move, grow, and thrive together. From padded play structures and wheelchair-accessible equipment to inclusive classes and tiered pricing, UCAN is redefining what accessibility looks like in the fitness world—and beyond. 💪 Fitness meets inclusion 💡 Innovation meets compassion ❤️ A nonprofit model that lifts everyone Learn how this mom turned a challenge into a movement, and how your support can help UCAN grow even stronger.
7B Care Clinic - More Than Ultrasounds

More Than Ultrasounds

By Linnis Jellinek • March 11, 2025
When you think of pregnancy resource centers, you might picture a place for those in crisis—but 7B Care Clinic is so much more. From free ultrasounds and parenting education to mentoring programs for fathers and financial coaching, they provide long-term support for families in all situations.

A Firm Foundation

By Linnis Jellinek • March 4, 2025
Since 1974, Innovia has been a powerful force for philanthropy, helping communities thrive through strategic grants, donor support, and nonprofit sustainability initiatives. As a large community foundation, with $200 million in assets and $124 million in grants awarded, Innovia plays a critical role in supporting organizations across Bonner and Boundary counties. Through endowments, coaching, and fundraising initiatives, Innovia helps nonprofits become more sustainable and less reliant on unpredictable grant cycles. With programs like the Thriving Community Summit on March 17th and the Live Give 7B Campaign (April 14-18), Innovia continues to foster collaboration, financial stability, and community-driven philanthropy. Learn how Innovia is making an impact in North Idaho and how you can get involved! 📅 Thriving Community Summit – March 17th, Spokane 📅 Live Give 7B Campaign – April 14-18, ending with a celebration at Matchwood Brewing
Senior advocacy and the importance of community support for aging populations in Bonner County

Honoring Paul Graves and the Future of the Geezer Forum

February 19, 2025
Aging comes with unique challenges, but it also presents an opportunity to share wisdom and build stronger communities. In our latest blog, we sit down with Paul Graves, founder of the Geezer Forum and Elder Advocates, along with Lisa Bond from the Sandpoint Senior Center, to discuss the importance of community support for seniors. With 30% of Bonner County’s population over 65 and issues like healthcare, transportation, and financial security being top concerns, we explore how initiatives like the Geezer Forum Podcast will preserve stories, provide resources, and strengthen intergenerational connections. Read on to learn how we’re ensuring that aging in Bonner County means aging with dignity and support.
Chrystle Horvath, Executive Director of Bonner Community Housing Agency, discussing the urgent need

Helping Through Housing

By Linnis Jellinek • February 18, 2025
Affordable housing is a critical issue in Bonner County, and over 300 families are currently on the Bonner Community Housing Agency (BCHA) waiting list. In our latest blog, we sit down with Chrystle Horvath, Executive Director of BCHA, to discuss her journey into housing advocacy, the growing need for affordable homes, and how BCHA is working to provide secure housing for essential workers like nurses, teachers, and first responders. With an ambitious goal of 100 new affordable homes in the next five years, BCHA is making a lasting impact—but they need community support to make it happen. Read more to learn how you can help!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Digital Navigator

By Linnis Jellinek • February 8, 2025
Your Friendly Neighborhood Digital Navigator Quantifying what our Digital Navigator, Chris Watson, brings to the EnVision Center can be a little tricky. Not because it is especially complex but because there is such a wide variety of tasks and talents he employs here to help clients. We are very fortunate to have access to these skills through his placement with us via AmeriCorps . To understand Chris's role, it helps to first understand what AmeriCorps does. As Chris explains, the best way to think of AmeriCorps is as a domestic counterpart to the Peace Corps—while the Peace Corps focuses on international aid, AmeriCorps addresses pressing issues within the U.S. like hunger, disaster relief, and illiteracy. Chris is part of the American Connection Corps (ACC), a program within AmeriCorps dedicated to closing the digital divide. ACC focuses on providing broadband access and promoting digital literacy, particularly in rural areas. By improving connectivity, the goal is to foster economic development in underserved communities. Chris’s term of service is one year, with the possibility of renewing it for up to four years. A key idea behind the ACC is that long-term success comes from training local community members, who already understand the culture and have built trust, rather than bringing in outsiders. Chris is a great fit for this model, as he split his childhood between Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene, giving him deep roots in the area. Ironically, Chris didn’t even know what a Digital Navigator was when he first applied. “Construction is very physical, and my body was breaking down, so I was looking for a change. I saw the AmeriCorps ad on Indeed and applied on a whim,” Chris recalls. It turns out that Chris’s role as a Digital Navigator has become a dream job—one he doesn’t want to leave. Digital Navigators come from all walks of life, and the most important qualification isn’t a tech background, but the ability to connect with the community. In exchange for their service, navigators receive a stipend, service hours, and an education award or scholarship. Host sites like the EnVision Center provide mentorship, but other organizations, such as universities and libraries, can also serve as hosts. Chris has been with the EnVision Center for just over a quarter, and much of his client base comes from word of mouth. He offers both phone and in-person assistance and hosts educational sessions on a range of topics, from using Google Workspace to understanding cybersecurity. Chris also helps clients recognize and protect themselves from phishing scams and identity theft. While his typical clients tend to be older adults, he’s found that even younger people often need help navigating desktop computers and maximizing software capabilities, despite being proficient with phones or tablets. While assisting with technology, Chris also keeps an eye out for broader ways the EnVision Center can serve clients who come to him for help. “I try to make a personal connection with people because they’re people first,” says Chris. “I’m here to help, whether it’s with a technology issue or something deeper. It’s about serving the community and giving back. This is my job, and that’s what I do—serve clients.” At the EnVision center, Chris helped us set up our reader board and get our podcast on Spotify. He has also been instrumental in assisting with grant writing for the EnVision Center, and his contributions extend far beyond just digital support. We are incredibly grateful for Chris’s dedication, and with his continued support, we look forward to expanding our impact and serving even more members of our community. 

Shelter Meets Salvation at Bonner Gospel Mission

By Linnis Jellinek • January 28, 2025
Bonner Gospel Mission (BGM) has been a cornerstone of service in Bonner County for decades, operating out of Ponderay. While most locals are familiar with its location and purpose, there are still some misconceptions, and it's easy to overlook the profound impact BGM makes in the community. Bonner Gospel Mission is not simply a shelter for men, they are a ministry first that exists to see God move in the lives of the men that come through their doors. The organization's core belief is that once men hear the gospel their lives will begin to change and soon they won’t need the support BGM offers. While food, shelter, and support for next steps are important, they are secondary to the primary goal of sharing the gospel and helping men grow spiritually. “We really look at ourselves more as a Ministry than a homeless shelter,” explains Executive Director Lucas Sheetz. “We're completely independent, we're not tied directly to any other larger organization or any church, it's just our own independent Ministry that gets supported by businesses, individuals and churches in the area so we have a different vision statement than maybe some other homeless shelters people know about.” While the gospel is at the heart of their work, BGM also provides essential services, including shelter, clothing, showers, and companionship. The shelter typically hosts about ten men at a time, providing three meals a day and helping them acquire basic necessities. Residents are expected to contribute to the upkeep of the facility and adhere to a code of conduct, which includes rules like no alcohol or drugs, respectful language, and mandatory Bible study and church attendance. On average, men stay for about 30 days, though BGM tailors support to each individual’s needs. They work with residents on a case-by-case basis, offering flexibility for those saving up for rent or needing more time to transition. BGM also partners with the EnVision Center to connect clients with job opportunities and training. One of the key differences between BGM and typical shelters is their lack of a waitlist. They operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with immediate placements available after an interview with Lucas, if it’s a good fit. Lucas Sheetz, who became BGM’s Executive Director in May 2024, has an unconventional path to the role. Formerly an independent landscaping and construction contractor, Lucas felt a calling from God that shifted his direction dramatically. “God woke me up in the middle of the night and said there was more he had in store for me,” Lucas recalls. “I didn’t know what it was, but I said I’d go wherever he led me.” His story resonated with the board, and soon after, Lucas was in training for the role. Now, with just one other paid employee, BGM relies heavily on volunteers and donors. The mission depends on donations for everything, from food to clothing. Community members are encouraged to bring homemade meals to the shelter, and the mission can always use frozen meals like casseroles and pastas for later use. Volunteers also help lead Bible studies, worship music, and provide transportation to church. The mission’s occasional free community dinners require upwards of 40 volunteers to run. Bonner Gospel Mission is a beacon of transformation in Bonner County, offering more than just shelter, but a genuine ministry focused on changing lives through the gospel. By providing not only basic necessities but also spiritual guidance, BGM helps men find purpose and direction as they rebuild their lives. With the ongoing support from local donors and volunteers, Bonner Gospel Mission continues to fulfill its mission with unwavering dedication. Their work reminds us all that profound change comes through faith, community, and the willingness to help others walk the path toward a brighter future.

Women In Nonprofits

By Linnis Jellinek • January 20, 2025
At the Community Resource EnVision Center, we work with a lot of women. It feels like most of our volunteers are women, and for a long time, our board was predominantly made up of women. Men represent less than a third of the attendees at our executive director co-labs. So we got curious and decided to look into it: are women as overrepresented in nonprofit work as it feels like they are? Quantifying engagement in nonprofit work is tricky. Many nonprofits don’t track who volunteers or participates on a consistent basis throughout the year. It’s not like anyone is keeping detailed records on who is chaperoning field trips or volunteering for church events. If we had access to these numbers, they would likely tell an interesting story, but they’re nearly impossible to obtain. Instead, we took a look at female involvement through the lens of board membership and paid staff positions. In Bonner and Boundary counties, nonprofits with accessible leadership data report that 58% of workers or volunteers are women. When you dig further you discover women have long been at the heart of change in our communities. In 1985, it was three women who saved the Historic Panida Theater , a beloved landmark in Sandpoint. A woman behind the creation of Lost in the '50s , now a mainstay event in Sandpoint. Two women, who in 1979 formed the Community Assistance League simply because “the town had very little for women to do, and a lot of areas in need of improvement.” Women who changed the education landscape in this area and founded hospitals. And it was the untimely death of Sandpoint resident Kathy Pelland, known for the way she selflessly gave to so many around her that inspired the formation of Angels Over Sandpoint which since 1997 has raised over $1.5 million for locals in need. In more recent years, women have continued to lead transformative projects. Katie Cox led the charge to save Sled Hill as the Executive Director of Kaniksu Land Trust. Karin Wedemeyer founded the Sandpoint Music Conservatory , nurturing local talent and creativity. Lois Renk Wythe was the inspiration and the driving force behind the creation of the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society and North Idaho Native Plant Arboretum . And in 2016, 101 Women was formed, giving away two $10,000 gifts each year to support needy causes and organizations in the area. Northern Idaho stands out in its nonprofit landscape. A higher percentage of women hold leadership roles compared to general staff, suggesting that women are more likely than men to pursue or be nominated for leadership positions here. Women in Northern Idaho aren’t just leading—they’re transforming our community. From saving historic landmarks to nurturing our arts, culture, and environment, women are leaving their mark in every corner of our region. This is a testament to the unique local culture that makes our nonprofit sector thrive. Feeling inspired to make a change? Visit us at crecidaho.com/volunteer to learn how you can plug into our community. Or click on the logo below to get more information on these women led nonprofits!