News Briefs
June 2021 News Brief
Photo courtesy of The Alliance of Idaho
Grantee Spotlight: The Alliance of Idaho
Becky Lopez, The Alliance of Idaho
Please join us for an open house and presentation on June 30 from 4:30-6:00 PM at the Alliance’s new headquarters at the Hunger Coalition in Bellevue. Outgoing Executive Director Sarah Sentilles will share exciting new developments at The Alliance—specifically that Becky Lopez will be our new Executive Director starting in July!
The Alliance of Idaho is a grassroots organization that protects the human rights of immigrants and their families. Our leadership must be representative of the populations we serve. This is a big step for The Alliance—and for the Wood River Valley and the communities we work with, listen to, and advocate for.
At the open house, there will be presentations by incoming Executive Director Becky Lopez, Alliance attorney Sam Linnet, and immigration expert and attorney Luis Campos. Bring questions! Bring a mask! Bring friends who might like to learn more about what we do and how to support our work!
Thank you for all you do to make our community more safe, just, and life-giving for all. Thank you for supporting The Alliance. We could not do this work without you. ~ The Alliance of Idaho
WRWF granted The Alliance of Idaho $25,000 in 2021, to support a contract for legal services to provide high quality and ethical legal support and services for The Alliance and its clients.
Grantee Spotlight: Blaine County Charitable Fund
Blaine County Charitable Fund (BCCF) was founded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, when the Wood River Valley and Blaine County as a whole was hit with the COVID-19 virus.
Although the pandemic created a community-wide crisis, it ultimately exposed the vulnerability of many within our community to this or any future life crisis. BCCF seeks to provide impactful grants to Blaine County families in immediate need of assistance with household expenses. These needs may include health insurance premiums, medication, rent, car insurance, or other expenses. WRWF granted $25,000 to BCCF’s Emergency Assistance Grant Program.
WRWF’s Annual Meeting at Trail Creek is Back!
Annual Meeting at Trail Creek in 2019
We are thrilled to invite you to “Hats Off!,” the 2021 Wood River Women’s Foundation Annual Meeting and Celebration of Grantees on August 4 under the tent at Trail Creek! While returning to our yearly luncheon is an occasion for celebration in and of itself, we particularly look forward to honoring the newly-named 2021 grantees in person. This year’s “Hats Off!” theme is a tribute to the impressive work our non-profit partners have accomplished despite operating through a pandemic.
“Hats Off!”
Wood River Women’s Foundation
Annual Meeting and Celebration of 2021 Grantees
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Reception at 11:00 AM; Luncheon at 12:00 PM
Trail Creek Cabin, Sun Valley Resort
Featured Grantee Speaker: Teresa Beahen Lipman, Executive Director, The Senior Connection
Teresa Beahen Lipman
Special notes for 2021:
- Given our national membership, we will be following CDC guidelines: vaccinated adults may be mask-free outdoors; if you are unvaccinated, please wear a mask if social distancing is not possible. We will abide by whatever the revised guidelines may be in August.
- Due to staffing constraints, Sun Valley Company is limiting our event to 200 people. Because of this, the luncheon will be for members only. We hope to include guests next year.
- Event cost is $60 per person. If you are paying online you will incur a $2 credit card fee for a total of $62.
Your payment will be your confirmation of in-person attendance. To register online, click here. You may also send a check to: WRWF, P.O. Box 3686, Ketchum, ID 83340. Register early to ensure your seat!
All members, including those unable to attend, will receive information necessary to vote on the Annual Meeting components of the luncheon, including the slate of officers, board terms, financials and more. Check your email regularly.
“Hats Off!” to all who have powered through this past, challenging year to continue delivering the WRWF mission! We hope you’ll be joining the festivities. There is much to celebrate!
Hunger Coalition Paint Party
Mural by Rafael Blanco (Photo courtesy of Karen Bossick)
The Hunger Coalition recently hosted a street paint party for the public, featuring muralists ARCY, Rafael Blanco, Key Detail, Amanda Lynn and Christopher Fonseca. Murals painted by the invited artists now grace the walls of the new Bloom Community Food Center.
Bloom Community Center volunteers (photo courtesy of The Hunger Coalition)
WRWF granted The Hunger Coalition $25,000 in 2020 and $35,000 in 2019. Read Eye on Sun Valley’s story about the event here. Krista Fenton, Development Director at the Hunger Coalition, recently gave the WRWF a big shout out for its support in the Idaho Mountain Express. Read that story here. We are honored to support the Hunger Coalition’s important work in the valley!
Recap of BCRD/WRWF Partnership in Action
WRWF members enjoy tour of the revitalized BCRD Aquatic Center
On Monday, May 21, over twenty members gathered at the Quigley Trails Park for a tour hosted by Mark Davidson, Executive Director of the Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD), Eric Rector, Trail’s Manager, and Development Director, Morgan Buchert.
Under beautiful, sunny skies, members watched as bike riders tackled jumps, curves, and banks of the paved bike park. The park had significant input by top designers in the world, who because of COVID restrictions, had time to help create this world-class terrain for local biking enthusiasts.
WRWF funded $25,000 this year for improvements to the Quigley Trail’s parking lot, landscaping, and fencing.
WRWF members then moved over to the BCRD Aquatic Center, which received $60,000 in past grants to help revitalize its aging facility. The improvements include a zero-entry pool, lap lanes, landscaping, patio improvements, and even a large tube for log rolling.
Members socialized with each other and BCRD staff, while enjoying refreshments provided by the Membership team. It was a perfect day to kick off the start of the summer in the Wood River Valley!
Upcoming Event: June Meet and Mingle
Please join us at the Ram Bar at the Sun Valley Village on Thursday, June 24, from 5-6:30 PM. There will be a no-host bar plus light refreshments.
Guests are welcome! It is an opportunity to get reacquainted with each other and hear updates on all things happening in the foundation.
No RSVP is necessary; just show up and enjoy some long-awaited philanthropic comradery!
Focus Grant Planning Moves Forward
We are very excited to be moving forward with our pilot Focus Grant, which will be awarded in spring of 2022. The grant, as determined by membership vote, will focus on closing the equity gap in education. Detailed instructions, timelines, grant criteria and sample applications for interested nonprofits will be posted on the WRWF website on July 1. An open information session for members who wish to learn more about the need for and intent of the grant is tentatively scheduled for August 25. An optional information session for potential nonprofit grantees will be held on September 1. The Focus Grant committee is currently being formed, and will work with the Grants co-chairs to review proposals, conduct site visits, and make recommendations to the membership, who will have the final vote on which proposal is funded. The Grants co-chairs are looking for members with expertise in education who may be interested in serving on the Focus Grant subcommittee. If interested, please contact Kit Wright at kitsstudio@gmail.com.
The Graybird Foundation has concluded the interview stage of stakeholder research for the WRWF. We are thrilled to have spoken with 105 people, including the WRWF Board, founding members and past presidents, active members, influencers and nonprofit leaders. Data analysis is currently being conducted. If anyone is still interested in participating in the survey, please contact Renee Spooner at renee@graybirdfoundation.org and Graybird will arrange an interview.
Annual Report Update
We are excited to announce that the WRWF is working on its first ever annual report, which will be distributed electronically to members. An Annual Report Committee is hard at work compiling items to be included in the report, including information about our fifteen years of growth as well as details about the current year. The costs of this report are being completely underwritten by a generous donor. Watch your emails for updates.
Save the Date: July Meet and Mingle
Mark your calendars now for a July 22 Meet and Mingle at the Senior Connection in Hailey. Check your email for forthcoming details.
A Warm Welcome to New WRWF Members
New members of the WRWF are invited to provide photos and a bit of information about themselves to share in the News Brief. We are delighted to welcome all new members whether they elect to participate or not. A warm WRWF welcome to all who joined this month!
A Big Welcome to These New Members!
Shanna Angel – Hailey
Monica Smith – Ketchum
Peggy Walker Thompkins – Sun Valley
Online Membership Form
New and renewing members of the WRWF may now use our convenient online form to complete the membership process. Simply click on this link and fill out the form. You may submit your payment by credit card or check. If paying by check, make payable to the Wood River Women’s Foundation and mail to: WRWF, P.O. Box 3686, Ketchum, Idaho, 83340.
WRWF President’s Closing Message
WRWF President, Terri Bullock
I recently read a book where the main character was sitting on a beach as the waves ebbed and flowed. Digging her feet into the sand, she watched as the waves flowed over her feet, taking the sand with it as the water receded back to the ocean.
COVID-19 also produced a kind of ebb and flow in our relationships, as social distancing and isolation stretched beyond a year, and the WRWF maneuvered to continue its important work of fulfilling the foundation’s mission. Although the means by which we completed that work looked and felt different, we never veered off course.
Our mission keeps us grounded and centered on our goals. The rhythmic ebb and flow allows us to do our work in new ways, to think creatively about our next fifteen years and how we might further evolve to build stronger community partnerships. During the past year, we experienced moments of stagnation, as we worked through metaphorical tidal waves and undertows, including how to conduct ourselves during Zoom meetings, how to connect with grantees virtually, and how to conduct site visits. However, we got the work done with as much expertise as if COVID hadn’t happened.
We are now beginning to flow towards social connectedness, which is the foundation of our organization. Our board is making plans to get back into the boardroom and do work in person around a table. Our Membership Committee is planning grantee visits and tours, and this August we will hold our Annual Meeting and 2021 Grantee Celebration in person, under the tent at Trail Creek.
During the past year, I have found a sense of strength and resilience at helping lead the WRWF during this most challenging of years. I look forward to the ebb and flow of COVID, and a full return to supporting our mission.
Until next month,
Terri Bullock
Many thanks to members who have designated WRWF as their selected charity on AmazonSmile! To link Wood River Women’s Foundation AmazonSmile to your Amazon account, click here and get signed up. Then, whenever you shop Amazon, use the AmazonSmile website.
