News Briefs
March 2021 News Brief
2021 WRWF Grant Finalists
Remember to Vote!
The 2021 WRWF Grants Ballot was emailed to members on March 3, who will have until March 26 to complete voting. Members also received important information to help educate themselves about choices for both the 2021 pooled grants and the area of need for the new Focus Grant 2022.
Every applicant on our ballot has been thoroughly reviewed, vetted and advanced by dozens of members of the Grants Committee. Follow this link for ballot summaries. Given social distancing requirements, we were unable to have our usual live presentation by the Executive Directors of the nonprofit finalists. Instead, presentations were live-streamed via Zoom on March 3. You may view a recording of these presentations here.
This year’s ballot includes another voting opportunity. On Part B of the ballot, voters will be asked to rank three areas of need for our new Focus Grant 2022. The area of need that receives the highest ranking will become the focus or “theme” of this new grant initiative. Applications for Focus Grant 2022 will be solicited in the fall of 2021, and voting will be a part of the 2022 ballot. The three areas of need for ranking are (in no particular order):
Building an Inclusive and Equitable Community
Closing the Opportunity Gap in Education
Bolstering Mental Health Assistance and Addiction Prevention Programs
Here are a few places to visit for additional information on the Focus Grant 2022:
Visit the new Focus Grant 2022 page on the WRWF website for details about the options.
Visit the FAQ’s tab on the WRWF website for answers to your questions about the Focus Grant 2022.
Click here to view Louisa Moats’s informative video about the Focus Grant 2022.
Please keep checking the Calendar of Events found on the WRWF website for new and important information.
To the many members who have volunteered their time to bring this ballot to our membership—THANK YOU! To the members who have already voted, THANK YOU! Your commitment ensures WRWF continues to support the many needs in Blaine County.
Statement of Solidarity with Asian American Communities
“Do the best you can until you know better.
Then when you know better, do better.” — Maya Angelou
WRWF stands in support of Philanos’ outreach to all affiliates and their members today. Please see the statement of solidarity and the list of Anti-Asian hate resources Philanos will be adding to their website.
Introducing New WRWF Board Members
LeeAnne Linderman
LeeAnne and her fly-fisherman husband Chris discovered Sun Valley while attending her first banking convention in 1994. They decided right then that the Wood River Valley would eventually be their home and as soon as she retired, they moved from being part-timers to full-timers. LeeAnne had a 30-plus year career as a banking executive reaching national prominence for her work in the industry, community, and on behalf of elevating women and minorities to leadership roles.
As a founding member of United Way of Salt Lake’s Women United, one of the first women’s collective giving groups within United Way, LeeAnne is a champion for women’s philanthropy. Her experiences and passions align tightly with WRWF’s mission and we are thrilled to welcome her.
Jenni Riley
Jenni Riley has always sought career and volunteer paths that align with her charitable values. With more than twenty years of operations and relationship management experience with corporations and nonprofits, Jennie has found that giving back through volunteerism allows her to invest in community projects that allow her to feel part of something significant.
Jenni is currently working on a Master of Business Administration, which she hopes to complete in March of 2021. She also writes newspaper, magazine, and blog articles about personal finance. We warmly welcome Jenni as a WRWF Board Member.
February Future Forward Coffee Talk
Future Forward members celebrate new friendships
The Wood River Women’s Foundation introduced Future Forward membership in January of 2021, which is designed for women fifty years and younger. WRWF member, Summer Bauer, who is the Future Forward liaison, organized a Coffee Talk for new members, which was held on Tuesday, February 16 at the Konditorei at Sun Valley Village.
WRWF Board Member, Carrie Morrow, provided a brief overview of the Grants voting process, which will conclude on March 26. Because these new members will be voting for the first time, they were happy to hear more about the process.
At the conclusion of the Coffee Talk, new member Tamar Dolgen, talked about her professional experience and about joining the Communications Committee. She encouraged everyone to consider attending a committee meeting and learning more about committee opportunities.
Welcoming New 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!
Kim Havens
Kim Havens has been living in the Wood River Valley for nearly five years. Her mother-in-law, Lynne Heidel, introduced her to the WRWF. She loves skiing and hiking with her husband, two daughters, and her “crazy” dog.
Kim’s professional background is in commercial real estate development. Three years ago, she co-founded Kahilla, a B2B digital learning and development platform, which provides community, content, and coaching for women.
Heather Kovich
Sun Valley’s great skiing originally brought Heather Kovich and her husband to the Wood River Valley. He had been coming here since he was a child and after a few trips to Sun Valley as a couple, she convinced him to move here. They have now lived in the Wood River Valley for two years. When Heather heard about WRWF’s new Future Forward membership, she was excited to join.
Heather’s professional background in veterinary medicine led to her interest in learning more about animal conservation in the Valley, and how she can make a difference. Heather is also interested in hiking, baking—and learning to ski.
Deb Bolner Prost
Deb Bolner Prost has been coming to the Wood River Valley for the past five years. The Valley’s peacefulness and its many year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, cycling, fishing, and sky-watching, became more and more appealing, resulting in her decision to move here last summer.
Deb, who is a marketing and management consultant, has been very active in nonprofits in Texas. She values giving back to communities while working to improve them. Deb looks forward to getting involved with the WRWF.
Pamela Sandine
Pamela Sandine has been coming to the Wood River Valley the past three summers and last fall purchased a condo in Elkhorn Springs. She first came to Sun Valley as a child to ski with her family, traveling on the Union Pacific. Pamela has never forgotten what a magical place this is. In her spare time, she enjoys golf, hiking, travel, music, and theater.
Born and raised in Chicago, Pamela’s professional career was in Investment Management. She “retired” to Palm Beach County, Florida, where she is involved in collective giving. Pamela is pleased to be a member of the WRWF and to help create positive change in our community.
Sun Valley Culinary Institute Happenings
Setting the table at the Sun Valley Culinary Institute (photo credit: Karen Bossick)
The Sun Valley Culinary Institute recently hosted an open house for prospective students and their parents. Interested students were also encouraged to participate in a cooking competition to potentially win an Institute scholarship. The Sun Valley Culinary Institute was a recipient of a WRWF grant in 2020. Read Eye on Sun Valley’s story about the open house and cooking competition here.
WRWF President’s Closing Message
WRWF President, Terri Bullock
There is something wonderfully symbolic about Daylight Savings Time; it represents a moment when we get to reset our winter clocks and move toward longer days and an accompanying feeling of rebirth. As the snow begins to melt, we put aside our snowshoes in favor of hiking. The freshness in the air, accompanied by a warmth upon the skin, reignites our hopes of being with family and friends, as more of us become vaccinated against COVID-19. It is truly healing to know that no matter how upending our past year has been, we can finally see the light as we emerge from the challenges of pandemic isolation.
This is the time of year when I traditionally declutter my house as well as my mind. I think about what matters most and what brings me the greatest joy. Then I allow myself the gift of letting go of everything else, without feeling guilty.
This month, I have found joy in listening to many grant applicants tell their stories of how they hope to use WRWF pooled grant dollars to serve the community. I know that casting my vote as a WRWF member matters, and I love doing the homework necessary to vote with my heart and my head. I find immense joy in knowing that our foundation makes such a significant impact across our entire county, and hearing comments from the nonprofits about how we helped sustain them, not just through the challenges of COVID, but over these past sixteen years.
I hope that you also find immense joy in knowing that as a collective giving organization, WRWF is a necessary, much appreciated resource in our Valley. As we move from winter to spring, I hope that you live life with intention and find the abundance of joy all around you.
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.
