October 2017 Newsletter

Meet Our New President Peggy Grove!

 

The new Grant cycle for 2018 is underway, although it seems like only yesterday that we were giving our 2017 grant recipients their checks!

The invitations to submit an application for a grant have been sent out to the non-profits in the community and press releases have been posted in our local newspapers and on social media. Next, the Application Review Committee (ARC) will vet the applications, due November 13th. The ARC will examine all of the applications and narrow the field to those that best align with our granting criteria.

In January and February, the Grant committee volunteers and their teams will further discuss the applications, perform site visits with the non-profits and narrow the applicant pool once again. All of this work will culminate in the final grant presentations to our entire membership on March 6th at the Community Library. Please note that this year, for the first time, the presentations meeting will be at the Library, NOT at Light on the Mountains. This change was prompted by the parking difficulties we experienced in last year’s very snowy winter. Once again the presentations will be live-streamed and archived for future viewing on-line.

A big thank you to all of the volunteers who will be taking their time to participate in this process!

–Gina Wolcott, Grants Co- Chair, WRWF Board

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2017 Grantee in the Spotlight: Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center, $25,000

Swiftsure’s equine-facilitated activities provide indispensable therapy and learning experiences to members of our community. Its programs are in high demand, but Swiftsure’s specialized horses are a precious resource and often limit the number of participants who can be accommodated. The WRWF grant of $25,000 enabled Swiftsure to buy four new horses, increasing program capacity by twenty lessons per week and allowing horses additional training and crucial down time. The WRWF grant moved eager students from the wait list into the program and it advanced Swiftsure’s mission to offer its services at no charge to the rider. We are grateful for your help!

–Meg Stamper, Executive Director, Swiftsure Ranch

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2017 Grantee in the Spotlight: Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, $25,000 for Domestic Violence Housing First

The grant from the WRWF for The Advocates’ Domestic Violence Housing First project save lives and has a significant impact on breaking the cycle of violence by giving victims of abuse a choice – the choice to leave abusive relationships. Grant funds provide flexible financial assistance to facilitate access to or retention of stable housing for survivors of relationship violence and/or sexual assault. The majority of requests are for housing related costs such as rent and utilities but funds are also used for child care and housing applications. The grant will assist at least 115 adults’ and 85 children’s efforts to build safe lives over the next year.

–Tricia Swartling, CEO, The Advocates

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Endowment News: Susie King Leads the Way with a Legacy Gift

 

 

Susie King said to herself, “It’s time to realize that I’m a grown-up.” That meant facing being in her 70’s and evaluating how she wanted part of her estate to be used at the end of her life. As a member of the WRWF for four years, and a resident of the valley for 40 years, she named the WRWF as a future beneficiary of a Charitable Remainder Trust. Why? Because she is confidant that the organization will endure and she values the broad and varied ways that our grants benefit the community. Over the long term, she feels that a gift to WRWF represents the “highest and best use” of her resources long into the future.

We encourage others to follow Susie’s lead!

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New Member Brunch and Orientation

Nancie Tatum hosted a very successful New Member Orientation Brunch on October 5th for about 70 current members, new members, and guests. Our guest speaker, Brian Bean from the Lava Lake Institute for Science and Conservation, described the impact of one of our 2017 grants — the non-lethal wolf controls that have reduced livestock predation in the Wood River Valley. This project is nationally recognized as a trend-setting intervention that will be replicated elsewhere. Thank you to the membership committee for organizing such a worthwhile event!

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Brief Notes

• Dozens of WRWF members came out to show their love and support for The Senior Connection at their annual Cocktails for a Cause. The event raised over $100,000. The Senior Connection received a grant from WRWF this year for $25,000 to help provide accessible and affordable transportation for seniors in Blaine County.
• Membership is now at 341! We have gained 66 new members this year!
• Ten years ago, in 2007, we had 100 members and sent out the newsletter on paper in the mail. Times have changed!
• Membership renewals for the coming year will be due on December 15th. Your generous membership renewal is what allows us to fund our grants each year. Don’t delay; download the renewal form by clicking here and by sending a check to the WRWF, P.O. Box 3686, Ketchum, Idaho 83340.

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Closing Message from Peggy Grove, Ph.D., President of WRWF

How fulfilling to attend a fund raising event surrounded by the magnificent art and soaring ceilings of the gallery at Gail Severn’s, who is also one of our members, and to unexpectedly see more than ten Wood River Women’s Foundation volunteers serving wine and hors d’oeuvres and acting as hosts for the attendees. It was for one of our grantees, the Senior Connection, an organization that received a grant from WRWF this year in order to help provide transportation for seniors in Blaine County. There were dozens more members in the audience that night, there to show their support.

Everywhere I look, at every event I attend, at every non-profit occasion in the community, there are WRWF women in attendance, helping in every way they can to make this a better place to live. Thank you for your participation and showing you care. Continue to mark your calendars to attend every non-profit event and fund-raiser available. Your presence shows to all of these grantees they are an important part of our legacy.

And speaking of legacy, be sure to read the article about our first Legacy Donor, Susie King. She has made the WRWF Endowment Fund a future beneficiary. Our Endowment Fund is growing exponentially. If you join in 2017 you are considered part of our Endowment Fund Founder’s Circle. There are many ways to give. And if you are so inclined, follow in Susie’s footsteps to become a Legacy Donor.

Peggy Grove, Ph.D.
WRWF President