Wood River Women’s Foundation gives to 11 Nonprofits

April 10, 2019 – Idaho Mountain Express by Alejandra Buitrago

Women’s Group Picks Grant Recipients

The Wood River Women’s Foundation has announced its 2019 grant recipients—11 local nonprofit organizations that will be awarded a total of $267,918 in funding for specific projects or programs. “The announcement of our new grant recipients is always the highlight of our mission each year,” foundation President Peggy Grove said. The organization stated that this year’s grants “support local youth and families through academic, food-security, mental health and outdoor education programs.” The 11 nonprofits include the Blaine County Education Foundation ($35,000 for programs and growth), Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley ($35,000 to improve its offices), NAMI-Wood River Valley ($23,448 for contractual staff costs), The Hunger Coalition, Blaine County Recreation District ($35,000 for the Aquatic Center), the Environmental Resource Center ($2,575 for youth education), The Advocates—Safe Housing First program, Men’s Second Chance Living ($20,000 for startup and renovation costs), St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation ($15,000 for compassionate care), Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children ($11,895 for its pre-K program), and Idaho Base Camp. The Hunger Coalition is being awarded $35,000 for its Bloom Youth Project, which will provide paid internships for 10 food-insecure teens living in Blaine County. According to foundation, they will work at the community farm and learn about growing and cooking food, as well as gain life skills and work experience. Idaho Base Camp will receive $20,000 for funding toward an after-school program for Bellevue and Alturas third- through fifth-grade students. The funding will provide scholarships and compensation for a lead educator. The program will include transportation from school. The Advocates will receive $35,000 to provide “transitional safe housing for survivors of domestic violence, their children and their pets, incorporating a comprehensive program to help them achieve independence.” The grant helps provide furnishings and fixtures for a transitional housing service center and 12 new apartments. The mission of the Wood River Women’s Foundation is to inspire and educate women “to become leaders in philanthropy, and to bring significant, positive change to the community by pooling and distributing its members’ resources,” the foundation’s website states. Founded in 2005, the foundation has grown from 27 founders to 370 members today, with each member contributing $1,000 annually. Those contributions may go entirely to the Pooled Grant Fund and enable the foundation to give grants of up to $35,000 each year to nonprofits in the valley. Link to article