North Idaho agencies receive more in grants
Schools, hospitals, civic groups and nonprofit agencies throughout North Idaho have been awarded more than $180,000 in grants through the Idaho Community Foundation, an official announced this week.
The gifts offered to 65 agencies or projects in 10 North Idaho counties represented a 3 percent increase over last year’s levels, one more sign of increased attention to the region, said Cathy Silak, president and CEO of the Boise-based foundation.
“We are really trying to increase our presence in North Idaho,” said Silak, who was in Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday as part of a funding tour. “I think we’re well-known, but because Idaho is such a large state, it’s good to get out to the communities we serve.”
More than 160 groups requested grants during the foundation’s competitive cycle for the northern region, Silak said. Awards ranged from $420 for a class set of synonym-finding tools at Mullan Trail Elementary School in Post Falls to several $5,000 projects, including money for a fifth-grade musical outreach program through the Festival in Sandpoint.
Local funds were allocated by the North Idaho Regional Advisory Panel, a volunteer group of elected officials, residents and others, Silak said.
“It’s the wealth of community information that these grant-makers possess that makes (the allocations) possible,” Silak said.
Grants target a range of needs. Highlights for the five northernmost Idaho counties include the following awards:
“Benewah: Benewah Community Hospital received $2,500 to buy a baby warmer and infant resuscitation system; Hospice of Benewah County received $1,000 to buy wheelchairs and equipment.
“Bonner: The Hope-Clark Fork-Trestle Creek Chamber of Commerce received $2,000 to buy playground equipment. The Bonner County Partners in Care Clinic received $2,000 to expand a diabetic management program.
“Boundary: The Boundary County 4-H Club received nearly $5,000 to continue after-school programming, while Boundary County received nearly $2,500 to install accessible walkways and lighting at the fairgrounds.
“Kootenai: The Association for Handicapped Recreation received $2,500 for camp fees and transportation for developmentally disabled children. The Consolidated Free Library District got $3,250 to provide books to students enrolled in summer school.
“Shoshone: The Shoshone Community Health Clinic received $4,000 to buy six months’ worth of medicines for patients. The city of Wallace received $2,000 to complete a phase of the restoration of the Wallace swimming pool.