Forever Idaho Grant - Southwestern and South Central regions

The Forever Idaho Regional Grant Program is an initiative of the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF), a private philanthropic organization dedicated to community-driven philanthropy across the state of Idaho. This program is made possible through the generosity of donors who have entrusted ICF with the flexibility to address the evolving needs of communities and nonprofits. The program represents ICF’s commitment to meeting the dynamic and diverse challenges facing Idaho’s residents, ensuring that local voices and priorities are respected in the allocation of funds. Forever Idaho provides general operating support to eligible organizations through a regional grantmaking process. Grants may be used to cover a wide range of direct and indirect organizational costs. These include payroll, rent, utilities, supplies, equipment, project expenses, capital improvements, and general programmatic needs. By offering unrestricted funding, the program aims to empower organizations with the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most urgently needed. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charities as defined under IRS Code Section 170, and governmental entities, including public schools. Applicants must also align their work with one of six impact areas defined by the foundation: Arts & Culture; Community Benefit; Educational & Economic Opportunities; Environment & Animal Welfare; Health and Wellness; and Housing Stability. These impact areas reflect ICF’s strategic priorities and provide context for applicants to position their proposals effectively. The application process is organized into four regional cycles based on geographic coverage. The Northern and Eastern regions have a submission deadline of June 15, while the Southwestern and South Central regions close on August 15. Applicants may apply in the region where their main office is located and/or in any region where they serve residents. Awards are reviewed and recommended by volunteer Regional Councils composed of local community leaders with deep knowledge of their respective areas. Final approval of grant awards rests with ICF’s Board of Directors. Most grants awarded under this program range between $3,000 and $8,000, with a maximum request limit of $25,000. There is no requirement for matching funds. Successful applicants will be notified in September for the Northern and Eastern cycles, and in November for the Southwestern and South Central cycles. ICF does not require final reports for funded grants, aligning with their philosophy of trust-based philanthropy. Instead, they welcome stories, photos, and informal updates as part of their learning approach. Applications must be submitted through the applicant’s ICF portal by selecting the corresponding regional opportunity. For inquiries, applicants are encouraged to email Grants@idahocf.org or call (208) 342-3535. For technical assistance with the portal, applicants should email ApplicantPortal@idahocf.org. There is no pre-application deadline, and all submissions must be finalized by the relevant regional deadline. Applicants can expect a review period of approximately two to three months from the submission deadline to the award notification.