Idaho Community Foundation

The Idaho Community Foundation was established in 1988 when the Whittenberger Foundation, a private foundation based in Caldwell, approached Boise Cascade Chairman and CEO John Fery with an idea to build philanthropy in Idaho. They agreed that the state might benefit from a community foundation because there were few foundations whose giving benefited Idaho. Together, they developed a vision for a broader, deeper source of charitable funding to enrich the quality of life throughout Idaho and set about garnering support from businesses, individuals and communities across the state. It was known from the beginning that it would be challenging to establish a statewide organization in a state with the cultural and geographic differences of Idaho. To overcome the idea that this was a Boise-only foundation, the founders required statewide representation on the board and ensured that distributions from the unrestricted funds, now called Forever Idaho Funds, would benefit the entire state. In 1991, the Idaho Community Foundation made its first-ever grant awards – 31 grants totaling $164,000. Since then, more than $175 million has been granted in Idaho communities in all 44 counties. THE IDAHO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NOW Today, we look forward to the future of the Idaho Community Foundation as we help Idahoans strengthen their communities through philanthropy. Our vision is of an Idaho where everyone gives to their community to help it thrive. On behalf of grateful communities across the state, the Idaho Community Foundation extends its appreciation to the Founding Donors, who made a big idea become a reality.