STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Wood River Women’s Foundation has awarded a record $503,647 to 27 nonprofits.

Not only did it award the highest number of grants ever in a single year but it was able to award a grant to every organization that applied.

“Such great news for our applicants this year, given the extraordinary generosity of our members and their commitment to the Wood River Women’s Foundation mission,” said the organization’s president Sandy McCullough. “We are thrilled to—for the first time—be able to fully fund every single applicant on the final ballot.”

The generosity of the 300 women in the organization exceeded all bounds this year.

The Wood River Women’s Foundation collectively raised a record $400,000 through membership dues and a matching grant, which allowed it to fund 19 organizations’ requests in full and eight partially.

Then a couple members donated $103,646 more to fund all 27 grantees in full.

“That means for the first time ever we will be fully funding every single one of the applicants on our ballot and the amazing work they seek to do in 2024,” said McCullough.

This year’s grants went to a diverse array of nonprofit organizations, including those offering housing and legal assistance, providing meals for students, outdoor initiatives, medical transportation services and arts programming.

Several nonprofits received first-time funding, including Mountain Rides, The Liberty Theater Company and the Thrival Foundation.

“We were thrilled to receive applications from nonprofits that had never previously applied for Wood River Women’s Foundation funding and appreciate the opportunity to lend our support to their missions regardless of their budget size,” said McCullough.

Since its founding in 2005, the Wood River Women’s Foundation has awarded 242 grants totaling $3.95 million to nonprofits in the Wood River Valley. Members collectively give. They then accept applications for grants, review those grants and vote on which projects they believe will most benefit the community.

But it doesn’t stop there. Members also follow up with the organizations, devoting time and skills to further the organizations’ mission.

“Our grant process not only offers our members an insightful view into the impactful work being carried out by nonprofits in the valley but also equips them with the necessary tools to evaluate grant proposals effectively,” said Linda Segre, the foundation’s Grants Co-Chair.

WRWF’s 2024 grant recipients:

ARCH Community Housing - Developing Workforce Housing: $25,000

Blaine County Charitable Fund - Emergency Financial Assistance Programs: $25,000

Blaine County Education Foundation - School Meals, $25,000

Blaine County Recreation District - Quigley PistenBully SnowCat: $25,000

Far + Wise - New Elementary Cohort: $25,000

Flourish Foundation - Mindful Awareness Program - $25,000

Friends of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center - Community Avalanche Awareness Education: $20,000

Girls On the Run - Youth Development: $10,000

Higher Ground Sun Valley - Cycling Program: $20,000

Idaho BaseCamp - Sahm 5th Grade Program: $25,000

Kiwanis - Hop Porter Performance Stage: $25,000

Mountain Rides - Non-Emergency Medical Transport: $25,000

North Blaine County Fire District - Greenhorn Housing Landscaping: $25,000

RotaRun Ski Club - History Preservation Project: $20,000

Sun Valley Museum of Art - PreK-12th Grade Enrichment: $20,000

Swiftsure Therapeutic Ranch - Care for Our Horses: $25,000

The Alliance of Idaho - Project Solo: $25,000

The Community Library - Computers and Internet Access: $16,400

The Liberty Theater Company - Pay What You Feel Tickets: $10,000

The Spot - Young Company Education: $13,200

The Thrival Foundation - Self-defense for women and children: $5,000

Trailing of the Sheep Festival - Big Sheep Parade: $5,000

Unega Mountain Dog Rescue - Intake Barn and Translator: $15,000

Wood River Baseball - Pitching Mounds: $8,546

Wood River Legacy Softball - Girls Softball: $8,500

Wood River Community Orchestra - Operating Expenses: $7,000

Wood River Community YMCA - Summer Education: $25,000

Grantees will be invited to attend the Wood River Women’s Foundation annual meeting and grantee celebration on Aug. 8.

Learn more about the Wood River Women’s Foundation at https://woodriverwomensfoundation.org.