Community Foundation Week, created in 1989 by former President George H.W. Bush, recognizes the important work of community foundations like Innovia Foundation throughout America and their collaborative and innovative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Community Foundation Week is November 12 –18, 2021.
Community foundations are grantmaking public charities dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic region. At Innovia, our service area includes 20 counties and six Native American tribal communities in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
Community foundations play a key role in identifying and solving community problems. Currently, more than 750 community foundations operate in urban and rural areas in every state in the United States. Many community foundations throughout the country were first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic through the creation of Response Funds. These funds were established to tackle the immediate needs of local organizations and communities that the crisis had impacted. Community foundations also play a key role in creating more just and equitable communities. This includes establishing and supporting grantmaking, advocacy and special initiatives designed to address inequities and increase opportunities for marginalized populations to thrive and reach their full potential.
