Strengthening community has become a way of life for lifelong farmers and beloved Ritzville residents Willard and Patricia Hennings. In 2015, the couple established an endowed fund through Innovia that annually awards grants for local park improvements, downtown Christmas decorations, and any other updates that enhance the beauty of a city brimming with history. Additionally, […]
Michael Wayne Conley, a longstanding Spokane community member and small business owner, has always cared deeply about making the region a better place. As the longtime owner of North Division Bicycle Shop and the son of the founder of the iconic White Elephant stores, Michael’s roots in Spokane run deep. When faced with a terminal
Michael Conley Fund: Committing to Social Justice Read More »
For underserved and low-income Spokane high school students, attending college can feel unattainable. College Success Foundation (CSF) is breaking down those barriers and providing long-term support for students as they journey toward college degrees. CSF offers educational pathways for students from middle school through college completion. The COVID-19 pandemic created additional and seemingly insurmountable obstacles
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Dean and Colleen Mahoney Fund In the 50 years Colleen Mahoney has spent serving the changing needs of the Lewis Clark Valley, her passion for community activism has never wavered. Whether teaching elementary school, serving on the Idaho State Board of Education, helping to develop a new library, participating in human rights activism or working
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Early on during the pandemic, the Lincoln County Economic Development Council noticed a gap in many small business grant programs under Washington’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Businesses that had been in operation for less than 12 months were ineligible to apply for many of the federal and statewide small business grant opportunities. Innovia moved
Tri County Community Fund: Putting Local Dollars to Work “If you love your community, you need to invest in your community.” Inspired by this vision, an anonymous local donor established the Northeast Washington Community Fund to meet the greatest needs of Stevens, Ferry and Pend Oreille counties for generations to come. By expanding services that
“If you love your community, you need to invest in your community.” Read More »
During a summer when the pandemic significantly reduced vitally needed enrichment activities for children, a $1,000 grant from Innovia enabled the Blue Mountain Artisan Guild (BMAG) to offer a curbside pick-up art program for youth who live in the rural wheat farming communities of southeastern Washington. The program provided children ages 2 to 17 with
Sparking Kids’ Creativity Read More »
During a pandemic, much of the focus shifts to cities with denser populations, but smaller communities also suffer in ways that are unique from their larger counterparts. During a national food shortage, food access can be especially tenuous in remote locations. With a population of just 94, White Bird, Idaho is one of dozens of
Idaho Foodbank: Feeding North Idaho Read More »
The stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has left many in need of mental health support. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Far North seeks to raise awareness about mental health needs and to support those in Bonner and Boundary counties who find their lives disrupted by mental health challenges. A $5,000 grant
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In a city where university students are critical to the economy and rental properties constitute 65% of total housing, the pandemic quickly created an affordable housing crisis for many Pullman residents. Thanks to a $10,000 COVID-19 Response and Recovery grant from Innovia, the Community Action Center was able to support a Housing Solutions Program that
Community Action Center: Shelter in the Storm Read More »
