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COMMUNITY

FOUNDATION WEEK

NOVEMBER 12-18, 2023

BACK TO BASICS

A community foundation can be defined simply as a grantmaking public charity dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic. 

View the geographic service region of Innovia here.

Community foundations help local philanthropists of all income levels create or support permanent charitable funds that issue grants to the causes and organizations they love. 

Community foundations also play a key role in identifying and solving community problems. Through grantmaking, advocacy, research and civic leadership, community foundations leverage the resources in communities to address the most important issues and challenges.

  • Established in 1974, Innovia has been in service for 48 years.
  • Since its inception, Innovia has awarded over $115 million in grants and scholarships.
  • The first community foundation was created in 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio, and operates now as the Cleveland Foundation.
  • Currently, more than 750 community foundations operate in urban and rural areas in every state in the United States.
  • Every continent but Antarctica has a community foundation. It’s estimated that there are at least 1,200 community foundations outside of the United States and Canada.
  • According to the National Philanthropic Trust’s 2020 Donor-Advised Fund Report, grantmaking from DAFs to qualified charities totaled more than $25 billion in 2019, a 93 percent increase since 2015. 
  • Nearly every type of gift, from cash to real estate, stock, and other assets, can be donated to a community foundation.
  • Community Foundation Week, created in 1989 by former President George H.W. Bush, recognizes the important work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative and innovative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sector

WHO IS INNOVIA?

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, we partner with people who want to make our world better. We work together to address and solve our region’s problems, help those in need, identify and respond to our greatest opportunities and leave a lasting impact. Each year, Innovia Foundation invests over $10 million into our communities through grants and scholarships to nonprofit organizations and local students. 

"We serve as leaders and conveners to create bold solutions for our region's future."
Karlee Ludwig
Program Associate
"We are a partner for communities to address what matters most to the people we serve."
Image of Innovia Employee, Collette Jarvelin
Collette Jarvelin
Program Officer
"We're parents, students and neighbors. You see us at the grocery store or at the local restaurants. We are proud of our connections and eager to support the communities we live in and call home."
Dig Chrismer
Rural Engagement Manager - North Region

Mission:

To ignite generosity that transforms lives and communities

Vision:

Vibrant and sustainable communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive

Strategic Focus Areas:

Vibrant and Sustainable Communities

Make Our Part of the World Better

Every Person Thrives

Creating Opportunity for All

Ignite Generosity

Impact the Causes You Care About

HOW DO WE CREATE IMPACT?

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