Spokane, WA, June 17, 2024 – Each year, the Kalispel Summer Slam, a free 3-on-3 basketball tournament, draws crowds of youth and adults to share in a fun-filled day of basketball and community awareness. In honor of its 50th Anniversary theme of bringing people together to Celebrate Community, Innovia Foundation is proud to announce its sponsorship of the 2024 Summer Slam on June 22 and 23. Hosted by the Kalispel Tribe and Kalispel Casino, the family-friendly event promotes the benefits of youth sports involvement and healthy living, while raising awareness around violence and substance abuse in the region. 

“As our future, we want our youth to have positive events and opportunities to succeed and thrive in healthy, drug- and violence-free communities,” says Mark Zorica of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. “The Kalispel Tribe champions this event as a means of prevention and to bring our communities together to raise awareness. We simply think it’s amazing.” 

As Pend Oreille County’s only 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the event will take place in the Kalispel Casino Parking Lot in Cusick, Washington. Brackets will be arranged into male, female and coed age categories for the following ages: 6-7, 8-10, 10-12, 12-14 and 14-18 (High School). The adult bracket is open.  

Tyson Degenhart, the 2021-22 Mountain West Freshman of the Year from Boise State’s basketball team, will be the special guest in attendance at this year’s Summer Slam. Those interested in volunteering can register and learn more at kalispeltribe.com/kalispel-summer-slam. 

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, Innovia Foundation has invested in the health and wellbeing of youth and families for over five decades. 

“Sports represent a powerful unifying force for our youth and communities,” says Shelly O’Quinn, CEO of Innovia Foundation. “Innovia is honored to invest in the 2024 Summer Slam as a beloved annual event that rallies the community together to uplift the youth of Pend Oreille County.” 

Innovia’s investment in this event is part of a series of events and activities Innovia is gifting to communities across Eastern Washington and North Idaho in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary in 2024. More information about these events can be found at innovia.org/fifty. 

Celebrating Community in 2024  

Together with media partner NonStop Local KHQ, Innovia is Celebrating Community, a year-long, region-wide celebration of the volunteers, citizens and organizations that have faithfully served the needs of communities for 50 years in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Each month, Innovia will gift the region with free, inclusive, family-friendly activities and experiences to commemorate the Foundation’s past, present and future of bringing people together to transform lives and communities. Event details will be released at the beginning of each month throughout 2024.  

50th Anniversary Calendar of Events  

In addition to Innovia-sponsored community events, the Foundation has launched an online calendar where individuals and organizations can submit information about celebrations and activities in their community. The calendar is open to any events within the Foundation’s region that are free or low-cost, family-friendly and have a broad community appeal. Calendar entries can be submitted at innovia.org/fifty.   

Photo Drawing  

Community members who attend Innovia-sponsored community events this year are invited to submit their photos from the event for a chance to win a photo drawing. Winners will be selected in March, June, September and December to receive a $250 grant to a nonprofit of their choice. Entries can be submitted by posting photos on Instagram with the hashtag #innoviacelebratescommunity or by submitting through an online form. Full drawing details and rules, including the online submission form, can be found at innovia.org/fifty.  

About Innovia Foundation  

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, we partner with people who want to improve their communities and make the world better. We work together to identify and respond to our region’s greatest opportunities, help those in need, and leave a lasting impact. Our mission is to ignite generosity that transforms lives and communities. We envision vibrant and sustainable communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive. Each year, Innovia Foundation invests $10 million into our communities through grants and scholarships. 

Innovia Foundation is proud to partner with NonStop Local KHQ for community coverage of these family-friendly free events.