Howard W. Wildin II believed education improved lives. So when he asked in his will that the local Newport-Priest River Rotary Club use a portion of his estate to better his community through education, his fellow Rotarians turned to Innovia Foundation to help make it happen.
In 2017, with Howard’s gift, the club established an endowed area of interest fund and an endowed scholarship fund at Innovia Foundation. Rotary members recommend grants and awards from the funds’ distributable income to support higher education, vocational training and other events, activities and programs that spur community and economic development in Pend Oreille County and the West Bonner County School District area.
“Establishing these funds with a 501(c)(3) like Innovia offered significant tax benefits, while also providing the club sufficient flexibility to carry out the donor’s intent,” said Steve Brown, an honorary club member who helped create the funds.
