Innovia Foundation Logo.

Education and Youth Development

David L. and Francis G. Ray Scholarship Fund

Generosity has a ripple effect. For students growing up in the rolling hills and close-knit farming communities of Ralston and Rimrock, this has never been clearer. In 2002, Gerald Ray established the David L. and Francis G. Ray Scholarship Fund to honor the memory of his parents and benefit students from his hometown communities.

Sparking Student Success with Data

Over half of rural high school graduates in Washington State do not pursue any type of postsecondary education in the year following graduation, greatly reducing future career opportunities. In an effort to change the trajectory and create better outcomes for those graduates, Innovia launched a two-year initiative to strengthen school-community connections in five rural school districts: Dayton, St. John Endicott, Lind-Ritzville, Riverside and Inchelium.

Cultivating Potential Sustaining Fund

Pamela Javier never hesitates to put the needs of others before herself. Whether she is caring for her infant daughter or volunteering at a local charity, her compassionate heart and determined spirit are hard at work. As a young mother and first-generation Asian American college student, Pamela dreams of becoming a registered nurse.

Offering Childcare and Hope in North Idaho

The relief of not having to worry about what essentials I have to cut out or skimp on to pay childcare was huge for my family,” says one grateful parent who received an emergency childcare scholarship through a program of United Way of North Idaho.

“Education and community were important in our household. If we had enough, we gave it to somebody else,” —Karen, daughter of Helen E. Schafer.

Honoring family through the gift of education Education was a passion Helen E. Schaefer never hesitated to share. For 40 years, Helen poured her love of learning and music into lessons for children at Madison and Hutton grade schools in Spokane. As a first-generation college student, Helen knew the power of educational success firsthand and …

“Education and community were important in our household. If we had enough, we gave it to somebody else,” —Karen, daughter of Helen E. Schafer. Read More »

Scroll to Top