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 […]
This story first appeared in The Spokesman-Review as a Guest Editorial on January 31, 2021. Imagine with me for a moment what it would look like if our entire community came together around the goal that all students, regardless of their economic circumstances or social standing, had the opportunity and support to graduate from high
Invest in our children, invest in our community Read More »
Since 2010, Roger and Mona Crawford have used their donor-advised fund at Innovia to distribute thousands of dollars in grants to local Christian ministries and nonprofits. The Roger and Mona Crawford Family Foundation is part of their plan to involve future generations of their family in nurturing a legacy of generosity. Working with their grandson,
Helping Young Families Flourish: Roger and Mona Crawford Fund supports Lumen High School Read More »
When it comes to making a positive impact on her community, Madeline Gendreau is not afraid to dream big. Through the support of the Rika Ream Environmental Scholarship at Innovia, Madeline is pursuing joint degrees in Geoscience and Environmental Hydrology as a first-year student at Boise State University. After graduation, she plans to attend law
Empowering the Next Generation to Care for the Earth: Madeline Gendreau Read More »
The Wallace District Mining Museum is vital to the local history of North Idaho. Since 1956, the museum has preserved and told the story of the Coeur d’Alene Mining District and Silver Valley. The museum educates and entertains visitors with exhibits and documents that highlight the area’s unique heritage and history of mining. The museum
Preserving the Story of Silver Valley: Wallace District Mining Museum Read More »
The Healing Power of Stories: StoryCorps Stories not only reflect who we are as individuals and communities, they shape us as well. They help us understand ourselves, cultivate meaning in our lives, and bind us together by promoting greater understanding and revealing all the similarities we share. Recognizing the power and potential in stories, Innovia
The Zone Project is an initiative focused on safe and nurtured kids, thriving families, and connected schools and neighborhoods in northeast Spokane. In partnership with The Zone Project, Innovia Foundation received a three-year investment from the Ballmer Group to support expanded learning opportunities in northeast Spokane. The goal of The Zone Project Expanded Learning Program
Maggie Nelson has always been a hard worker, but she felt like her goals were just out of reach due to the constraints of her situation. “Growing up in a small farming community, I felt that I was at odds to finish a four-year degree and compete at NCAA Division 1 for track and field,”
Local scholarship helps EWU student achieve in the classroom and on the field Read More »
Margery Muir had an immense impact on Pullman, where she lived for most of her life. While raising a family of her own with her husband Earl, she also dedicated her time to other children and families in the area. Between substitute school teaching, serving as Guardian Ad Litem for the juvenile court, and volunteering
Mark and Diane Paxton met in dental school at the University of Washington and married in 1980. Their lives quickly filled with adventure, as they had two children and joined the Air Force together. They eventually relocated to Spokane, and Mark began to impact the community with his compassion and his skill for oral surgery,
