Local nonprofits benefit from women’s largess
By Dana DuGan
Since 2006, the Wood River Women’s Foundation has awarded grants to Blaine County-based nonprofits, of which there are more than 100 in operation. Members of the WRWF understand that pooling resources has a greater impact than one person’s annual check. It also has bonuses for its members as it connects them with the community, they learn more about Blaine County needs, and it enables them to meet other women interested in philanthropy.
At the 11th annual luncheon at Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge, in Elkhorn, on Tuesday, members who each pledge $1,000 a year met to announce new board members, discuss impacts on the previous year’s grantees, and celebrate the new grants awarded.
One of 48 in the U.S., the WRWF is part of a network called the Women’s Collective Giving Grant Makers (WCGN). Board member of this national group, Laura Midgley is also a member of WRWF.
“None of these groups are identical,” Midgley said at the luncheon. “They all reflect their communities. There are over 11,000 women affiliated with the WCGN. That’s pretty powerful. In its history, it’s given $80 million.”
WRWF President Joanne Wetherell recently attended the WCGN Leadership Forum in Charlotte, N.C.
“The women of the Wood River Valley made quite an impression,” Wetherell said, due to its robust membership of 280 from such a small community.
The following grants, worth $224,600, were awarded, with some already working on these projects.
- The Hunger Coalition and The Community Library, “Bloom” – Growing Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds – $27,000
- The Advocates, Domestic Violence Housing First – $25,000
- Blaine County Education Foundation, Signature Programs to Support Blaine County School District Students and Teachers – $25,000
- National Alliance for Mental Illness-Wood River Valley, Sustainability, Marketing and Office Equipment Upgrade – $25,000
- Blaine County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue, Increase BCSAR Seasonal Mobility with UTV – $21,500
- Little Wood River Public Library, Recycle and Rehabilitate the Little Wood River Library – $20,000
- Lee Pesky Learning Center, Mental Health Services for Adolescents with Learning and Attention Issues – $18,000
- Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley, Building Repair – $14,000
- Hemingway Elementary School, Star Lab: An Exploration of the Stars, Moon and a Laser Show – $13,100
- Higher Ground Sun Valley and Blaine County Recreation District, Mainstreaming at Camp (MAC), requesting $20,000 Partial Funding based on Vote Count – $5,900
- Environmental Resource Center, Pesticide Action Program – $10,000
- Sun Valley Summer Symphony, Elementary Strings Program Instrument Bank Project – $10,000
- Rotarun Ski Club, LASAR After-School Program for Children to Learn to Alpine Ski and Race – $7,000
- nexStage Theatre, Drama Education Programs, requesting $7,500 Partial Funding based on Vote Count – $3,100
