Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation announces second round of Fast-Track Small Grant awards

June 3, 2020

The Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation has approved another $56,000 in Fast-Track Small Grants to seven area nonprofit agencies to help them deal with health issues, including some brought on by COVID-19, the Coronavirus pandemic, the LCVHF Board of Community Advisors have announced.

The Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation funds grants to promote the health, wellness, and disease prevention of residents in a three-state, nine-county area: Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce in Idaho; Asotin, Garfield and Whitman in Washington; and Wallowa in Oregon.

The Fast-Track Small Grant, is a quick turnaround grant intended for small nonprofits that focus on health, wellness or disease prevention. This year, with the pandemic, the grant request was increased to up to $10,000 with a total of $360,000 available. Fast-Track Small Grant applications can be submitted throughout the year, but grant applications are reviewed and awarded monthly until funds are expended. The board approved $146,006 in grants in April to bring the total to $202,006 awarded thus far.

Information and the application for Fast-Track Small Grants can be found on the Foundation’s website at Lewisclarkhealth.org.

Nonprofit organizations from Lewiston, Orofino, Pullman, and Clearwater County were among the Fast-Track Small Grant recipients approved at the board’s meeting in May. The requests varied from starting a resource center for displaced youth to personal protective equipment.

Dr. John Rusche, President of the Board of Community Advisors for the foundation, said he encourages the public to also donate to local efforts to address the COVID-19 emergency either directly to the nonprofit organizations or through the Idaho Gives campaign at www.idahogives.org.

The Foundation’s larger “Impact Grants” are also open for a letter of intent application to July 1 and are intended for requests up to $75,000. However, the Foundation will consider compelling requests in any amount. Priority is given to applications that demonstrate a commitment to long-term vision, building partnerships, and projects that address the root causes that affect health, improve wellness, and help prevent disease. A letter of inquiry form for 2020 grants is available on the Foundation’s website.

The Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation was established in 2017 by Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden as part of the sale of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center by Ascension Health to RCCH Healthcare Partners. The Idaho Attorney General’s office established specific guidelines for the grants and the Foundation’s Board of Community Advisors determines the annual grants to be made. The Idaho Attorney General’s office set up specific guidelines as to which categories of organizations are eligible to apply and what kind of grants may receive funds. Those eligible to apply for grants are nonprofit tax-exempt organizations with 501(c)(3) classification from the IRS, and governmental entities, if used exclusively for charitable purposes of the trust. All proposals must be for health, wellness, or disease prevention to qualify.

Idaho Trust Bank has been designated as the foundation’s trustee.

For more information on the board or the grant process, visit the Foundation’s website or contact Idaho Trust Bank at 208-664-6448.

Here is the list of organizations that received Fast-Track Small Grants in May, the amount of the grant awarded, and what it will be used for.

  • LC Valley Youth Resource Center, Lewiston, $10,000, to assist the opening of a resource center for displaced local youth.
  • First Step 4 Life Recovery Resource Center, Orofino, $10,000 to help with whole health action management in high-risk populations.
  • YMCA of the Palouse, Pullman, $5,000, to assist with the YMCA of the Palouse Extended Summer Day Camp program.
  • Orofino Fire Department, Orofino, $8,500to purchase AEDs.
  • Clearwater County Ambulance, Clearwater County, $10,000 supplies for emergency response.
  • Willow Center, Lewiston, $10,000, for grief peer support groups.
  • Opportunities Unlimited, Lewiston, $2,500 for personal protective equipment.