12/10/2019
The Lewis-Clark Healthcare Foundation will award 20 large Impact grants totaling over $619,000 to nonprofits at an award banquet on December 18, 2019. The Foundation will also recognize the 44 Fast Track grant recipients it awarded over $186,000 to earlier this year.
The Lewis-Clark Healthcare Foundation funds grants to promote the health, wellness, or 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 of up to $5,000. This grant is intended for small nonprofits that focus on health, wellness, or disease prevention; have an annual operating budget of less than $250,000; and have an emphasis on serving rural communities. Fast-Track Small Grant applications can be submitted throughout the year. Grant applications are reviewed and awarded monthly until funds are expended. The grant application process is closed for 2019, but will reopen next year. Applications will be available on the Foundation’s website Lewisclarkhealth.org.
The Foundation’s larger “Impact Grants” are intended for requests up to $75,000 but 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, will be available on the Foundations website at Lewisclarkhealth.org, next summer.
Dr. John Rusche, Chairman of the Board of Community Advisors stated “There was impressive interest in both of our grant programs this year. We received over 100 impact grant requests for more than $5 million dollars. Our Board of Community Advisers worked diligently to understand the proposals and the community needs those projects were addressing. We all wish the needs and the resources were a closer match.
We are proud of the not-for-profits in our region, working though their programs and community volunteers to help their fellow residents. While not curing all the ills, we do believe that these awards and these organizations will improve lives in our region.”
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 by Attorney General Lawrence Wasden. Idaho Trust Bank administers this foundation. Foundation assets are invested to provide a multi-generational benefit for this region.
For more information on the board or the grant process, visit the Foundation’s website or contact Idaho Trust Bank at 208-664-6448.