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

The Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation has approved $130,110 more in Fast-Track Small Grants to 16 area organizations in May to help them deal with health issues, including some brought on by COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, LCVHF officials 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. With several nonprofit organizations struggling with funding during the pandemic, approximately $500,000 is available this year in Fast-Track Small Grants, up nearly $150,000 from a year ago. Fast-Track Small Grant applications can be submitted through May 31. The grants are reviewed and awarded monthly.

Along with the 26 Fast-Track Grants that were awarded in April, a total of $335,700 has been awarded thus far to 42 organizations. Information and the application for Fast-Track Small Grants can be found on the Foundation’s website at lewisclarkhealth.org.

Nonprofit organizations and government agencies from nine cities in the Foundation’s three-state nine-county service area are among the Fast-Track Small Grant recipients approved in May. The requests varied from purchasing heart monitors addressing food and nutrition inadequacies. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations were unable to hold their usual fundraisers and requested financial help for their general operating funds.

The Foundation’s larger “Impact Grants” applications will be available on the Foundation’s website on June 1 and are intended for requests up to $75,000. Priority is given to applications that demonstrate a commitment to long-term vision and projects that address the root causes that affect health, improve wellness, and help prevent disease. Impact Grant applications are due July 31. Community Advisors to the Foundation will review the Impact Grant applications and make grant award recommendations to the Trustee. The Trustee will notify the organizations that are selected for funding prior to November 15.

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. Those eligible to apply for grants are nonprofit tax-exempt organizations with 501(c)(3) classification from the IRS, and governmental entities or government or public organizations described in I.R.C. § 170(c)(1) (political subdivisions of a state or federal government) or I.R.C. § 511(a)(2)(B) (state colleges and universities), even if it is not described in I.R.C. § 501(c)(3), provided that any grant to such governmental or public organization must be made exclusively for charitable purposes as described in I.R.C. § 170(c)(2)(B), subject to any additional limitations under 26 C.F.R. § 53.4945-5(a)(4), or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws. All proposals must be for health, wellness, or disease prevention to qualify.

Idaho Trust Bank administers the Foundation as its Trustee.

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

Here is the list of the 16 organizations that were approved for Fast-Track Small Grants in May, the amount of the grant awarded, and what it will be used for.

  • Families Together, Pullman, $10,000 – Operating funds to help clients and their families with physical activities through programs and gym memberships.
  • Alzheimer’s Association, Clarkston, $5,000 –Operating funds to provide services to local residents, including a 24/7 Help Line, in-person and virtual caregiving support meetings, and education.
  • Lowell Quick Response Unit, Kooskia, $9,500 – Purchase a Zoll 12-lead heart monitor to allow the unit to tell if a patient is having a heart problem and where it is located so they can alert a hospital ahead of time.
  • Clarkston Lions Club, Clarkston, $5,000 – Operating funds for eyesight and hearing assistance.
  • Backyard Harvest, Moscow, $8,000 – Program to target low-income families through active participation at rural food pantries as a means to provide easy access to fresh and free local produce.
  • City of Deary, $10,000 – New city park activities equipment and update the basketball court.
  • LC Valley Youth Resource Center, Lewiston, $10,000 – Staffing for a its afternoon drop-in program, which provides a safe place for local youth in distress.
  • Tahoe Community First Responders, Kooskia, $10,000 – Daily operations, training and medical supply purchases for emergency vehicles.
  • Glenwood-Caribel Volunteer Fire District, Kamiah, $4,500 – Replace equipment for emergency medical response.
  • Gina Quesenberry Foundation, Lewiston, $10,000 – Travel Assistance Program to help alleviate the financial burden of breast cancer patients traveling to and from treatments.
  • Lewis-Clark Neptunes Swim Team, Clarkston, $10,000 – Operating expenses to help with the lack of fundraisers being held because of COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Divide Camp, Joseph, Ore., $8,000 – Operating expenses for the camp for post-9/11, combat wounded veterans through nature and outdoor therapeutic activities.
  • Upriver Youth Leadership Council, Kamiah, $7,610 – Professional printer to disseminate information through posters, brochures and flyers to increase youth resiliency.
  • Cornerstone Teen Center, Nezperce, $6,000 – Teen food service program to help provide youth with nutritious meals.
  • Lewiston High School Health & PE Department, Lewiston, $10,000 – Mobile Technology Integration in physical education to help offer students a comprehensive health, wellness and disease prevention program.
  • Interlink, Inc., Clarkston, $6,500 – Help the elderly with COVID-19 vaccinations through telephone outreach.