United Way invests $150K in North Idaho

From day camps and school programs to infant safety and senior nutrition, the $150,000 United Way of North Idaho has awarded through its Community Care Fund program touches a large swath of society.

"I am really excited for a couple reasons, and really happy with this year," United Way of North Idaho Community Impact Director Keri Cederquist said.

Cederquist said she was impressed with the engagement of local volunteers who served on the Community Impact Council during the grant selection process. Community Care Fund grant applications are reviewed by volunteers, who spend several weeks conducting interviews and site visits and deliberating about where funds should go before reaching a consensus and bringing recommendations to United Way's board of directors.

"We saw so much leadership and careful consideration from these volunteers to ensure the funds are being invested wisely and with those organizations that are meeting all the greatest unmet needs, but also including programs and services that may not otherwise have opportunity for funding," Cederquist said. "One of the things we take pride in with our grant process is our funds can be used for operations and payroll, which are often not payed for through grants."

The Community Care Fund started in 1957, with the vision to maximize impact and achieve long-lasting results in the community. Its funds come from voluntary workplace campaigns, where employees can opt to donate a certain amount each paycheck. More than 60 local companies provide this charitable giving opportunity for their staff members.

Grants are awarded for one year and may be used for operational, administrative, staffing and supply expenses. Recipients are required to submit six-month progress reports and year-end reports on program outcomes.

Award recipients demonstrate to United Way their alignment with its emphasis on education, health and financial stability goals, focus on reaching the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population and community collaboration.

"What I’m proud of is the transparency and the grassroots community engagement in making these investment decisions,” Cederquist said.

The Post Falls Food Bank will use its share of Community Care Fund money to continue its daily route to stores around North Idaho and Spokane. Each day, the food bank "rescues" about 8,000 pounds of food that would otherwise be discarded as it nears expiration or stores run out of room for it.

"That’s 80% of our food that we bring in, is grocery rescue," Post Falls Food Bank Executive Director Leslie Orth said. "Anything related to collecting and processing the food is where that money goes — fuel, maintenance, keeping the lights on."

Orth, who also serves on the Community Care Fund review panel, praised the United Way of North Idaho for its work to help so many in the community.

"They’re doing something right," she said. "I know not all the United Ways are as successful, but the United Way of North Idaho is getting the message out."

She said what has resonated with a lot of people lately is the focus on the ALICE population.

"Everybody is in that group, has a child in that group or knows somebody, especially the past four years when everything has increased in cost," Orth said.

She said United Way has been ahead of the curve with highlighting the needs of the working poor and what can be done to benefit them, such as child care scholarships.

"That resonates with a lot of the community. We have people walking in the food bank that walk around like, 'What the heck am I doing here?'" Orth said. "This (resource) allows them to keep paying their rent and put gas in their car because they're saving $500 on food. This is ALICE."

Applications for the next Community Care Fund grant cycle will be accepted July through September.

Community Care Fund recipients in Kootenai County:

Education:

Elevate Academy North, student success program

Growing the STEM

Tesh Transitions University

Financial stability:

CDAIDE volunteer coordination

Post Falls Food Bank grocery rescue

Post Falls Senior Center nutrition program

Health:

Northwest Infant Survival and SIDS Alliance, Safe Start rural outreach

Safe Passage, children’s mental health therapy program

St. Vincent de Paul, ICARE child abuse prevention program

Grantees and workplace campaign companies will be recognized at United Way’s annual awards luncheon March 22 at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

United Way is also accepting nominations for Volunteer of the Year and Nonprofit Professional of the Year. A contribution of $250 to each winner’s affiliated nonprofit will be made in their name. Past winners include individuals from Safe Passage, Children’s Village, St. Vincent de Paul, Charity Reimagined, Heritage Health, AARP Tax Aide and the Inland Northwest SIDS Foundation.

Info: uwnorthidaho.org/awards or call 208-667-8112 ext. 104

This article has been updated to reflect Growing the STEM is a 2023 Community Care Fund grant recipient.