Local groups receive United Way grants
SANDPOINT — Several local nonprofits were among 10 regional nonprofits selected for a 2025 Community Care Fund competitive grant award by United Way of North Idaho.
A total of $50,100 was presented to the nonprofits. No individual totals were announced.
“This year, we were fortunate enough to see several new volunteers join the Community Impact Council and I couldn’t be more pleased with how the councils worked together to make these very difficult decisions," Arwyn Robinson, UWNI board member and community impact chair, said. "These non-profit organizations that apply do amazing work in the community and as a volunteer you just want to fund all of them for everything they ask for and more."
Robinson said council volunteers go through a rigorous process to understand each program and how they support the United Way's ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — population in the five northern counties.
"They never fail to impress me with their diligence, thoughtfulness, and care when it comes to making the final grant recommendations," she added.
Among those receiving honors were Food For Our Children, a weekend food program in Bonner County; Sandpoint Youth Center, an after-school center in Bonner County; and NAMI Far North, which received funding for the Sand Creek Clubhouse.
Also receiving funding were Growing the STEM, an after-school STEM program in Kootenai County; Lutherhaven Ministries, which received funding for summer day camps in the Silver Valley; CDAIDE, a care program in Kootenai County; the Post Falls Food Bank, Kootenai Health Youth Acute in Kootenai County; Women Resource Center, Shoshone County; and St. Vincent de Paul, which received funding for its ICARE program in Bonner and Kootenai counties.
UW officials said the 10 nonprofits were selected due to their alignment with United Way’s education, health, and financial stability goals. Recipients were also selected based on the agency's focus on reaching the ALICE population and aiding community collaboration.
The Community Care Fund has been a cornerstone of United Way’s impact work since 1957. The Community Care Funds program is funded by North Idaho voluntary workplace payroll contributions from more than 60 local companies. Employers offer employees this charitable giving opportunity at the workplace year-round, and even though these individual amounts are often small, pooled together these funds make a big impact.
United Way of North Idaho received funding requests in the amount of $362,500 and was able to make $50,100 available to ten local agencies. Grant applications were evaluated over a 12-week process this past fall, which included site visits, financial review, and consensus votes by panels of trained volunteers known as Community Impact Councils.
UWNI Community Care Fund CY2025 grantees and the top workplace campaign companies will be recognized at United Way’s annual awards luncheon in March. UWNI will also honor two individuals, a Volunteer of the Year, and a Nonprofit Professional of the Year, at the event.
United Way of North Idaho is accepting nominations for deserving individuals via its website. A contribution of $250 to each winner’s affiliated nonprofit will be made in each one’s 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. Award luncheon attendance tickets will be available in January at uwnorthidaho.org or by calling 208-667-8112; sponsorships are also still available.
Information: uwnorthidaho.org