The Forever Idaho Regional Grant Program is administered by the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF) and is designed to meet the evolving needs of Idaho’s communities through the flexibility afforded by donor contributions. Rooted in the philosophy of community-driven philanthropy, the program funds a wide range of organizational activities. It distributes funds in four regional cycles—Northern, Eastern, Southwestern, and South Central—aligning grantmaking with local needs and contexts.

The grant provides general operating support to eligible applicants, including expenses such as payroll, rent, utilities, supplies, equipment, project costs, capital improvements, and other programmatic necessities. The purpose is to bolster the overall capacity of nonprofits and public entities serving Idaho residents, rather than restricting funding to specific projects. By doing so, ICF empowers organizations to decide how best to use the funding based on their unique needs and operational realities.

Funding is structured by regional cycles with specific county eligibility and deadlines. The Northern and Eastern regions have a deadline of June 15, and include counties such as Kootenai, Nez Perce, Bannock, and Bonneville. The Southwestern and South Central regions have a deadline of August 15, and cover counties such as Ada, Canyon, Blaine, and Twin Falls. Organizations can apply in the region where their main office is located or in any region where they provide services. This geographic flexibility is a key aspect of the program.

Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charities or government entities, including public schools, as defined under IRS Code Section 170. Applicants are also asked to identify one of six impact areas aligned with ICF’s funding priorities: Arts & Culture, Community Benefit, Educational & Economic Opportunities, Environment & Animal Welfare, Health and Wellness, and Housing Stability. These categories help guide Regional Councils in their evaluation.

The application process is conducted online via the ICF portal, and applications are reviewed by regional volunteer councils with community knowledge and sector experience. Final grant awards are approved by ICF’s Board of Directors. While the maximum grant request is $25,000, most awards are expected to fall between $3,000 and $8,000. Applicants are not required to submit final reports but are encouraged to share stories or updates to support ICF’s learning goals.

Key dates include the June 15 and August 15 deadlines based on region, and anticipated award notifications in September for the Northern and Eastern regions, and November for the Southwestern and South Central regions. For application assistance, applicants may contact ICF via email or phone.