How to Apply

In response to this turbulent time, Fund for Idaho’s Persistence Fund is making grants to organizations working to overcome the rising tide of intolerance and divisiveness in Idaho. These grants will fund the work of Idahoans pushing back against the forces that would remove compassion and justice from our Idaho values. Grant decisions are made by an inclusive, diverse committee of both activists and donors so we are sure we tap into the wisdom and experience of both the donors AND those actually doing on-the-ground activism. We do this to ensure we make the most strategic grant decisions.

Grants will be due by May 1, 2024 and awarded by July 1, 2024.

Grant applications will be evaluated based on how well they address all three of these Persistence Fund goals:

• Supporting community-based and/or grassroots activists/advocates in advancing policy changes that ensure fairness, integrity, and compassion for all Idahoans.
• Actively engaging those affected by a problem in the process of identifying and pursuing solutions.
• Promoting collaboration with other groups based on identifying issue areas they have in common.

The Persistence Fund supports strategic issue and policy change work by groups organizing in these areas:

• Human Rights: Empowering and defending marginalized communities to assure economic fairness, immigrant justice, and access to essential services.
• Environmental Integrity: Protecting land & people from contamination and destruction.

An organization must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for a grant from Fund for Idaho:

• Be based in Idaho and working in Idaho
• Have IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (may be fiscally sponsored)
• Have an annual operating budget BELOW $300,000 (fiscal agent’s budget may exceed $300,000)

Fund for Idaho will NOT fund:

• Organizations with annual operating budgets OVER $300,000
• Human or Social Services without clearly defined social change goals or issue organizing components.
• Federal, state, or local government entities
• Organizations based outside of Idaho
• Grants to Individuals
• Capital Campaigns (building construction or renovation)
• Scholarships to colleges or universities
• Organizations that practice or promote partisan or legally defined discriminatory policies relating to race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, or ability.

NOTE: All new applicants MUST have a conversation with us BEFORE submitting an application! We encourage all returning applicants to check in too!

• 2024 Persistence Fund Grant Guidelines: [DOC] [PDF]
• 2024 Persistence Fund Grant Cover Sheet: [DOC] [PDF]
• 2024 Persistence Fund Grant Application Format: [DOC] [PDF]
• 2024 Persistence Fund Grant Budget Format: [XLS] [PDF]
• Grant Year End Report Form: [DOC] [PDF]