Since 1973, the Whittenberger Foundation has been working to improve the lives of children and youth in Idaho. This is a state-focused foundation that carries on Ethel Bales Whittenberger’s lifelong interests in the welfare of young people. It’s an accessible foundation with a straightforward grant application process.
Here are some tips on how your organization can receive funding from the Whittenberger Foundation.
Pitch a short-term project
Overall, the Whittenberger Foundation prefers to support short-term projects rather than long-term ones. It wants to donate money to causes where it can see a critical difference being made.
Although this funder’s overarching interest is children and youth, it also provides support in education, arts and culture, social welfare, health, recreation and the environment — as each of those topics relate to local youth. The Whittenberger Foundation does not usually award more than one grant to the same organization within a 12-month period.
Focus on Southwest Idaho
The Whittenberger Foundation is based in Caldwell, Idaho and focuses its geographic attention specifically on Southwest Idaho. Although it may consider supporting organizations in other parts of the state, groups outside Southwest Idaho must come with a stronger case.
Regardless of location, the foundation does not provide support for the following purposes: basic research, individual scholarships, endowment funds, fundraising events or campaigns, building construction projects, consulting fees or advertising.
Review recently awarded grants
Most of the Whittenberger Foundation’s recent grants have been between $5,000 and $10,000. Only continuing commitments typically exceed $20,000.
Grantseekers should review the foundation’s list of recent grantees to learn about the types of organizations that have been attracting its attention. Examples include the United Way of Treasure Valley, Idaho Youth Ranch, Idaho Diaper Bank and the Boise Philharmonic Association. The foundation provides a list of grants by year on its website.
Apply before August 15
The current application deadline is August 15. If you submit an application between August 16 and December 31, the foundation will not consider it.
The foundation requires applicants to submit eight copies of grant applications, and the application form is available for download on its website. Applicants can expect to hear a funding decision by late November, and then new awards are publicly announced in December. The foundation is open to general questions by email.
Learn more about this funder in IP’s full profile of the Whittenberger Foundation, which is part of our Northwest funding guide.