The Nagel Foundation is based in Eagle, Idaho, a quaint suburb located about 10 miles northwest of Boise. The history of this locally-focused foundation is tied to the Nagel Beverage Company, which dates back to 1895, when a German immigrant named John Henry Nagel bought the Soda Water Company and expanded his business by bottling flavored sodas. After a series of subsequent purchases and an eventual sale to PepsiCo, the locally-owned family business ceased to operate. However, the foundation continues its activities in Idaho.
Here are some details about how the Nagel Foundation supports Idaho nonprofits.
Two types of grants
Nagel Foundation grants are categorized as either community grants or education grants. Community grants benefit organizations that promote the common good, grow healthy relationships and care for people. Examples of community grantees are the Assistance League of Boise, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho and Genesis Community Health.
The other category is education grants, through which the Nagel Foundation looks to support community leadership through workforce training and specialized education programs. The foundation team believes that educational and specialized training are essential for a thriving community and has funded scholarships at the College of Western Idaho and Boise State University. The foundation has also provided education-related grants to the Idaho State Historical Society and the Warhawk Air Museum.
A focus on southwest Idaho
This is a regional funder that focuses all of its attention on nonprofits in southwest Idaho. It does not fund projects or organizations outside of that region, and it also does not fund political activities, special events, fundraising projects or grants to individuals. Although a majority of grants go to organizations based in Boise, funding also supports groups in the Idaho towns of Nampa, Caldwell, Garden City and Eagle.
Past local grantees include Camp Rainbow Gold, which is a camp for children with cancer in Boise, and Idaho River Kids, to which the foundation provided general operating support. The Salvation Army of Ada County, Humphrey Diabetes Education Center and Lowell Elementary School have also received Nagel grants.
An accessible application process
The Nagel Foundation has a straightforward application process. It requires that applications be submitted by October 31 and does not consider late or incomplete applications. The foundation prefers to receive applications via online form through its website, but organizations can also print the downloaded form and mail it to the foundation office if they prefer. From that point, the board of directors meets in November to review applications and the foundation makes grant notifications by December 15.
More information about this funder and other Idaho grantmakers can be found in IP’s Northwest Funding Guide.