Help End Hunger in Idaho

The U.S. Postal Service is having its annual food drive to help the Idaho Foodbank on May 8, 2010, and they are looking for some help in carrying the food donations! Would you like to help make a difference? Help get food to our neighbors? 

To help the USPS with their food drive, contact Cindy Hale at chale@idahofoodbank.org or call 336-9643 x. 236.

Great Ways to End Hunger in Idaho!

(Published in the Idaho Statesman January 12, 2010)

With the increase in region-wide unemployment, more and more families are struggling to put food on the table.  Demand at area food banks is estimated to increase 30% over and above the 27% increase from last year.

With such pressing need, many groups are finding innovative ways to help restock the warehouses of area food banks.  Although January and February are typically the lowest months for food donations, two organizations are planning on turning that around this year.

Dump Hunger Campaign Benefitting Local Food Banks

Western States Equipment has launched a six-week food drive that partners 13 Western States branch locations with local food banks within their community.

In its second year, the “Dump Hunger” campaign is hoping to collect 150,000 pounds of food – equal to two CAT 730 truckloads.

In addition to the food collection, Western States will match $1 for every 5 pounds of food collected, up to a $17,000 contribution.

Donations to the campaign can be brought to any of the Western States branch locations.

The Dump Hunger campaign will end on Tuesday, February 9th.

For more information, including Western States branch locations and a weekly Dump Hunger tracker, visit www.westernstatescat.com.

Will Act for Food by Daisy’s Madhouse 

Local theatre artists will be using their creative talents and ingenuity to serve those in need through “Will Act for Food” presented by Daisy’s Madhouse.  This “a play in a day” festival will bring actors, writers and directors together to create an evening of entertainment to benefit the Idaho Foodbank.

The festival performances will be at the Danny Peterson stage at the Morrison Center on Saturday, Jan 16 starting at 8pm.

The day prior to the festival, writers will be given a line and a prop they must use to produce a 10-page one-act play in a variety of randomly assigned genres.   The next morning, directors and casts will be chosen randomly for each of the 10-12 minute plays.

Guest judges Tom Willmorth of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Fool Squad, Dana Oland of the Idaho Statesman and local playwright and director Sandra Cavanaugh will critique the shows. 

All registration fees and tickets proceeds will go to the Idaho Foodbank. 

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and BSU Students.  The show is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Tickets are available at Select-a-Seat at www.idahotickets.com or 426-1494.

For more information on the Idaho Foodbank, visit www.idahofoodbank.org or call 336-9643.

Wish List for Today - Dress for Success

Would you like to help a woman who needs a little helping hand in order to get back on her feet and support herself and her children?   You might want to check out Dress for Success' amazing program, then.

The organization, comprised of over 90 affiliates around the world, is there to help women break the cycle of poverty and government assistance in a very simple, and yet so effective, way - provide her with appropriate interview clothing and some basic training in interview etiquette.  Once the woman gets a job, she may come back and pick another work-appropriate outfit, letting her start her job feeling confident.

This is more than just "looking good" - this is about giving women who have often been abused, or just otherwise never given any kind of emotional support, the chance to see that someone does care about and believe in her. 

The volunteers (lead by an angel in disguise as an executive director, Debi Foster), do an incredible job in making each client of the organization feel appreciated and ensuring that she leaves their offices with her head held high. It is a great formula for success.

Maybe in your closet or drawers, you might have some of these items?  If you are trying to find a good home for them, call Dress for Success at (208) 288-4405.

Plus size (14 and above) suits and separates
Shoes, purses, unused nylons
Jewelry
Unopened makeup

Meridian Education Foundation Looking for New Executive Director

We received a note from the Meridian Education Foundation that they are seeking a new Executive Director. The information is posted below. If you have any questions, kindly look at www.meridianschoolsfoundation.org or email MEFDirectorsearch@gmail.com.  We know nothing more about this position than what is posted below.

Notice of Vacancy

Meridian Education Foundation

Executive Director

Part time contract position 20-40 hrs/month

Hourly contract compensation: $15-$25

This position is for an independent contractor as defined by IRS

Qualified applicants will submit resume and letter of interest identifying qualifications outlined in vacancy notice.

The executive director will actively manage and advance the mission and vision of the Meridian Education Foundation.  Along with the Board of Directors the incumbent is responsible to implement and identify new fundraising strategies.  The Board is seeking an individual who can build on current momentum and propel the foundation toward significant growth.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS);  Experience at the executive level in nonprofit fundraising.  Passion for public school education.  Commitment to working in a nonprofit, mission driven environment.  Successful candidate will have established contacts with local community supporters and businesses in the Meridian/Boise area.

Leadership: Direct and implement foundation operations, management and administration.  Lead ongoing program direction and implementation.

Fundraising: Proven ability to raise funds through multiple channels/sources including grant writing, annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving.

Board relations: develop and maintain strong, positive working relationships with a volunteer board. 

Budgeting and Fiscal Oversight:  In accordance with Board directives, coordinate with the Board for budget development, financial reports, fiscal oversight and distribution of all funds.

Benefactor relations:  Develop and maintain strong, positive working relationships with key external donor stakeholders.

Grantee relations:  Assist in soliciting interest in, evaluating and distributing grants.  Develop ways to evaluate the effectiveness of the Foundation’s grant award program.

Public relations: represent the foundation effectively with community groups, the media, and other external groups.  Find ways to recognize the contributions of the benefactors and grant recipients.  Raise community awareness of the Foundation’s mission and accomplishments.

Experience using Microsoft’s office suite, including Excel PowerPoint, word, and prefer experience with QuickBooks; Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communications skills; public speaking and developing professional presentations.  Other duties as assigned.

Submissions accepted until position is filled.  Selected applicants will be contacted for interview(s).

 

Please forward resume and letter of interest to:

 

Executive Director Search Committee

c/o  Meridian Education Foundation

PO Box 563
Meridian, Idaho 83680 

Email:  MEFDirectorSearch@gmail.com

http://www.meridianschoolsfoundation.org/

Idaho Community Foundation – Giving in Idaho

Last week we talked about considering making a charitable contribution as a method for holiday gift-giving.  Whether through a national online service or through a specific nonprofit, giving a donation is a way of ensuring that your gift is returned to the global or local community, never to a store.

Another way of giving is to focus on the needs of Idaho.  An organization that provides both broad and specific support throughout the state is the Idaho Community Foundation.  Whether as a charitable holiday gift or as part of your own year-end giving, ICF can help provide good stewardship and allocation of resources with an eye on the needs of our state.

The Idaho Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization composed of over 370 individual funds, pooled together for efficient management. To achieve its mission of enriching the quality of life throughout Idaho, ICF accepts and invests funds from donors and grants the funds for a broad variety of philanthropic projects statewide.

Since its inception in 1988, ICF has made charitable distributions in Idaho totaling more than $31 million.  In the last calendar year alone, the Foundation awarded grants totaling $4.5 million to nonprofit groups in all of Idaho’s 44 counties.

You can choose to donate to one of the hundreds of existing funds, a list of which is available on ICF’s website.  Such funds include scholarships for particular areas of study, support of regional area or local needs, assisting in statewide conservation, and others. 

You can also choose to establish your own fund and determine its objectives and guidelines.  The kinds of such funds, as well as information on initial monetary requirements, are available on ICF’s website.

If you don’t have a specific philanthropy in mind, you can make a donation to one of the “Greatest Need” funds which address the ever-changing needs throughout Idaho, including regional needs.

For more information on the Idaho Community Foundation, go to www.idcomfdn.org or call 342.3535. 

Deadline Approaching to Submit Inquiry to Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation!

Calling southwestern Idaho nonprofits! Don't miss the chance to get your fantastic program in front of the Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation!

The deadline to submit your Letter of Inquiry is December 1, 2008.  Selected applicants will then be asked to submit a complete project proposal. 

If your program fits into one of their main criteria and eligible categories, you are crazy if you do not apply!

Are you looking for information about whether you may qualify?  Check out their website here.  Perhaps you want to know what to include in your letter?  The IWCF has an amazing breadth of categories for programs that are of interest, and they show incredible clarity and transparency for how they select organizations to later submit proposals.  They truly are to be commended for their processes!

BCIFH & Idaho Youth Ranch - Blue Cruise Wheels for Wellness

A summer bicycle ride with friends and family is a favorite summer activity for many Idahoans. Whether as a leisurely ride or a more strenuous one, it is a great way to get in shape while enjoying the outdoors.

You can promote wellness while helping Idaho families by participating in the 6th annual Blue Cruise Wheels for Wellness on Sunday, August 10. With routes that range for recreational riders to the ardent athlete, this is a fun event for all.

The ride benefits the health education programs of the Idaho Youth Ranch and the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.

The Idaho Youth Ranch (www.youthranch.org) provides help to troubled children and families. They maintain six residential treatment homes throughout Idaho, assisting youth with issues such as alcohol or drug abuse; abuse or neglect (physical, emotional, sexual or mental); family conflicts; mental health issues; consistently in trouble—at home, at school, or with the law; runaway or homelessness.

Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, promotes and encourages the health and wellness of all Idaho residents.

Event festivities include an after-ride party complete with live blues music. Each registered rider will receive a tshirt and will be entered into a drawing for great prizes. Lunch tickets for non-riders are $5 each.

The bike ride is a part of the Treasure Valley Charity Bike Series (http://www.tvcbs.org). The series of four bike events to raise money for various charities also includes the Cycle for Independence, the Bob LeBow Bike Tour, and Bike MS.

Riders can choose from routes of 100 miles, 50 miles, 30 miles, and 15 miles. All routes start and finish at the Blue Cross of Idaho campus at the corner of Eagle Road and East Pine Avenue in Meridian.

Registration for riders age 16 and above is $35; under the age of 16 is $25. There is a $5 credit if you sign up before August 8.

Registration is available at http://www.bcidahofoundation.org/Events/Blue_Cruise/bluecruise.asp

Easter Seals-Goodwill – Ally & Brady’s Gift of Hope Golf Tournament

Play time is important for people of all ages. As children it is one of the ways that we learn social skills and is a way to bond with those around us. As adults, we use it to unwind and to enjoy time with loved ones.

On Friday, July 25th and Saturday, July 26th, you can support play time at a variety of levels by participating in the Ally & Brady’s Gift of Hope Golf Tournament benefitting Easter Seals-Goodwill PLAY Project.

The P.L.A.Y. Project (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) is a nationally recognized program that provides in-home training and support for families of children age 14 months to 8 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Trained P.L.A.Y. Consultants work with families in the home teaching them play-based, individualized intervention techniques. Unlike many therapies for children with autism, P.L.A.Y., which is based on the intervention method called “floortime,” gets all of the family members involved.

Easter Seals-Goodwill is the only provider of P.L.A.Y. Project in Idaho.

The golf tournament is named for the sister and brother team of Ally and Brady. Brady was diagnosed with ASD at age 4. Over the past several years, older sister Ally has been an active participant, teacher and mentor during Brady’s P.L.A.Y. sessions. Their parents have seen tremendous progress for both children through their participation in the program. Brady has made substantial developmental progress, while Ally has gained assertiveness and self-worth skills.

The family wanted to do something positive in the name of autism support and so created the Ally & Brady’s Gift of Hope Golf Tournament two years ago to raise funds for families receiving Easter Seals-Goodwill PLAY Project autism services in Idaho.

The tournament will be held at the Lakeview Golf Course in Meridian. The event includes a family potluck dinner and Calcutta on Friday night at Tully Park and golf and dinner on Saturday. Tickets are $100 per golfer or $400 for a team.

For more information or to register, call 378-9924 or www.esgw-nrm.easterseals.com