Nonprofits

GRANT APPLICATION
PORTAL

We know that nonprofits are a fundamental part of what makes the Wood River Valley special.

From educational opportunities and environmental causes to arts and culture events and community development efforts, the work of nonprofits is at the core of what makes this area a special place to call home.

Nonprofit work needs broad support, and we are committed to growing the pool of philanthropic funds in the Wood River Valley that will make more meaningful impact possible. Spur catalyzes the giving that will help nonprofits get mission results.

Partnering for Success

$
13.5k

average grant amount in 2022

Partnering for Growth

$17.6M

distributed to date

(2016- 2022)

Partnering for Growth

$579k

distributed in discretionary grants in 2022

Partnering for Growth

36

nonprofits have completed Spur's assessment process

“Spur was the FIRST to step up at a critical time when we were figuring out how to … meet the immediate needs of seniors, help protect this high-risk population and ensure they were fed and
safe in their homes.”

Teresa Beahen Lipman

Executive Director, The Senior Connection

"Spur has been a fantastic partner of The Hunger Coalition. We value their willingness to dive in and understand our most pressing needs and goals, and then introduce our cause to those seeking to enhance our community through philanthropy."

Jeanne Liston

Executive Director, The Hunger Coalition

Our Services

Grow your impact with with Spur.

Our focus is on nonprofits that fit at least two of the following criteria:
Spur Icon - white

Based in Blaine County

Spur Icon - white

Actively serve Blaine County

Spur Icon - white

Raise substantial contributions in Blaine County

Our Approach

We take a partnership approach to working with a wide variety of nonprofits and provide guidance and services that help you run a smooth and transparent operation.

Fostering Excellence

At Spur, we actively invest in promoting excellence in Wood River Valley nonprofits. We offer leadership training, communications seminars and access to data to help organizations benchmark their operations. By fostering excellence and accountability, we increase the opportunities for effective philanthropy that can be recommended to donors.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Participation in our assessment process is voluntary but important to open the full range of grant opportunities with Spur. We use the information we collect to showcase your work to potential donors, and to get a landscape perspective on the sector you work in so we can help identify funding gaps and common challenges.
‍
1. Questionnaire
We start with a questionnaire that captures information ranging from your goals and programs to governance practices and finances. We seek to understand your organization’s priorities, activities, culture, opportunities and challenges to be able to introduce donors to your cause with confidence.
‍
2. Interview
We then follow up with your organization’s leadership to ask questions, get clarification, and ensure we have a thorough understanding of your work.

3. Refresh
We check in periodically to ask for updates and make sure our information stays up to date.
‍
‍

NONPROFIT ADVISING
‍Participation in our assessment process is voluntary but important to open the full range of grant opportunities with Spur. We use the information we collect to showcase your work to potential donors, and to get a landscape perspective on the sector you work in so we can help identify funding gaps and common challenges.
Most of Spur’s advising services are provided cost-free to nonprofits. We consider it essential to our mission of promoting excellence and accountability. Spur provides consulting services to nonprofits across all sectors, advising on:
• strategic plans
• funding and loan applications
• hiring recommendations
• gift processing
• fundraising

‍‍

Nonprofit Advising

Leadership Programs

Organizational Assessments

Granting

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Spur grants from three primary sources: the Spur Impact Fund, Focus Funds, and Donor Advised Funds. All discretionary grants target organizations and projects in specific mission categories with meaningful impact in the Wood River Valley.

  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed a minimum of twice per year.

  • Proposal opportunities begin through conversations with a member of Spur’s board or staff.

  • Grants over $10,000 are typically only given to organizations that have completed Spur's assessment process

  • The organization, program or project must benefit the Wood River Valley.

  • Goals and outcomes must be specific, measurable and on a timeline. Spur will consider granting unrestricted funds to organizations that have earned our highest confidence over time and that track organizational goals and outcomes as rigorously as specific projects.

Funding through Spur :
Our grants make a difference.

Catalyzing Impact

100
%

of donors gave to a new cause because of Spur

Catalyzing Impact

11

executive directors have received professional leadership training

Catalyzing Impact

24

organizations have used Spur as a resource for benchmarking, facilitation and best practice advice

Thanks to Spur, we are getting the training, funding, and support we require to serve this special place with world-class programs."

Lindsay Mollineaux

Executive Director, Environmental Resource Center

Explore how we work with donors ›

Photograph provided by Ray Gadd
Photograph provided by Steve Dondero
Photograph provided by Steve Dondero
Photograph provided by Ray Gadd
Photograph provided by Ray Gadd
Photograph provided by Steve Dondero
Photograph provided by Steve Dondero
Photograph provided by Ray Gadd
Photograph provided by Ray Gadd

Get Involved

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you give back to the Wood River Valley.
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Learn More

Find out how Spur can help your organization succeed.

Pages

Donors

‍Nonprofits

‍About

Nonprofit Downloads

Assessment preview

donor Downloads

DAF Standard Agreement

Spur Downloads

Spur's most recent 990

Contact

Mailing Address: PO Box 6184, Ketchum, ID 83340

Location: 180 East Avenue, Ketchum, ID 83340

AskUs@SpurFoundation.org

‍(208) 450-2600

Nonprofits

GRANT APPLICATION
PORTAL

Grow your impact with with Spur.

Our Approach

We take a partnership approach to working with a wide variety of nonprofits. Our goal is not only to increase overall funding, but to provide guidance and services that help you run a smooth and transparent operation.

Fostering Excellence

At Spur, we actively invest in promoting excellence in Wood River Valley nonprofits. We offer leadership training, communications seminars and access to data to help organizations benchmark their operations.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Participation in our assessment process is voluntary but important to open the full range of grant opportunities with Spur. We use the information we collect to showcase your work to potential donors, and to get a landscape perspective on the sector you work in so we can help identify funding gaps and common challenges.
‍
1. Questionnaire
We start with a questionnaire that captures information ranging from your goals and programs to governance practices and finances. We seek to understand your organization’s priorities, activities, culture, opportunities and challenges to be able to introduce donors to your cause with confidence.
‍
2. Interview
We then follow up with your organization’s leadership to ask questions, get clarification, and ensure we have a thorough understanding of your work.

3. Refresh
We check in periodically to ask for updates and make sure our information stays up to date.
‍
‍

NONPROFIT ADVISING
‍Participation in our assessment process is voluntary but important to open the full range of grant opportunities with Spur. We use the information we collect to showcase your work to potential donors, and to get a landscape perspective on the sector you work in so we can help identify funding gaps and common challenges.
Most of Spur’s advising services are provided cost-free to nonprofits. We consider it essential to our mission of promoting excellence and accountability. Spur provides consulting services to nonprofits across all sectors, advising on:
• strategic plans
• funding and loan applications
• hiring recommendations
• gift processing
• fundraising

‍‍

‍GRANTING
‍Spur distributes discretionary grants on a rolling basis with no specific application timeline. Successful grant applications typically have the following attributes:
• address important community needs
• effectively possess a scope beyond the applicant’s current operations and/or funding sources
• include partnerships and collaboration with other organizations, if applicable
• have specific goals and measurable results