Wood River Women’s Foundation awards over $315,000 across Blaine County in 2026 grants cycle, surpassing $5 million in lifetime giving

KETCHUM, ID — The Wood River Women’s Foundation (WRWF) today announced $315,944 in grant funding to 22 nonprofit projects in its 2026 grants cycle, supporting organizations that serve communities across every corner of Blaine County. With this year’s awards, WRWF has now surpassed $5.2 million in total giving since its founding in 2005.

Through the power of collective giving, WRWF members pool their donations to fund meaningful, high-impact work throughout the Valley—from Bellevue to Carey, Hailey to Ketchum, and beyond. This year’s grants support a broad range of critical needs, including access to healthcare, food security, education, emergency services, and the preservation of outdoor spaces that define the region.

The 2026 cycle included several first-time grant recipients—Family Health Services Corporation, the Idaho Foodbank, and the Sawtooth Society—reflecting WRWF’s ongoing commitment to expanding its reach and responding to evolving community needs.

“We believe in the power of women coming together to create meaningful change,” said Jeannie Shroads, Board President of WRWF. “These grants reflect not only generosity, but a deep belief in the nonprofits serving our entire county. From rural communities to our town centers, this funding helps ensure more people have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”

The grantmaking process is member-driven, with 43 volunteers contributing their time and thoughtful evaluation. Notably, nearly half of this year’s Grants Team participated for the first time, underscoring the Foundation’s culture of engagement and shared purpose.

“Our grantmaking reflects the strength of our community and the trust our members place in one another and in the nonprofits we support,” said Carolyn Larsen, Grants Co-Chair. “We are incredibly grateful for the care, collaboration, and dedication of our Grants Team. This process brings people together in a meaningful way, and this is a terrific example of what WRWF members can accomplish together.”

2026 Grant Recipients

Fully Funded Grants:

Blaine County Education Foundation: Fuel their Future — $25,000
Blaine County Recreation District: BCRD Picabo Playground Project — $15,000
Blaine County Senior Connection: Delivery of Essential Services — $25,000
Family Health Services Corporation: Affordable Primary Care in Blaine County — $25,000
Girls on the Run Southern Idaho: Girl Empowerment Programs — $10,000
Hunger Coalition: Hope Garden Infrastructure Project — $25,000
Idaho Foodbank: Carey Mobile Pantry — $5,000
Ketchum Fire District: REALTI Simulation Monitor — $10,165
Sawtooth Society, Inc.: Protecting Recreational Trails — $16,679
St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation: New Mammogram Technology — $25,000
The Community Library Association: Bookmobile Outreach Program — $25,000
The Crisis Hotline: Enhanced Crisis Hotline Services — $25,000
The Space Idaho: Alternative Educational Pathways — $25,000
Wood River Fire & Rescue: Stronger Together Project — $16,000
Wood River Trails Coalition: Fox Bridge Replacement Project — $20,000

Partially Funded Grants:

Far and Wise Inc.: New Elementary Cohort — $3,300
Hailey Ice Park: Free Elementary School Skate Nights — $3,300
Project Big Wood: Fish Passage at Lower Big Wood River Diversion — $3,300
Sun Valley Culinary Institute: Transforming Lives in the Wood River Valley — $3,300
The Building Material Thrift: Diversion & Deconstruction — $3,300
Wood River Community YMCA: Y Summer Education Programs 2026 — $3,300
Wood River Land Trust Company: Howard Preserve Expansion — $3,300

About Wood River Women’s Foundation

The Wood River Women’s Foundation amplifies the power of women’s collective giving to support local nonprofits and create positive change across the Wood River Valley. Members engage through grantmaking, volunteerism, and community connection. Learn more at www.woodriverwomensfoundation.org.