COEUR d'ALENE — The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations Thursday announced it received $25,000 from the Gregory C. Carr Foundation, which will become an annual gift from philanthropist Greg Carr.

Carr, an Idaho native, is well known internationally for his commitment to civil and human rights, the environment, health and economic progress not only in Idaho but also around the world.

“For more than 20 years, I have been a witness to Greg’s commitment and total devotion to the well-being of the human race," said Tony Stewart, Carr’s longtime close friend. “Greg’s work is felt around the world as he makes life better for millions of people.”

Stewart said no one in North Idaho has contributed more financially to advance human rights here. Years ago, Carr donated $1 million for the task force's human rights work in North Idaho. He also purchased the Aryan Nations property after the court trial 20 years ago, deeding the restored property to the North Idaho College Foundation.

That property was recently sold with the funds used to establish the NIC Gregory C. Carr Human Rights Permanent Endowment, as well as other projects across Idaho.

Carr, born and raised in Idaho, said he is happy to support the Kootenai County Human Rights Task Force because it is an organization that promotes dialogue and understanding. It doesn’t call on people to vote in a certain way or believe in a specific thing.

“We need to create an environment where people just listen to each other,” Carr said Thursday in a phone interview with The Press.

People have different opinions, he said, but it doesn’t mean something has to be right and someone has to be wrong.

“It might mean we have different life experiences,” he said.

By listening more, and talking less, people can build trust, Carr said.

“And maybe after a long time or short time, people who think they disagree might find out they actually agree on some things,” he said.

“We’re saying create conditions where people can sit respectfully, peacefully and listen to each other,” Carr said.

In an upcoming book by Gonzaga University Associate Professor Kristine Hoover, “Countering Hate: Leadership Cases of Non-Violent Action,” the author profiles the impact Carr has had on the region.

Stewart compared Carr’s global work and contributions to be in the same vein as a number of past prominent recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Greg’s annual generous gift will give us the ability to greatly expand our ongoing efforts to promote and advance our human rights work,” said KCTFHR President Christie Wood.