The Innovia Foundation is accepting applications for funding through its annual Community Grants Program.

Innovia is a community foundation that serves 20 counties in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. The Community Grants, totaling more than $1 million, will be awarded in the following impact areas:

• Arts and culture — Supporting the arts as economic drivers, educational assets, civic catalysts and bridges between cultures.

• Health and well-being — Meeting basic human needs, including food, shelter, access to health care and mental health support.

• Economic opportunity — Reducing barriers to economic opportunity, security and/or mobility for low-income individuals and families, and supporting community economic development activities.

• Education and youth development — Opening doors to success for children and adults by ensuring they have access to education and the support needed to learn, grow and thrive; quality child care and early childhood education.

• Quality of life — Increasing access to opportunities for safe public gathering spaces, social-emotional support and connection to animals and nature.

Applications are due by Feb. 16. Awards will be announced May 22. The maximum award amount is $20,000, with most grants in the range of $2,500-$15,000. Grant awards are for a one-year period from June 1 to May 30, 2024.

The Community Grants Program is made possible by donors who have established funds at Innovia for the purpose of addressing critical needs and compelling opportunities in communities across the region, with input from local advisory committees.

At the recommendation of local advisory committees, this year’s primary focus will be to support proposals that have the potential to increase social connections and help communities develop more supporting, caring and inclusive relationships.

“While we are committed to funding projects across all our impact areas, our local community partners recognize the need to re-establish community bonds after the isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as widening political and social divides,” Innovia CEO Shelly O’Quinn said in a Thursday news release.

The Innovia Foundation partners with people who want to improve their communities and make the world better. It works to identify and respond to the Inland Northwest’s greatest opportunities, help those in need and leave a lasting impact. Innovia's mission is to ignite generosity that transforms lives and communities with a vision for vibrant and sustainable communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive. Each year, the Innovia Foundation invests nearly $10 million in local communities through grants and scholarships.

Visit innovia.org for information about the grant program, including a recorded video webinar.