SANDPOINT — Nonprofit organizations across Bonner County aiming to promote conservation, draw attention to mental health, address food insecurity and enhance the community in other ways have joined forces this week for the first-ever Live Give 7B fundraising campaign. 

More than 70 nonprofits are participating in the initiative, which seeks to put a spotlight on the many groups that help Bonner County thrive. 

“We want to bring focus to nonprofits, thank our businesses for being the backbone of the community and supporting us, drive some local giving, and then celebrate,” explained Dig Chrismer, Innovia Foundation rural engagement manager and Live Give 7B organizer.

According to Chrismer, the idea for a joint drive was borne out of conversations at a recurring monthly meeting of local nonprofit leaders. 

Chrismer, Community Resource EnVision Center executive director Katie Begalke and Kaniksu Land Trust executive director Katie Cox formed an organizing committee and secured an Equinox Foundation grant to fund the effort. The trio then established the plan to coordinate an awareness campaign, which Chrismer said can help small nonprofits that “could be one person or a handful of volunteers who don't really have the resources to do a big marketing campaign like this for donations.” 

In addition to promoting awareness of nonprofits, Chrismer said that Live Give 7B aims to use social media to highlight the “unique and creative” ways local businesses support charitable causes. 

Chrismer pointed to the takeover events hosted at Ponderay restaurant Sweet Lou’s, which allow local student organizations and athletic teams to work for an evening and take home 20% of the revenue and Northwest Autobody’s “Deervember” event — a monthlong initiative during which the business donates $50 to Bonner Community Food Bank for every vehicle that comes into the shop with damage from an accidental animal strike. 

“They're always there for us, so we just want to make sure that we give them some love,” she said. 

After the campaign ends Friday evening, community members are invited to celebrate with the organizations at Matchwood Brewing in Sandpoint and Timber Town Beer Company in Priest River. 

In the future, the organizing committee hopes to increase the number of nonprofits and businesses involved in the campaign to further the reach and expand the network of awareness. 

“We'd love to see this become an annual campaign,” Chrismer said. “Our hope is that people really look forward to this every year.”