Idaho Gives' kicks off key week for Kootenai County nonprofits
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months AGO
Russell Smith of the Coeur d'Alene Lions Club and his companion participate in Idaho Gives kickoff at Companions Animal Center on Tuesday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | April 29, 2025 1:08 AM
The Furry Farm Rescue is counting on donations so it can continue to help homeless dogs like Emily.
The timid terrier mix was doing her best to be brave during the kickoff to Idaho Gives week Monday at Companions Animal Center.
"She’s very sweet,” said Federica Pierantoni with Furry Farm Rescue.
The nonprofit based in Rathdrum was established in 2017 and specializes in providing acute care, long-term recovery and rehabilitation. It’s run by volunteers and is foster-based, so contributions go straight to the dogs.
“We have a dog right now that’s probably over $6,000 in medical costs. She's had literally everything under the sun happen to her,” Pierantoni said.
Success during Idaho Gives week is key to their mission to find treatment and homes for such animals.
“Every year it’s been wonderful,” Pierantoni said. “This is super important for us."
Nearly 20 nonprofits shared their life-changing and life-saving missions at Companions Animal Center on Atlas Road for the Idaho Gives awareness event, including Canopy Village, Habitat for Humanity North Idaho, Idaho Trail Association and Mountain States Early Head Start.
Idaho Gives is the state’s largest collective giving campaign, taking place April 28 to May 1.
This annual online event unites thousands of Idahoans to support the nonprofits that make Idaho communities “stronger, healthier, and more vibrant," a press release said.
Idaho Gives, a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center and The Idaho Community Foundation, is designed to elevate the work of nonprofits and make it easy for donors to discover and support causes they care about.
Last year, more than 13,600 Idahoans raised $4.3 million for more than 600 nonprofits.
It was off to a strong start on day one this year, with more than $1 million in donations and gifts still coming in.
“Idaho Gives is a powerful reminder that when Idahoans come together — even in small ways — we can make a big difference,” according to a press release.
Sarah Lynch, executive director of the North Idaho Pride Alliance and a regional coordinator for Idaho Gives, said that nationwide, giving is down about 10%. She said nearly 65% of Kootenai County nonprofits are at risk of losing federal funding and if that happened, many would be operating in the red.
“Our nonprofits here are doing critical work for our area,” Lynch said. “We can’t do it without donations.”
Vicky Nelson, Companions Animal Center director of development, said Monday’s showcase was a chance for nonprofits to meet with the public and highlight what they do.
“It lets the community know how Idaho runs on nonprofits,” she said.
Nelson said people may not be aware of the impact of nonprofits. Their work affects housing, education and veterans. They care for seniors, protect natural resources and feed families.
There are more than 9,000 nonprofits in Idaho, according to the Idaho Nonprofit Center.
"Without them, it would be a different world,” Nelson said.
Info: idahogives.org
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