Driggs, ID, July 20, 2026 – The Community Foundation of Teton Valley proudly recognizes Sue Heffron, Executive Director of the Teton Valley Food Pantry, as the recipient of the 2026 Dawn Banks Nonprofit Leadership Award. This award, named in memory of a cherished local advocate, honors nonprofit leaders who demonstrate excellence, teamwork, and a meaningful community impact. Sue’s outstanding contributions as a dedicated local leader exemplify the highest standards of nonprofit best practices.

Now in its tenth year, the Dawn Banks Nonprofit Leadership Award holds a special place in the community. It reflects a shared commitment to recognizing nonprofit leaders whose vision, dedication, and service have made Teton Valley stronger. In recognition of Sue’s achievements, the Community Foundation of Teton Valley awarded a $1,000 grant to the Teton Valley Food Pantry.

For more than three decades, Sue Heffron has called Teton Valley home, cultivating not only gardens at high elevations but also a deep commitment to nourishing her community. As Executive Director of the Teton Valley Food Pantry, Sue has guided the organization through years of remarkable growth, from a small pantry serving local families to one of the valley’s most vital community resources, now serving more than 1,000 neighbors each month. Along the way, she has led through unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded community partnerships, empowered hundreds of volunteers, and ensured every neighbor seeking assistance is welcomed with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Under Sue’s leadership, the Pantry has grown beyond food distribution to become a trusted community hub. She has championed strong partnerships with local farmers, businesses, schools, and service organizations to increase access to fresh, nutritious food and strengthen the local network of care. Her leadership has fostered a culture in which collaboration, rather than competition, enables organizations to better serve the community together.

Sue has also been instrumental in strengthening cross-agency collaboration among local social service providers, including the Community Resource Center, Family Safety Network, and the Mental Health Coalition. Together, these organizations are working toward a long-term vision to co-locate services in a shared space where community members can access food security, mental health support, family safety resources, and other essential services under one roof.

Leading with a remarkable combination of compassion, collaboration, and clear communication, Sue embodies the spirit of nonprofit leadership. She continually seeks opportunities for learning and improvement, regularly participating in trainings and workshops hosted by the Community Foundation to strengthen organizational best practices, invest in her staff and volunteers, and cultivate a healthy, welcoming workplace.

Those who know Sue often remark on her humility. She is quick to credit the Pantry’s dedicated volunteers, generous donors, community partners, and hardworking staff for the organization’s success. Yet it is Sue’s steady leadership, thoughtful vision, and genuine care for others that have helped shape the Teton Valley Food Pantry into an organization that not only meets immediate needs but also strengthens the fabric of this community.

The Community Foundation is honored to recognize Sue Heffron with the 2026 Dawn Banks Nonprofit Leadership Award and celebrates her enduring impact on Teton Valley and the countless lives she has touched through her service.

About the Community Foundation of Teton Valley

The mission of the Community Foundation of Teton Valley is to elevate lives through the power of generosity. We seek to achieve our mission by empowering donors, championing local nonprofits, promoting a culture of giving, and serving as a catalyst in addressing critical community needs. The Community Foundation hosts the Tin Cup Challenge, an annual fundraiser that in just 18 years has raised over $30.8 million for Teton Valley nonprofits. For more information, please visit www.cftetonvalley.org or call the office at (208) 354-0230.