Working Remotely: Week 9

Community Emergency Response Fund

The Community Foundation of Teton Valley’s Community Emergency Response Fund has continued to grow, with charitable funds raised marking $124,363 thanks to generous donations from our community! Of this total, the Community Foundation has distributed $55,000 to the Community Resource Center of Teton Valley and Teton Valley Food Pantry, including a future distribution planned for Seniors West of the Tetons. These dollars are providing necessary relief to those most affected by COVID-19. While funds are currently providing necessities for many valley residents, we understand that the road ahead is going to be a long one for all nonprofit services. We are honored to help fund needs, both immediate and for the future health of our nonprofits.

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Relationships are Key

The onset of summer brings many questions for nonprofit programming, fundraisers, and friend-raisers this year. Navigating community safety, organizational planning, and future funding has been on every nonprofit leader’s mind. Notice from the Community Foundation that we will not host a day in the park and that Tin Cup Event Day will take on a new, virtual form this year has provided a compass point to help lend direction for nonprofits as they deliberate upcoming fundraisers. As they brainstorm unique fundraising opportunities, this year’s Tin Cup Challenge will be a critical conduit to obtain vital funds for many local nonprofits.

The Community Foundation’s virtual Weekly Nonprofit Check-Ins have served to help keep nonprofit leaders connected with each other. These relationships and those with our constituents are vital in normal times. In the age of Coronavirus, they are key to identifying avenues of support and finding a path to make it through these uncertain times and return to a thriving community.

Across the board, local nonprofits are re-evaluating their programming, systems, and over-arching models to accommodate the drastic changes Coronavirus has brought to our day-to-day reality: 

• Education Foundation of Teton Valley – has transitioned their annual THS Academic Awards Banquet, honoring the top 10% of students and their significant educators, to a newspaper format this year. Look for it in the coming weeks in the Teton Valley News.
• Lucky Dog Thrift Store – is accepting donations by appointment and planning to open on May 20th with safe systems in place for accepting donations and shopping.
• HAPI Trails – enjoyed a recent horse adoption of one of their minis!
• Seniors West of the Tetons – is tentatively planning to open on June 15th, upon Idaho moving into Stage 4. They are trying to anticipate what their daily lunches will look like on-site and what protective systems they can have in place to keep constituents safe.
• Teton Geo Center – will not open before June. They have a wonderful exhibit in partnership with Friends of the Teton River with photography by Camrin Dengel that they are eager to share in person.
• Teton Regional Economic Coalition – is working with Eastern Idaho Public Health to help restaurants adhere to new systems and social distancing guidelines and open on May 16th. Equally, they are assisting in coordinating on the reopening of lodging slated for June 1st. 
• Teton Regional Land Trust – is hosting their 3rd Lessons from the Land talk on Iconic Rivers of the Region this Friday.
• Teton Valley Foundation – has currently postponed Music on Main programming until July 9th.
• Teton Valley Mental Health Coalition – is celebrating Mental Health May with a campaign to Move in May for Mental Health – tag #tvmoves
• Teton Valley Ski Education – is working hard to engage youth and their athletes to get outside and maintain activity during this tenuous time.

Local nonprofits are working to engage youth, recognize achievements, share resources, provide educational opportunities, and replace their traditional fundraisers with alternatives.

The Community Foundation understands the long-term necessity for our valley to include services that address all aspects of life in Teton Valley – animal rescue, arts & culture, civic & service, conservation & environment, education, and sports & recreation. Together, with the support of our entire community, we hope that the Tin Cup Challenge will provide necessary support for local nonprofits and ensure future programming that feeds the whole valley.

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Virtual Pocket Talk

Navigating the Market Jungle on Wednesday, May 20th from Noon – 1 PM

Tune-in to listen to Teton Valley’s “ad-woman” – Jeanette Boner, Editor of Teton Valley News, to learn more about advertising in the Teton Valley Idaho area and whether it might be the right fit for your nonprofit.  Learn about touchpoints, brand recognition, cross-selling, audience extension, and more. Join us for this informative presentation with time reserved for questions and answers. RSVP here.

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Tin Cup Challenge 2020

The Community Foundation is excited for the opening of the Giving Period on Monday, June 1st – look for Tin Cup Challenge brochures in your mailboxes soon! While we’ll miss our traditional celebration in the Driggs City Park, we’re excited to share new activities throughout the Giving Period and on Event Day, Saturday, July 18th. Stay tuned!

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At the Community Foundation

The Community Foundation will reopen in accordance with state-mandated dates related to Stage II of Idaho’s plan to reopen state-wide. Additionally, with the Tin Cup Challenge Program fast-approaching, the Community Foundation is working to determine how we can best engage participation in the Tin Cup Challenge on behalf of local nonprofits during this year’s Tin Cup Challenge Giving Period.

Foundation staff is currently working from home and continues to be available by phone, email, and Zoom! Mail is picked up daily with business continuing, as we prepare for the opening of the 13th Annual Tin Cup Challenge Giving Period on June 1st.