News

The First Federal Foundation is now accepting grant applications as part of its second and final funding period for 2025. Local non-profits have through Friday, November 21 to apply and can do so by visiting BankFirstFed.com/Foundation. In addition to the grant portal, the Foundation’s webpage contains information about the overall application and award process as well as previous non-profits and their projects that received funding. Final grant decisions and the announcement of recipients will occur in early December. During the first funding period of 2025, the First Federal Foundation awarded nearly $50,000 across 16 different organizations.

“We are excited to begin another grant application period,” stated Nick Popplewell, Chief Marketing Officer for First Federal Bank. “The timing of this funding cycle in particular, as it syncs up with the holiday season, always seems to have additional interest from non-profits. It also typically provides some unique opportunities for the Foundation to support the community.”

In order for a grant to be considered for funding, the applying non-profit must reside within Southern Idaho and be based in the Gem State. Also, the application must include a capital project. Overall, submissions are reviewed for their community impact, any humanitarian consideration, if matching funds have been obtained, the project plan and timeline, budget, organizational background, and project objectives. Typically, the minimum grant awarded is approximately $1,000 and the maximum amount is around $5,000.

Valley School District received funding during the first grant cycle of 2025 to purchase additional lunch trays. Tina Irish, Food Service Director for Valley School District, stated, “The grant from the First Federal Foundation has enabled us to double our lunch tray count, allowing us to serve an entire group of students at once, eliminating the need to pause lunch service for washing trays.”

Since 2003, the First Federal Foundation has provided over $1.5 million in funding and assisted more than 200 non-profits. The Foundation’s primary focus is community improvement through support of educational, civic, health, human services, social, and cultural organizations. For more information about the First Federal Foundation, visit BankFirstFed.com/Foundation.