To provide opportunities to deepen public understanding of human experience by connecting people with ideas; promoting greater public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the humanities across Idaho.
A $38,450 general-use grant to Boise State University anchors Idaho Humanities Council Inc.’s recent giving and points to a funder that supports humanities work through institutions, libraries, museums, and public programs across Idaho. The council’s portfolio also includes sizable support for the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, Idaho Public Television, and the Idaho State Historical Society, showing a preference for organizations that interpret history, culture, and public memory for broad audiences. The foundation’s grants are often framed as general support, but the recipient list shows specific humanities activity as well: lectures, local history projects, tribal outreach, museum audience development, and community-based cultural preservation. Idaho recipients dominate the portfolio, with Idaho cities appearing repeatedly in the recent grants table and with only a small share of awards landing outside the state. Several grants also connect to named initiatives rather than unrestricted support, including work in Pocatello and the Wood River region. Taken together, the pattern suggests a statewide humanities funder that works through established cultural institutions while also backing local projects and educator-focused programming.
Local history and public humanities are central to the council’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $10,000 to the City of Pocatello (planning & Development Services) for “The Triangle: Documenting Pocatello’s Historic Multi-Cultural Neighborhood,” a project tied to neighborhood history and cultural understanding. Indigenous and tribal engagement also appears in the recent grants list. The council awarded $10,000 to The Community Library in Ketchum for “The Wood River Museum’s Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Outreach Initiative,” linking a library-based project to tribal outreach. Museum and heritage work is another visible theme. The council gave $11,880 to the Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center Foundation Inc in Moscow, and $10,000 to Trailing of the Sheep Cultural Heritage Center Inc in Hailey, both fitting its support for cultural institutions and heritage preservation. Its public programming emphasis shows up in support for discussion and lecture-based organizations, including The Frank Church Institute and City Club of Boise.
$19K
$2.6M
$1.3M
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $6K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
DAVID PETTYJOHN
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Typical grant sizes cluster around $6,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list shows repeated awards to the same organizations across 2023 and 2024, including Boise State University, Human Rights Education Institute, Basque Museum & Cultural Center, and Sun Valley Museum of Art. That points to recurring relationships rather than one-off grants alone. The council also makes program-related investments. Its active programs include both unsolicited grants and fixed award structures, with several opportunities designed for Idaho teachers, public programs, accessibility work, and community history projects.
Idaho Humanities Council Inc gives almost entirely within Idaho: 96% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Idaho is also the top state by grant count. Boise appears most often, followed by Idaho Falls, Moscow, and Ketchum in the recent grants list. Other Idaho cities represented include Meridian, Victor, Wallace, Sandpoint, Idaho City, Twin Falls, Hailey, Cascade, Salmon, Post Falls, and Elk River. One recent grant also went to Joseph, Oregon, but the overall portfolio is overwhelmingly in-state.
The council funds humanities projects tied to history, culture, literature, public programming, museums, accessibility, and K-12 teacher support. Recent grants include a project on Pocatello’s historic multi-cultural neighborhood, tribal outreach through the Wood River Museum, and general-use support for institutions such as Boise State University and the Idaho State Historical Society.
Typical awards center on $10,000: the 25th percentile is $6,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent grants list also includes larger general-use awards, such as $38,450 to Boise State University and $30,000 to the Basque Museum & Cultural Center.
It supports both. The recent grants list includes repeated awards to organizations across 2023 and 2024, such as Boise State University and Human Rights Education Institute, alongside named project grants like “The Triangle: Documenting Pocatello’s Historic Multi-Cultural Neighborhood.” The portfolio also includes many general-use grants.
Yes. The geographic scope of giving is local, and 96% of grants go to recipients in Idaho. The grants are concentrated in Idaho cities such as Boise, Idaho Falls, Moscow, Ketchum, Meridian, Victor, and Hailey.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including K-12 Grants, CARES Act Grants, Action Grants, Humanities for All Grants, Inquiring Idaho, Major Grants, and the one-time Gem State Grant program.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Idaho Humanities Council that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Any Idaho non-profit or government agency; target audience is the out-of-school adult public.
Deadline: Applications are due on the 1st of the month; decision typically within two weeks.
Who can apply: Any Idaho non-profit or government agency; target audience is the out-of-school adult public.
Deadline: Applications due monthly on the 1st of the month; decision typically within two weeks.
Who can apply: Any individual teacher or school in Idaho, or nonprofits wanting to do projects which focus on K-12 teachers in Idaho can apply.
Deadline: Due for review on the 1st of each month; decisions typically within two weeks.
Who can apply: Community hosts (non-profits, libraries, senior groups, etc.) in Idaho. Hosts may apply for up to four presentations a year. Submit application at least six weeks before lecture date.
Deadline: Submit application at least six weeks before the lecture date. Hosts may apply for up to four presentations a year.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRIENDS OF IDAHO STATE PARKS | BOISE, ID | $7,000 | 2025 | WASSMUTH CENTER EXPANSION STRATEGIC PLANNING PROJECT |
| TERRAGRAPHICS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION | MOSCOW, ID | $6,000 | 2025 | WESTERN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE: HOME ON THE REZ: SOVEREIGNTY AND SUSTAINABILITY |
| CITY CLUB OF BOISE | BOISE, ID | $5,500 | 2025 | THE WOOD RIVER MUSEUM'S SHOSHONE-BANNOCK TRIBES OUTREACH INITIATIVE |
| BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY | BOISE, ID | $38,450 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| BASQUE MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER | BOISE, ID | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION | BOISE, ID | $29,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY | BOISE, ID | $28,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY | IDAHO FALLS, ID | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION INSTITUTE | VICTOR, ID | $24,500 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| HISTORIC WALLACE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | WALLACE, ID | $24,495 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| IDAHO COMMISSION FOR LIBRARIES | BOISE, ID | $22,500 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| MERIDIAN LIBRARY DISTRICT | MERIDIAN, ID | $20,526 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| CITY CLUB OF BOISE | BOISE, ID | $20,500 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| THE IDAHO MYTHWEAVER INC | SANDPOINT, ID | $16,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| IDAHO CITY HISTORICAL FOUNDATION | IDAHO CITY, ID | $15,500 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| THE CABIN | SUN VALLEY, ID | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER OF IDAHO | TWIN FALLS, ID | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| SUN VALLEY MUSEUM OF ART | MOSCOW, ID | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR IDAHO HISTORY | IDAHO FALLS, ID | $12,400 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| APPALOOSA MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTER FOUNDATION INC | MOSCOW, ID | $11,880 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| WISTEQNEEMIT | JOSEPH, OR | $11,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| TRAILING OF THE SHEEP CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER INC | HAILEY, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY | KETCHUM, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | THE WOOD RIVER MUSEUM'S SHOSHONE-BANNOCK TRIBES OUTREACH INITIATIVE |
| MUSEUM OF NORTH IDAHO | BOISE, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| MUSEUM OF IDAHO | POCATELLO, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| PRESERVATION IDAHO | IDAHO FALLS, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| HORIZONS LIFESTYLE AND EDUCATION TEAM | CASCADE, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| ELK RIVER FREE LIBRARY DISTRICT | ELK RIVER, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| WASSMUTH CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS | BOISE, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | WASSMUTH CENTER EXPANSION STRATEGIC PLANNING PROJECT |
| THE ALTURAS INSTITUTE | SALMON, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| THE FRANK CHURCH INSTITUTE | BOISE, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| CITY OF POCATELLO (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES) | POCATELLO, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | THE TRIANGLE: DOCUMENTING POCATELLO'S HISTORIC MULTI-CULTURAL NEIGHBORHOOD |
| EMMETT PUBLIC LIBRARY | POST FALLS, ID | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| BOISE ART MUSEUM | BOISE, ID | $9,570 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| SAWTOOTH INTERPRETIVE & HISTORICAL ASSOCV | MONTPELIER, ID | $9,546 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| GREATER WALLACE CDC | WALLACE, ID | $9,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO | MOSCOW, ID | $8,000 | 2024 | WESTERN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE: HOME ON THE REZ: SOVEREIGNTY AND SUSTAINABILITY |
| FRIENDS OF MINIDOKA | TWIN FALLS, ID | $8,000 | 2024 | NISEI TRIALS -- 80 YEAR ANNIVERSARY |
| FRIENDS OF SCOTCHMAN PEAKS WILDERNESS | SANDPOINT, ID | $7,989 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| CITY OF REXBURG | REXBURG, ID | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| CITY OF CASCADE | CASCADE, ID | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY | BOISE, ID | $7,500 | 2024 | INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPLORATIONS: THE IDEA OF NATURE PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES |
| BEAR RIVER HERITAGE AREA | LOGAN, UT | $7,500 | 2024 | LIVING TRADITIONS: SOUTHEAST IDAHO QUILT SHOWCASE |
| BLAINE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM | HAILEY, ID | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MADISON, IN | $6,800 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| DRY CREEK HISTORICAL SOCIETY | BOISE, ID | $6,500 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| ADA COMMUNITY LIBRARY | BOISE, ID | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| BARNARD STOCKBRIDGE MUSEUM | WALLACE, ID | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| WALLACE DISTRICT MINING MUSEUM | WALLACE, ID | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
| THE COLLEGE OF IDAHO | CALDWELL, ID | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL USE |
FRIENDS OF IDAHO STATE PARKS
$7,000WASSMUTH CENTER EXPANSION STRATEGIC PLANNING PROJECT
TERRAGRAPHICS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
$6,000WESTERN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE: HOME ON THE REZ: SOVEREIGNTY AND SUSTAINABILITY
CITY CLUB OF BOISE
$5,500THE WOOD RIVER MUSEUM'S SHOSHONE-BANNOCK TRIBES OUTREACH INITIATIVE
BASQUE MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER
$30,000GENERAL USE
GENERAL USE
IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$28,000GENERAL USE
THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$25,000GENERAL USE
HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION INSTITUTE
$24,500GENERAL USE
HISTORIC WALLACE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$24,495GENERAL USE
IDAHO COMMISSION FOR LIBRARIES
$22,500GENERAL USE
MERIDIAN LIBRARY DISTRICT
$20,526GENERAL USE
CITY CLUB OF BOISE
$20,500GENERAL USE
THE IDAHO MYTHWEAVER INC
$16,000GENERAL USE
IDAHO CITY HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
$15,500GENERAL USE
HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER OF IDAHO
$15,000GENERAL USE
SUN VALLEY MUSEUM OF ART
$15,000GENERAL USE
THE FOUNDATION FOR IDAHO HISTORY
$12,400GENERAL USE
APPALOOSA MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTER FOUNDATION INC
$11,880GENERAL USE
WISTEQNEEMIT
$11,000GENERAL USE
TRAILING OF THE SHEEP CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER INC
$10,000GENERAL USE
THE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$10,000THE WOOD RIVER MUSEUM'S SHOSHONE-BANNOCK TRIBES OUTREACH INITIATIVE
MUSEUM OF IDAHO
$10,000GENERAL USE
PRESERVATION IDAHO
$10,000GENERAL USE
HORIZONS LIFESTYLE AND EDUCATION TEAM
$10,000GENERAL USE
ELK RIVER FREE LIBRARY DISTRICT
$10,000GENERAL USE
WASSMUTH CENTER EXPANSION STRATEGIC PLANNING PROJECT
THE ALTURAS INSTITUTE
$10,000GENERAL USE
CITY OF POCATELLO (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES)
$10,000THE TRIANGLE: DOCUMENTING POCATELLO'S HISTORIC MULTI-CULTURAL NEIGHBORHOOD
EMMETT PUBLIC LIBRARY
$10,000GENERAL USE
BOISE ART MUSEUM
$9,570GENERAL USE
SAWTOOTH INTERPRETIVE & HISTORICAL ASSOCV
$9,546GENERAL USE
GREATER WALLACE CDC
$9,000GENERAL USE
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
$8,000WESTERN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE: HOME ON THE REZ: SOVEREIGNTY AND SUSTAINABILITY
FRIENDS OF MINIDOKA
$8,000NISEI TRIALS -- 80 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
FRIENDS OF SCOTCHMAN PEAKS WILDERNESS
$7,989GENERAL USE
CITY OF REXBURG
$7,500GENERAL USE
CITY OF CASCADE
$7,500GENERAL USE
BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
$7,500INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPLORATIONS: THE IDEA OF NATURE PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES
BEAR RIVER HERITAGE AREA
$7,500LIVING TRADITIONS: SOUTHEAST IDAHO QUILT SHOWCASE
BLAINE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
$7,500GENERAL USE
JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$6,800GENERAL USE
DRY CREEK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$6,500GENERAL USE
ADA COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$6,000GENERAL USE
BARNARD STOCKBRIDGE MUSEUM
$6,000GENERAL USE
WALLACE DISTRICT MINING MUSEUM
$6,000GENERAL USE
THE COLLEGE OF IDAHO
$6,000GENERAL USE
