About Jr Simplot Foundation
The J.R. Simplot Foundation concentrates its recent funding on higher education in Idaho, exemplified by a single large grant to the University of Idaho. This suggests a priority on strengthening the state’s flagship public university—likely for academic programs, research, scholarships, or capital needs—rather than a broad diversified giving portfolio.
Focus Areas
Public Higher Education Support in Idaho (University of Idaho)University-level programmatic or capital support (scholarships, research, facilities)Statewide educational advancement tied to Boise-area philanthropic priorities
Who They Fund
college and university studentsK-12 arts studentsunderserved individuals and communitiespeople experiencing homelessnessperforming artists and ensembleslocal community audiences
About Jr Simplot Foundation
Jr Simplot Foundation Inc’s recent grantmaking is anchored by large higher-education gifts in Idaho, including $2.3 million to Idaho State University and two grants to the University of Idaho totaling $3.0 million in 2025. That pattern points to a funder that uses a small number of high-value awards to support the state’s public universities, alongside a broader set of institutional grants in Boise. The foundation also appears in Idaho’s arts and culture ecosystem through recurring support for Ballet Idaho, Opera Idaho, and the Boise Philharmonic Assoc, each receiving six-figure grants across multiple years. Smaller awards extend to community-serving organizations such as Boys & Girls Club of Ada County and Boise Rescue Mission, showing a mix of education, arts, and direct-service support. Across the recent grants list, the giving is entirely in Idaho, with most awards centered in Boise and other in-state locations. The pattern suggests a locally focused foundation that funds both large-scale university support and steady community-based operating or program needs.
What Jr Simplot Foundation Funds
Higher education is the clearest area of emphasis. In 2025, Jr Simplot Foundation Inc gave $2.3 million to Idaho State University for higher education, and it also made two grants to the University of Idaho totaling $3.0 million. Beyond universities, the foundation backs arts education and performance organizations. Ballet Idaho received $100,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for ballet education, while Opera Idaho received $100,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for opera production. Boise Philharmonic Assoc also received $100,000 grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for music education. The portfolio extends to venue and presentation support as well, including grants to Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy for performance venue support and a $30,000 grant to Zoo Boise for community display.
How Jr Simplot Foundation Gives
Typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s largest awards: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $3,000, and the 75th percentile is $6,000. That distribution sits alongside a few very large university grants, which pushes the overall annual total much higher than the median award. The recent list shows repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, especially in arts and education, indicating recurring relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is not a funder of individuals and does not make program-related investments, so its support is delivered as grants. No application process is shown in the data.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$4.6M
Total Assets
$287.7M
Total Revenue
$9.9M
Total Expenses
$13.2M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $1K and $6K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$6K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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