Innovia Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $13.7 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 4-5 months for Community Grants
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $30,000 (varies by programme)
• Geographic Focus: 20 counties across Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho

Contact Details

Website: https://www.innovia.org Phone: Not specified in research Email: Not specified in research Address: Spokane, WA

Overview

Founded in 1974, Innovia Foundation is a community foundation serving Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho with total assets exceeding $216 million. The foundation's mission is to "ignite generosity that transforms lives and communities," working through donor-advised funds and strategic grant programmes to create sustainable change across their 20-county service region. With annual expenses of over $13 million, Innovia has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator (99%) for their financial efficiency and transparency. The foundation manages multiple grant programmes targeting different geographic areas and focus areas, from small community grants to larger strategic investments.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Community Grants Programme

• Amount: Up to $30,000 (typical range $10,000 - $20,000)
• Application Period: Mid-December through end of January
• Decision Timeline: Awards announced in late May
• Grant Period: June 1 to May 31

Columbia County Children's Fund

• Amount: Typically less than $4,000
• Focus: Educational enrichment and children's services
• Application Period: May to mid-June
• Awards announced: Mid-September
• Grant Period: October 1 to September 30

Equinox Foundation Grant Programme

• Amount: $2,000 - $30,000
• Geographic Focus: Bonner and Boundary counties, North Idaho
• Application Period: Opens in March
• Awards announced: Early July
• Grant Period: August 1 to July 31

Grants to Individuals Programme

• Focus: Scholarships for students
• Geographic areas: Western Spokane County, Lincoln County (WA), Bonner County (ID)

Priority Areas

Innovia Foundation's strategic goals focus on three key areas:

1. Ensuring everyone's basic needs are met
2. Catalysing innovation and collaboration to support the economy
3. Opening doors to success for children and adults through education and support

The foundation concentrates grantmaking in five impact areas that contribute to building vibrant and sustainable communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not detailed in available research

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

• Shelly O'Quinn, CEO (Compensation: $301,304)
• Lauren Autrey, CFO (Compensation: $172,482)
• Aaron Mc Murray, Chief Strategy Officer (Compensation: $163,838)
• Molly Sanchez, Chief Community Investment Officer (Compensation: $133,204)
• Ben Small, Executive Director (Compensation: $140,548)

The foundation maintains a 100% independent board with 12 members, demonstrating strong governance practices with conflict of interest and whistleblower policies in place.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through programme-specific processes, with most major grant programmes operating on annual cycles. The Community Grants Programme, their flagship offering, accepts applications from mid-December through January with an early bird deadline typically in early January.

Decision Timeline

• Community Grants: 4-5 months from application deadline to announcement
• Columbia County Children's Fund: 3-4 months
• Equinox Foundation: 3-4 months

Applications are reviewed by committees and recommendations are made to the board for final approval.

Success Rates

Success rates and competitiveness data not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies not specified in available research

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's strategic goals and evaluation practices, successful applications should:

• Demonstrate clear alignment with Innovia's three strategic goals
• Present SMART goals with measurable outcomes
• Include robust evaluation plans showing how impact will be tracked
• Address needs in the foundation's 20-county service area
• Show evidence of community need through assessments or data
• Demonstrate organisational capacity to deliver on proposed outcomes

The foundation values innovation and collaboration, particularly projects that catalyse broader community change. Given their emphasis on programme evaluation, applicants should be prepared to collect demographic data and report results to stakeholders.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity matters - Innovia operates multiple programmes targeting specific counties, so ensure your project clearly serves the appropriate geographic area for the grant programme • Plan ahead for annual cycles - Most programmes have fixed application windows, with the major Community Grants opening in December for the following fiscal year • Evaluation is critical - The foundation emphasises robust programme evaluation, so include clear metrics, data collection plans, and reporting commitments • Consider programme fit carefully - With grants ranging from under $4,000 to $30,000 across different programmes, match your request to the appropriate programme's typical award size • Demonstrate sustainability - As a community foundation focused on creating "sustainable change," show how your project will have lasting impact beyond the grant period • LaunchNW connection - The foundation highlights LaunchNW as a specific programme initiative, suggesting alignment with entrepreneurship and economic development may be advantageous

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Innovia Foundation (EIN: 910941053), accessed December 2024
• Charity Navigator - Innovia Foundation Profile, accessed December 2024
• GuideStar - Innovia Foundation Profile (91-0941053), accessed December 2024
• Innovia Foundation website (www.innovia.org), accessed December 2024