Each year, the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force (BCHRTF) seeks to fund projects and programs that support our stated mission: to affirm the American principles and ideas of the inviolable dignity and worth of each human being and recognize that everyone is equal under state and federal laws and constitutions.
The BCHRTF hopes to sponsor programs and projects that enhance human rights, focus on community education, and celebrate the fact that it is the racial, social, and cultural diversity of our people that makes Bonner County a rich and worthwhile place to live.
Grant requests up to $8000 will be considered. The average award is about $2250 per grant recipient Click the links below to
Learn more, or
The Bonner County Endowment for Human Rights empowers those working to
strengthen our community.
History of the grant
The Bonner County Human Rights Task Force’s responsibility is to affirm the American principles and ideals of the inviolable dignity and worth of each human being that recognizes that everyone is equal under our state and federal laws and constitutions. BCHRTF was founded in 1992 to support human rights through community education and advocacy.
In 2012 the BCHRTF received a $370,000 bequest from the estate of Dorothy Adler. Recognizing that this gift came with a moral obligation to ensure it be used in a financially responsible manner that would have the greatest impact on the quality of life for Bonner County residents, the board we elected to place the funds in a donor advised fund administered by the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF).
The BCHRTF board of directors recommends distribution of those funds to grantees that develop programs and projects that enhance human rights and celebrate diversity.
"The Bonner County Endowment gave us the funds we needed to get our project across the finish line. Without it, we wouldn't have been able to fulfill our project goals and reach so many kids."
2021 Grant Recipients
Bonner Community Food Bank
Community Cancer Services
Sandpoint Music Conservatory
Friends of the Shelter – now Better Together Animal Alliance
Panhandle Community Radio
Panida Theater Committee
POAC—Pend Oreille Arts Committee
Priest River Ministries
Project 7B
Sandpoint Waldorf School
Sandpoint Youth Center
Unique Center for Athletes of all Needs
Grant cycle will open in January. All grants are due the last day of April.
2020 Grant Recipients
NAMI Far North -- for North Idaho Crisis Line
Pend Oreille Arts Council-- for Living Voice
Priest River Ministries-- shelter and services for victims of domestic violence
Sandpoint Music Conservatory
Sandpoint Youth Center
Sandpoint High School Model United Nations program
In addition, contributions were made from the Endowment Fund to the following organizations for services they provided as a result of Covid-19:
Bonner Community Food Bank
Bonner General Hospital
Eureka Institute
Sandpoint Resource Center
Priest River Ministries
Grant cycle will open in January. All grants are due the last day of April.
Past Recipients
Academy of NW Writers & Publishers
Pay for advertising in Bee, Reader, etc., for Shakespeare in the Park and Fine Arts & Culture event
Bonner Community Food Center
100 walking homeless food kits and socks
Bonner Partners in Care Clinic
Outreach and extra clinics and services
First Judicial District CASA Program
Training 18 CASA Advocates
First Lutheran Church
for Diversity Workshop put on by youth in the Design for Change program
First Presbyterian Church
Interactive Blanket Exercise for 60-80 local leaders
Idaho Mythweaver
Native Heritage film series
KRFY
To sponsor a free showing of "RBG" -- the Ruth Bader Ginsberg story
Lake Pend Oreille School District & Sandpoint High School
Support for Model UN program
Music Conservatory of Sandpoint
Expand after-school outreach and summer camps & concerts including Celebration of Arts & Culture
NAMI Far North
Pay clinicians to answer phones after-hrs and weekends/crisis line
Panhandle Community Radio
“Woodstock” to Panida on Aug. 16
Panida Theater Committee
Human Experience series-- year long international film series
Pend Oreille Arts Council
Half cost of Living Voices , March 2020
Priest River High School
Provide relevant, interactive discussion topics to build more positive culture in school
Sandpoint Friends
Add additional languages to Peace Pole and plant new Peace Pole in CF
Sandpoint Seniors
Purchase food for Sr or Daybreak Ctr for meals or are homebound seniors
Sandpoint Waldorf School
curriculum on responsible, respectful use of digital media