How NeighborWorks® Helps in Idaho Gives

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Giving Back: NeighborWorks® Role in Idaho Gives

More than any other day of the year, Idaho Gives is an event that brings the Idaho community together to help non-profits and charities across the state. This 72-hour online fundraising event helps spread awareness of non-profits and their work, and illustrates the power of collective giving. No matter how big or small your donations are, they can culminate into something extraordinary during Idaho Gives. For NeighborWorks® Boise, this event is one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year, and for good reason. Let’s look into what makes this day so unique.

What Is Idaho Gives?

Idaho Gives is a statewide event where people can fundraise for their favorite local non-profits and charities online. The Idaho Nonprofit Center organizes it annually around the spring to spread awareness of Idaho’s charities. It is often one of the year’s most significant Idaho fundraising events. Often, many staple Idaho businesses and organizations will participate and help spread the word about the event to help encourage further participation. Most notably, sponsors like Idaho Central Credit Union, KTVB, and the Idaho National Laboratory are all local organizations that support Idaho Gives.

The History of Idaho Gives

Idaho Gives first started in 2013 when the Idaho Nonprofit Center wanted to find a way to reach new audiences in Idaho and cultivate donation and volunteer opportunities for the public. That year, 541 non-profit causes participated, resulting in $578,735. Every year, these donations grow as more nonprofit organizations and charities join the movement, along with other supporters, donors, and volunteers. In 2023, the 10th anniversary of the first Idaho Gives, the Idaho Nonprofit Center reported over $4 million in donations to over 624 organizations, almost ten times its total donations from 2013. This growth indicates that as Idaho grows, so does its charitable spirit.

NeighborWorks® Boise Role in Idaho Gives

NeighborWorks® has participated in Idaho Gives for eight years now . Every year, we spread awareness for Idaho Gives to help fund our volunteer event, Paint the Town™, which occurs soon after Idaho Gives. During this event, NeighborWorks® and some of Idaho’s best volunteers help paint houses for Idaho residents who are either older, have disabilities, veterans, or otherwise physically incapable of painting their homes.

Along with helping provide the tools, volunteer incentives, and other necessary items for Paint the Town™, Idaho Gives proceeds help with NeighborWorks® Boise’s yearly goals of helping low to moderate-income households obtain and keep affordable housing.

NeighborWorks® Boise has raised thousands of dollars for these functions through Idaho Gives. In 2024 alone, we raised $13,155 from donors to serve these necessary and helpful causes.

NeighborWorks® Plan for Idaho Gives 2025

Similar to previous years, all proceeds from Idaho Gives 2025 will go directly to Paint the Town™ and other programs such as:

  • Affordable rental housing units: NeighborWorks® Boise has hundreds of affordable multi-family rental units for low-to-moderate income houses to use in an increasingly growing area.
  • Homebuyer education: NeighborWorks® Boise provides homebuyer education courses that provide information on topics such as budgeting tips, the lending process, available loans, home maintenance costs, and more.
  • Homebuyer counseling: NeighborWorks® Boise has a team of financial counselors who can provide a free consultation to evaluate your financial situation and guide you to grants and first-time home buyer financial assistance programs to make homeownership more accessible.
  • Home repair: Through the Meridian Homeowner Repair Program, NeighborWorks® Boise provides financial assistance and physical help to those who cannot afford or complete home repairs independently.

Ultimately, these programs help make homeownership more affordable and accessible to those who cannot afford or physically obtain it.

How Donors Can Support NWBoise During Idaho Gives

Donors can help support NeighborWorks® Boise by visiting the Idaho Gives website during the 72-hour fundraising window. In 2025, that window will be from midnight on April 28th to 11 p.m. on May 1st. From here, you can choose NeighborWorks® as the organization you’d like to donate to and proceed by filling out your desired donation and financial information. You can also give to NeighborWorks® Boise directly during this time, and we’ll happily provide a secure donation experience.

Note that you aren’t limited to donating during this timeframe, either. You can always donate after the fact; we’d be more than happy to use the funds for our cause! Our Idaho Gives process primarily funds our Paint the Town™ event, so if you’d like to support that volunteer effort, it may be best to mark your calendar today for Idaho Gives 2025!

How Volunteers Can Support NWBoise During Idaho Gives

If you don’t have the funds to donate during Idaho Gives, don’t worry! There are other ways you can give back to NeighborWorks® Boise through volunteer efforts. Since all of Idaho Gives proceeds benefit our Paint the Town™ event, volunteering during this event can be a great way to show up for NeighborWorks®’ causes when we need it the most. You can sign up by checking out our volunteer opportunities.

You can also check out our other volunteer opportunities, such as:

  • Rake Up Boise™: Similar to Paint the Town™, Rake Up Boise™ provides an essential home maintenance task, raking leaves, to those who may be unable to do it themselves.
  • HomeBuyer Education: If you are a financial expert, home inspector, lender, real estate agent, or home insurance agent, your knowledge and expertise can help potential Idaho homebuyers as they learn more about the buying process.
  • Resident Services: NeighborWorks® Boise has nearly 300 affordable rental units for communities across the Treasure Valley. We host resident services for these units, such as youth programs or community-building exercises that require volunteers.
  • NW Committees: You can always consider applying to our board of directors responsible for managing NeighborWorks® Boise or one of our committees.

You can also host a fundraising event in your local community, school, workplace, or religious organization to help raise funds for our volunteer events. No matter what you choose to do to help, anything helps!

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Other Giving Opportunities

Idaho Gives isn’t the only fundraising event NeighborWorks® Boise participates in. We also work with Avenues for Hope, a giving event for housing-related programs and non-profits organized by the Home Partnership Foundation. This event typically takes place in December, and all proceeds go to our Resident Services Program, which provides essential services to NeighborWorks® rental facilities. Specifically, it includes youth programs, a food pantry, sports equipment for young residents, and community-building events. In 2023, we received over $26,000 in donations benefiting the Treasure Valley community.

Ultimately, Idaho Gives is a testament to the connection between Idaho residents and non-profits. We live in a community filled with charity. More than anything, Idaho Gives illustrates that giving isn’t a seasonal activity. With your help, you can make a difference by donating and volunteering with NeighborWorks® Boise year-round.

FAQs About Idaho Gives and NeighborWorks® Boise

What Is Idaho Gives?

Idaho Gives is an annual event that brings together residents of Idaho to support non-profit organizations across the state. It is a 72-hour online giving event that encourages philanthropy and highlights the work of various non-profits. The goal is to raise funds and awareness for these organizations, making it easy for Idahoans to contribute to causes they care about.

When Does Idaho Gives Take Place?

Idaho Gives typically occurs in the spring. In 2025, it will take place from April 28th to May 1st. The event spans 72 hours, allowing participants to donate over several days.

How Can I Participate in Idaho Gives?

Participation in Idaho Gives is simple. On the day of the event, you can visit the Idaho Gives website, browse the list of participating non-profit organizations, and donate to the ones you wish to support. You can also promote the event and your chosen non-profits on social media to help raise awareness.

What Is NeighborWorks® Boise?

NeighborWorks® Boise (NWBoise) is a non-profit organization that provides moderate—to low-income residents with opportunities for affordable housing, homeownership, and community development in the Boise area. They also organize various volunteer events to better the Treasure Valley community, including Paint the Town™ and Rake up the Town™, to assist residents who cannot afford or perform these tasks independently.

How Has NWBoise Participated in Idaho Gives in the Past?

NWBoise has actively participated in Idaho Gives for several years. The organization has used the event to raise funds for its volunteer event, Paint the Town™, and other housing and community programs, engage with donors and volunteers, and increase awareness about its mission.

How Can I Donate to NWBoise During Idaho Gives?

You can donate to NWBoise by visiting the Idaho Gives website on the event day, searching for NeighborWorks® Boise, and making an online donation. You can also donate directly to NeighborWorks® Boise’s website.

How Can I Volunteer with NWBoise for Idaho Gives?

Visit their website to volunteer with NWBoise for Idaho Gives and learn about available opportunities. For example, you can volunteer for their Paint the Town™ event, which all Idaho Gives proceeds contribute to.