An Overview of the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation’s Idaho Grantmaking

One of the most well-established and influential private grantmakers in the state of Idaho is the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation. Since 1963, this funder has been supporting local organizations through competitive grants and scholarships to further the family’s philanthropic legacy. This is also an accessible foundation that accepts inquires from all qualified, tax-exempt Idaho nonprofits.

To help Idaho organizations get ready for the next grant cycle, here is an overview of how the Cunningham Foundation awards grants and the steps involved in securing a grant.

Three major priorities

The Cunningham Foundation supports numerous nonprofit organizations, but specifies three major priorities for its giving. They are: rural healthcare, educational programs for children, and programs for underserved populations in underserved communities. Overall, the Cunningham Foundation is interested in funding organizations that serve large numbers of people who are truly in need of help, as well as organizations that are run in a cost-effective way.

Various types of funding

Something else to know about the Cunningham Foundation is that it does not limit itself to just one type of grantmaking. The foundation awards grants for general operating support, programs, brick-and-mortar projects, equipment, salaries and benefits. But note that the foundation prefers not to provide grants for nonprofits’ administrative costs.

One grant cycle per year

The Cunningham Foundation has one grantmaking cycle per year, which typically opens around March 1. The foundation requires that applicants submit their requests through an online portal before a May 1st deadline. It does not accept any requests submitted by mail or email. It makes grant announcements and disbursements by the end of August. The online portal is also where grantees must submit their final grant report to be considered for future funding opportunities.

Examples of past grantees

In a recent year, the Cunningham Foundation awarded more than $4.1 million in grants and scholarships. Grants can range all the way from $250 to $500,000 and go toward everything from library renovations to historic preservation efforts, lab equipment, summer concerts, art programs and adaptive sports programs. Almost all grantees are based in and serve Idaho, with the list of recent grantees including Oneida County Hospital, Readers Theater Works and the Rising Stars Therapeutic Riding Center.

If you would like to learn more about this funder, check out IP’s full profile of the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation in our Northwest Funding Guide.

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