Avista Foundation Awards $336K to Boost Northwest Arts & Environment

SPOKANE, Wash. – December 29, 2025 – The Avista Foundation announced a significant investment into the cultural and environmental fabric of the Pacific Northwest, awarding a combined $336,150 to 76 nonprofit organizations during the final half of 2025. The grants, distributed across Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, and Montana, are targeted at enhancing arts and culture programming and promoting environmental stewardship.

The funding, which covers the foundation's third and fourth quarters, supports a wide spectrum of organizations, from grassroots community groups to established cultural institutions. This latest round of giving underscores the foundation's ongoing commitment to the region's vitality and resilience.

“Community is built every day by those who give their time, energy, and care to others,” said Kristine Meyer, Executive Director of the Avista Foundation. “Their service is a testament to the resilience and generosity that define our region, and the Avista Foundation is grateful for the chance to support this important work.”

Championing Arts, Culture, and Diverse Voices

A substantial portion of the grants is dedicated to enriching the arts and culture landscape, ensuring creative expression and education are accessible to a broader audience. In Spokane, a significant $20,000 grant to Friends of KSPS will help the public television station expand its arts and culture educational outreach. Furthering the mission of elevating underrepresented voices, a grant to Spokane Word will directly support programs designed to amplify the perspectives of immigrant and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) youth through spoken word and creative writing.

Across the state line in Idaho, The Festival at Sandpoint received funding to enhance its popular Community Night, a program designed to make its celebrated music festival more accessible to all members of the community. In Alaska, Perseverance Theatre, the state's largest professional theater, will utilize its grant to continue its mission of bringing youth voices to the stage, fostering the next generation of performers and storytellers.

The support for the arts spans a wide range of initiatives. In Oregon, the Ross Ragland Theater & Cultural Center in Klamath Falls will apply its award toward a science camp, creatively blending arts with STEM education to inspire young minds. Smaller, yet vital, grants will also make a significant impact. Organizations such as the Palouse Choral Society, Spokane Children's Theatre, and Moscow Contemporary received funding to support their ongoing operations and programming, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to nurturing the entire arts ecosystem.

Fostering Environmental Stewardship and Community Spaces

The foundation also directed funds toward organizations dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the Northwest and enhancing community life. The Idaho Trails Association will engage young people in outdoor stewardship and trail maintenance programs, cultivating a conservation ethic while improving public access to wilderness areas. This hands-on approach provides valuable skills and a deeper connection to the environment for its participants.

In Washington, Friends of Lake Spokane Parks received a $7,500 grant to support their work in maintaining and improving recreational areas, while a $6,000 award to Spokane Zero Waste will bolster efforts to promote sustainable practices and reduce the region's environmental footprint. In Montana, a grant to the Friends of Whitepine Grange will help complete a picnic pavilion, creating a vital hub for rural community gatherings and enhancing local quality of life.

These grants reflect a holistic approach to community well-being, recognizing that access to well-maintained parks, trails, and community spaces is essential. Other recipients in this category include the Kaniksu Land Trust in Idaho and the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, both of which work to conserve critical habitats and promote responsible recreation.

A Legacy of Regional Investment

Established in 2002 as a separate, non-profit organization by Avista Corp., the Avista Foundation has become a cornerstone of philanthropy in the region. Since its inception, it has distributed over $17 million to community organizations. The foundation's funding priorities are centered on vulnerable and limited-income populations, education, and economic and cultural vitality. Crucially, the foundation's grants are not funded by Avista Utilities or AEL&P customers through their rates, ensuring its charitable work is independent of the utility's operations.

The breadth of the latest awards is extensive. Major grants in the third quarter included $15,000 to Nuestras Raíces Centro Comunitario to support its work with the Hispanic community and $12,500 to the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship to advance educational attainment. In the fourth quarter, Global Neighborhood received $10,000 to support its work with former refugees, and the Spokane Colleges Foundation was awarded $10,000 to support local students.

Other notable grants address a wide array of needs, from affordable housing initiatives led by the Alaska Development Corporation in Juneau to literacy projects in North Idaho and habitat for humanity builds in the Lewiston-Clarkton area. This diverse portfolio illustrates a deep understanding of the interconnected challenges and opportunities facing communities across the five-state service area.

As 2025 comes to a close, this infusion of capital provides critical momentum for dozens of organizations heading into the new year. For nonprofits interested in seeking support, the Avista Foundation has announced that its next grant cycle, which focuses on health and human services, will open on January 1, 2026, with a proposal deadline of February 1, 2026. Interested organizations can find eligibility requirements and application details on the foundation's website.