Newsletter | June 1, 2023
New ALICE report: More people in Idaho financially struggling
The 2023 ALICE report is out, providing brand new data for the first time since 2019 on our ALICE families, those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. The number of families struggling in Idaho has increased by 3 percent since 2019, and: 

  • the annual survival budget rose 12.3 percent in Idaho for a family of 4 from $54,096 in 2019 to $60,744 in 2021.

  • 43 percent of people in Idaho are below the ALICE threshold (Federal Poverty Level + ALICE);

  • 80 percent of Southeastern Idaho ALICE households are single female-led families.

Read the full report at unitedforalice.org.
BLOG: CEO Shantay Bloxham breaks down the new 2023 ALICE report
We continue to rely on ALICE workers every day – from the childcare educator to the grocery store clerk to the delivery person to the home health aide. But what happens when cash-strapped ALICE households are forced to make impossible choices such as deciding between a car repair and quality childcare, heat or a prescription? 
2023 United Way of Southeastern Idaho Awards Lunch
Thank you to all of the attendees of our 2023 United Way Awards Lunch!

This event is an opportunity to focus on our why – serving local ALICE families and individuals in need – and celebrate all of our corporate and individual donors for raising a record-breaking number of dollars to support local nonprofit programs that work to stabilize our friends and neighbors who are struggling.

A thank you to our Gold Sponsors: Citizens Community Bank, JR Simplot Don Plant, and Idaho State University College of Business. And a special thank you to the event’s presenting sponsor, Portneuf Health Trust. Because of their generous donation, more than 50 nonprofit colleagues and staff members were able to join the celebration free of cost in honor of their hard work and dedication to our community. 

We honored the Fabulous 15, our amazing local companies that have an annual contribution of more than $15,000 to United Way of Southeastern Idaho:

  • Portneuf Health Trust 
  • Battelle Energy Alliance
  • JR Simplot Don Plant
  • Itafos
  • Zachry
  • ICCU
  • Health West 
  • Farm Bureau
  • Idaho Environmental Coalition 
  • City of Pocatello
  • Costco
  • Idaho State University
  • Intermountain Gas

We also honored the following individuals and partners with these special awards:  
Heart of the Community – Farm Bureau 
Most Engaged Corporate Partner – Citizens Community Bank
All Star Engagement Team – JR Simplot Don Plant
Above and Beyond Corporate Award – Itafos 
Board Service Recognition – Jim Downes
What is United Way's Community Investment Process?
The Community Fund dollars raised over the last year during our Teaming up for Tomorrow campaign – a total of $327,350 in Community Fund grants – were awarded to 26 vetted and trusted local nonprofit programs that help stabilize ALICE households.

But to get to the point of grant award distribution, each year we first call on local community members who volunteer their time to serve on Community Investment panels.

These volunteers are trusted stewards of the dollars raised and through this community-led process, they review grant applications together, conduct site visits to the nonprofit programs applying for the grants, and then decide collectively how to distribute the funding.
Blog: Community Investment Panels: Where magic happens

In 2021 I volunteered to be a panel member for United Way’s Community Investment Grant process. I don’t know about you, but life at that time wasn’t feeling very magical. In fact, it sometimes felt impossible. I had no idea what I was going to experience as a panel member or how it would change me but looking back, it was nothing short of magical.
Blog: Why United Way's Community Investment grants are critical to nonprofits

United Way's grants and donor designated funds that we receive go directly into our work and services. These funds allow us to fill in the gaps that our other grants and funding streams have. We are able to utilize these funds in a fluid way, meaning we can fill in the cracks wherever and whenever we may have them. These funds often go to assisting clients with utility assistance, rental deposits, and transportation needs. Without the United Way funding, we would not be able to assist our clients as much as we do. 
“I learn about amazing organizations who work so hard to assist those in need. I become inspired by the dedicated people who accomplish so much – often with a shoestring budget – because of their sense of service and because they truly care. I get to see first-hand the importance of the time and money that our community contributes to the United Way.”

- Marie Glans, longtime Community Investment panel volunteer.
Community Investment funded programs in 2023-24:
  • 6th Judicial CASA Caribou County
  • Aid For Friends
  • Bannock Youth Foundation Baby Steps
  • Bannock Youth Foundation Emergency Shelter
  • Bannock Youth Foundation Nurturing
  • Bingham County Senior Citizens Center Meals on Wheels
  • Bingham Crisis Center
  • Boys and Girls Club Portneuf Valley
  • Bright Tomorrows Child Advocacy Center
  • Caribou County Senior Citizens Meals on Wheels
  • Family Services Alliance
  • Health West Special Services
  • Heart 2 Hand Bingham Food Pantry
  • Idaho Foodbank Backpack Program
  • New Day Products and Resources
  • Oneida Crisis Center
  • Our Gathering Place
  • Pocatello Free Clinic Access to Care
  • Pocatello Free Clinic Oral Health
  • Senior Activity Center
  • Shelley Area Senior Citizens
  • SEICAA Bingham County
  • SEICAA Meals on Wheels
  • SEICAA Veterans
  • SICOG Area Agency on Aging
  • Hope and Recovery Resource Center

Because of you, a total of $327,350 was invested in nonprofit programs through workplace campaigns and individual gifts to United Way. Twenty-six local nonprofit programs received grants through United Way’s community investment process, which helped stabilize 31,000 households across Southeastern Idaho.

Thank you for teaming up for tomorrow in Southeastern Idaho!
We are a leader, a collaborator, a supporter and - at times - a creator to solve complex community issues. Our all-women powerhouse team of nine punches above our weight, working every day to improve outcomes for children, families and individuals in need in our seven-county region. We find solutions through our community impact work, and we team up with powerful partners to create a healthier, more financially stable and educated Southeastern Idaho.
United Way of Southeastern Idaho 
101 N. Main St.
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 232-1389