$34 Million Granted To Accelerate Opportunities in Idaho Article

A family explores Idaho’s limitless outdoors; a veteran leads and empowers their community; a parent finds a learning environment that best suits their child’s unique needs. 

From a memorable family trip to the park, a veteran finding the support they need or a parent finding high-quality education, this is the Idaho that Joe and Kathryn Albertson envisioned when they began their quest as philanthropists nearly 55 years ago. They believed that above all else, family, community, integrity, leadership, and opportunity should be the cornerstones of Idaho, providing a great place to live, learn, thrive and prosper. 

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation has continued its legacy over the years, remaining committed to bolstering Idaho in innovative ways through a focused giving strategy. With deep Idaho roots, the foundation is built on the idea of giving back to Idaho, to the state and the people that supported them over the years.  

The foundation’s key principles are based on accelerating opportunities through initiative work to create innovative learning, leadership and community opportunities. Specifically, it focuses on three core ideas: making Idaho an exemplary model for innovative learning, making the state the most desirable for life after the military and showcasing Idaho as a destination for accessible world-class recreation.

That’s why the Foundation has made it their mission to give back through programs such as Mission43 – an initiative with core beliefs in the value of service, leadership and creating strong Idaho communities; Bluum – a non-profit organization assisting schools, children and families; the Challenged Athlete Foundation – an national and local organization supporting individuals with physical challenges to help them achieve active lifestyles.

By giving back to these and other organizations, we believe we’ll create strong community leaders, whether that be an educator, a student, veteran, or an athlete. These leaders bring entrepreneurial ideas and opportunities to Idaho communities, making Idaho the best place to live and raise a family.

2020 was a tough year for all. The Foundation saw this and invested over $34 million into projects and programs in communities across Idaho. The projects contributed to supporting innovative learning in Idaho, making Idaho a world-class destination for accessible recreation and supporting veterans.

These are just a few examples of how the Foundation invested in families, jobs, students and communities in Idaho when it was needed the most, carrying out the vision formed by Joe and Kathryn Albertson so many years ago. 

Learn more about the J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation here.