Idaho Partners for Good grew out of Blossom Pua Johnston’s transformative life experiences, including her time in Idaho’s Governor’s Office, where she worked on grants across all 44 counties, and later at the Albertson Foundation, where she listened to philanthropists voice frustration over the limited impact of the nonprofits they supported.
Blossom began researching a better way to give—and better ways to lead nonprofits. These, she says, are the two sides of the same philanthropic coin. The key is not only giving effectively but also ensuring nonprofits have strong leadership teams and boards. Rather than relying on traditional public health models of giving, Idaho Partners for Good centers its work on Human-Centered Design (HCD)—a model that focuses on interacting with nonprofits so they are active participants in designing their own solutions. Organizational effectiveness and nonprofit capacity building are at the heart of this approach.
To date, Idaho Partners for Good has served over 70 nonprofits, including the Boise Bicycle Project, Life’s Kitchen, Jesse Tree, JemFriends, NAMI Idaho, and the Good Samaritan Home.
Their Grantee Program—Idaho’s only venture philanthropy model—offers $45,000 in unrestricted funds over three years, along with pro bono consulting. Selected nonprofits receive governance assessments, help with strategic and succession planning, and tailored coaching. “We walk alongside, coach, and mentor,” says Johnston. “When nonprofits are stronger, healthier, and better equipped, Idaho Partners for Good exits—and encourages their ongoing, independent work.”
New capacity-building initiatives are also underway. One example: Emerging Leadership 101, a workshop focused on board governance and leadership development for those interested in serving on nonprofit boards. The idea emerged from their monthly Nonprofit Success Lab gatherings. Once trained, participants are matched to nonprofit boards based on their interests and skills.
Who should reach out to Idaho Partners for Good? According to Johnston, the answer is twofold: “Donors who want to get smarter and have more impact with their charitable efforts and investments. And nonprofits that are interested in thriving families and strong communities—from a systems level and a holistic perspective.”
The goal is simple but ambitious: develop stronger, healthier, and better-equipped nonprofits so they can do more of what they do best. Make sustainable happen. Or as Johnston puts it:
“Give better to get better.”
Learn more at: IdahoPartners4Good.org