Idaho Partners for Good Helps Nonprofits Make a Bigger Community Impact

The article was originally published by Idaho Partners for Good on December 28, 2023 by Marc Lutz. You can find the original here.

Idahoans are incredibly generous and Blossom Johnston, founding director and partner at Idaho Partners for Good (IP4G), is making sure their generosity makes a big community impact.

Johnston’s heart for nonprofits began as a child and young adult, where she volunteered at an aquatics club and at summer camps. As she got older, her passion for the nonprofit sector grew, and she helped start and lead local service organizations like the Magic Valley Safe Kids Coalition, Twin Falls Zonta Club and Idaho Voices for Children. Over the course of three decades, she has worked with more than 1,000 Idaho nonprofits in all 44 counties that now inform the approach for her organization.

Founded in 2020, IP4G is a Boise-based nonprofit with a social enterprise that invests human and financial capital in other nonprofits across the state. The organization provides unrestricted funds ($15,000 per year for up to three years), skilled (free) consultants, evaluation expertise and training to help businesses and entrepreneurs develop management practices that cultivate success. The goal is to maximize community impact.

Since its inception, IP4G has invested more than 870 hours of service and approximately $108,000 in pro-bono funding. Currently, the organization has more than 100 volunteers that have helped or are currently helping over 15 nonprofits to strengthen their infrastructure and systems. IP4G is self-funded through donations and the work of their consultants.

Johnston shared that, historically, nonprofit models have created a scarcity mentality ― a feeling of competition that has driven a wedge or discouraged collaborating. IP4G’s approach incentivizes collaboration.

“Our approach to philanthropy is very different in Idaho,” Johnston explained. “There are lots of giving circles, corporate social responsibility programs, community foundations, family foundations, etc. that give grants, but no one else is using the combination of grantmaking, design-thinking and capacity building over the long-term to solve core problems in the nonprofit sector. IP4G exists to help nonprofits and help donors give better. We want them to do more of what they do best.”

Because the work that IP4G is doing is different from what donors are traditionally used to giving to, Johnston and her team have worked hard to share how their unique approach is working and how valuable it is for Idaho’s future.

“We are the foundation builders so those that are on the front lines that provide direct services can do more of what they do best,” she said. “We don’t want to see them having to close their doors because they didn’t pay attention to the basics of business. This is so different from the traditional model that it’s hard to explain in an elevator pitch. We also work with donors to help them have greater satisfaction with their giving while also helping the nonprofits they love become more sustainable.”

Megan Hudson, PHR, consultant for IP4G said, “Starting in my teen years, my mom instilled the importance of volunteering and giving back. Because of her example, I am always looking for opportunities to support organizations that do so much good for our communities. As a volunteer and consultant for IP4G, I have coached nonprofit leaders and staff in project management, leadership, communication and team building. In return, I have witnessed how the passion and commitment of a small group of people can truly make a big difference. It has been a great experience to connect and work alongside my Idaho neighbors and to celebrate the good!”

Devin McComas, Boise Bicycle Project executive director, explained that ID4G not only aided them with an organizational assessment, but also walked alongside them as a partner.

“The work that we did with Idaho Partners for Good not only helped us during the period of their partnership, but it also laid a foundation for our organization to be able to follow into the future,” he said.

On the horizon, IP4G is working on creating a Transformational Leadership Cohort that they hope to scale with funding. This group will champion nonprofits with high quality professional development in a safe environment that is resourced with best-in-class experts.

“Imagine a world where every systems leader has access to trusted relationships, abundant resources and unwavering support to cultivate thriving communities,” Johnston said. “While this vision remains unrealized, we are determined to begin bridging the gap.”

IP4G is also interested in working with retired Idahoans.

“They have more time and resources, have grown their talent over a lifetime and care deeply about their communities,” Johnston explained. “In our society we tend to close the door on retirees once they walk out of their profession. We want to redeploy retirees so their expertise can be tapped for greater good. This gives them a purpose to get out of bed for and multiplies resources in a whole new way.”

One thing is certain: IP4G has big plans for growth and community impact in the next 10 years. Johnston wants to give away at least $10 million in grants, in addition to other resources, to nonprofits in Idaho.