Idaho offers Idaho taxpayers the opportunity to make voluntary donations which will either reduce your refund or increase your tax due. Your choice to donate is irrevocable; you can not get a refund of the donation later. If you are filing an amended return, your donations can not be less than the amounts on the original return. Below are the available agencies in which to make a donation using [#AFFILIATE#].
Idaho Guard and Reserve Family Support
Contributions are used to assist military Reservists and their families in order to promote overall readiness for them to support our state and federal missions. The Idaho Guard and Reserve Family Support Fund (IGRFSF) helps members of the Idaho Air National Guard, the Idaho Army National Guard, the Air Force Reserve, the Army Reserve, the Navy & Marine Corps Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve, along with their families, when duty calls. The Fund acts as an emergency relief fund and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Contact the Idaho Guard and Reserve Family Support Fund, Inc., at (208) 422-5799.
Idaho Children's Trust Fund/Prevent Child Abuse Idaho
Contributions are used to protect Idaho children, Idaho's single greatest resource. The Trust Fund supports work in communities throughout Idaho to prevent child abuse and neglect before it ever occurs. Preventing child abuse ensures the future prosperity of the state, supports communities and enhances healthy child development. Funded programs include family support and strengthening programs, parent education, voluntary home visitations for first-time parents, public awareness of the devastating consequences of child abuse, and child abuse prevention and child safety education in schools. Contact the Idaho Children's Trust Fund/Prevent Child Abuse Idaho at (208) 386-9317 or visit www.idahochildrenstrustfund.com.
Special Olympics Idaho
Contributions provide support for year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Idaho. Through sports training and competition, Spcial Olympics Idaho teaches life skills such as dedication, perseverance and focus, while instilling confidence. With these skills, 50% of Special Olympics athletes are employed while only 10%-14% of the general population of people with developmental disabilities hold jobs. Donations to this fund will be used to buy sports equipment, uniforms, food, lodging and transportation services for competitions, as well as health screenings, outreach programs and family support systems for adults and children with developmental disabilities. Contact Special Olympics Idaho at (208) 323-0482 or visit www.idso.org.
American Red Cross of Greater Idaho Fund
Contributions provide food, shelter, clothing, and other help for disaster victims. Also, funds supply items such as bedding and cots in areas around the state to prepare for large scale emergencies. Donations also support the Service to the Armed Forces communications program, helping active duty military and their loved ones in Idaho communicate during family emergencies. Contact the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho at (800) 853-2570.
Idaho Foodbank Fund
Contributions assist Idaho hunger relief organizations in meeting the increasing demand for emergency food needed by hungry Idaho families, children, and senior citizens. Contributions allow the Idaho Foodbank to provide Idaho community-based nonprofit groups with grants to increase their capacity to provide hunger relief services in Idaho. The Idaho Food Bank Fund is statewide collaboration administered by the Idaho Foodbank, Catholic Charities of Idaho, and Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho. Visit www.idahofoodbank.org for more information.
Opportunity Scholarship Program
Contributions help provide need-based scholarship funds to Idaho high school graduations who attend approved higher education institutions within Idaho. This need-based program is built on a shared responsibility model. Students must contribute to cost of attendance, and apply for other financial aid sources including federal aid. Awards are renewable for up to four years and based primarily on financial need with some academic consideration. Students must meet a minimum GPA while completing their studies to be eligible for renewal. For more information about the Idaho Opportunitu Scholarship Program, please visit www.boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarship/opportunity.asp.
Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund
Contributions are used to ensure the conservation of nongame wildlife, rare plants, and their habitats in Idaho, to promote greater awareness of and appreciation for species that are not hunted, fished, or trapped, and to increase opporunities to view and enjoy "watchable" wildlife. Donations are used for a variety of projects including studies of rare animals in an effots to better manage them so they do not become threatened or endangered, educational programs and community projects, development of wildlife viewing sites throughout the state, informational brochures, and a nongame wildlife newspaper series available to the public and used by teachers. Contact the Department of Fish and Game at (208) 334-2920.