Every December, something kind of amazing happens across Idaho. More than 100 housing nonprofits, from emergency shelters in Boise to housing programs in small towns across the state, all start fundraising at the exact same time. For a whole month, they take on challenges, compete for cash prizes, and rally their communities around one goal: helping more Idahoans find and keep a safe place to live.
It’s called Avenues for Hope, and last year it raised $6.1 million from more than 7,000 donors.
What is Avenues for Hope?
Avenues for Hope is a month-long fundraiser for Idaho nonprofits and school districts that provide housing and support services to low-income and unhoused Idahoans. It’s run by the Idaho Housing Foundation, and this December marks its 16th year. Since it started, Avenues for Hope has raised nearly $27 million for more than 100 housing nonprofits and schools across the state.
If you’ve ever donated during Idaho Gives, the idea will feel familiar. A bunch of nonprofits fundraise together, at the same time, and that shared energy gets more people to give. But Avenues for Hope has a twist that makes it a little more fun.
The big pool of money
Before the campaign kicks off, Avenues for Hope collects donations from businesses, organizations, and the general public into one big pool of money. Last year, it reached $450,000. Then all December long, that money goes back out to the nonprofits in two ways. It’s used to match donations, and it’s handed out as cash prizes when nonprofits win fundraising challenges.
Some challenges are planned ahead of time. Others are surprises that pop up mid-campaign and ask nonprofits to get a little creative to win. Either way, every dollar in the pool ends up with the nonprofits.
“The heartbeat of Avenues for Hope is that prize and match pool,” said Ken Corder, Director of Philanthropy at the Idaho Housing Foundation.
Why it matters so much
For a lot of these nonprofits, December isn’t just a nice bonus. Many of Idaho’s housing nonprofits say they raise more money through Avenues for Hope than any other giving day.
“For some of them, these are their operating funds for the year,” said Ken.
You might remember Corpus Commons, Boise’s daytime resource center for people experiencing housing insecurity, from our story a couple weeks ago. It’s consistently one of the top fundraisers in Avenues for Hope. Corpus is part of a lineup of 100+ nonprofits, from daytime centers and shelters to housing programs, and Avenues for Hope is one of the biggest ways our community shows up for all of them.
What’s new this year
It starts earlier. In past years, Avenues for Hope kicked off in the second week of December. This year, it starts on Giving Tuesday, December 1, giving nonprofits about eight more days to fundraise.
More nonprofits are joining. Last year, 106 organizations took part last year, and they’re expecting around 120 this year.
A luncheon with a big-name keynote. On December 9th, Avenues for Hope will host a luncheon (they’re known for a really good lunch). This year’s keynote speaker is J.R. Martinez, an Iraq War veteran and the Season 13 winner of Dancing with the Stars. The luncheon has a veteran theme, and individual tickets are free. Groups can also buy a table, and a handful of tables will seat veterans, including unhoused veterans, together.
When: December 9th 11:45am-1:15pm
Where: Boise Centre
Why donating now matters most
The best time to donate is before the campaign even starts.
Donations made before December 1 go into that big pool, which means your money keeps working all month long. It helps match other people’s donations and fuels the challenges that keep nonprofits fundraising hard all December. 100% of it goes to the nonprofits.
Once December 1 hits, the pool is locked in. Right now it’s sitting around $400,000, and the goal is to reach $500,000 before the campaign kicks off.
If you donate $100 to $1,000, you can dedicate it to someone special, and their name shows up on the campaign’s sponsor page. It makes a pretty great holiday gift for the person who has everything.
The details
What: Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge
When: Tuesday, December 1 at 8am through Thursday, December 31 at 11:59pm MT
Who it helps: 100+ Idaho nonprofits and school districts that provide housing and support services
Donate early: Now through November 30 at bit.ly/AFHPrizeandMatch
Donate to a specific nonprofit in December: avenuesforhope.org
Good to know: Donations are tax-deductible!
A safe place to call home is something a lot of us don’t think twice about. Avenues for Hope makes it easy to help more of our neighbors have one, and right now is when it counts the most.
Thanks for reading!
With love from Boise,
Marissa
This story is sponsored by Avenues for Hope.
