Theresa McLeod speaks at the CHIF celebration event.
Theresa McLeod speaks at the CHIF celebration event.
Community Health & Engagement
Many St. Luke's team members helped develop the event and work closely with CHIF recipients every day.
By Christine MyronLast Updated July 2, 2025
Access to healthy food and affordable health services, safe places for kids to play and helping youth to prepare for adulthood are just a few of the programs and efforts making a positive and notable impact on the health of communities across the Treasure Valley, West Treasure Valley, Elmore, Valley, and Adams counties and the Wood River region.
Each year, St. Luke’s Community Health Improvement Fund invests in qualifying non-profit community partners through financial support or in-kind donations. In 2025, St. Luke’s awarded $650,000 to 69 nonprofits across these communities, and recently, the recipients were celebrated at the annual CHIF recipient event.
“Community partners are key to St. Luke’s ability to fulfill its mission to improve the health of people in the communities we serve,” said Theresa McLeod, St. Luke’s Health System administrator of community health and engagement. “By investing in local organizations that are deeply rooted in their communities and have the needed expertise to offer evidence-based, outcome-oriented solutions, together, we are able to make lasting change.”
The CHIF grant recipient celebration brought together representatives from many organizations to share updates on how the grant support is helping them deliver impactful programs and services to our communities.
For the Nampa-based nonprofit Breaking Chains Academy of Development, the 2025 CHIF grant is helping to support at-risk youth and families through various programs, such as education and mentorship, that prepare youth for adulthood.
Breaking Chains executive director Luis Granados, shared, “The CHIF grant has allowed us to meet the growing demand for our services, ensuring we can continue to support the youth and families who rely on us. This increasing demand highlights a deeper need in our community for the resources and support we provide.”
Granados added that CHIF funding has also helped Breaking Chains maintain consistent programming, expand its reach, and better respond to the evolving needs of those they serve.
With a focus on building a food system that ensures every neighbor can access the food they need and want in a way that is welcoming and supportive, City of Good is connecting community members to healthy food.
“Whether we are delivering local produce to community pantries, providing access through the Mobile Market, or preparing ready-to-eat meals for neighbors experiencing food insecurity, we are doing it in partnership with other organizations,” said Britt Udesen, executive director for City of Good.
“This allows us to not only reach a wider audience but to help the work of our partners grow and flourish. [CHIF grant] support has allowed us to remain nimble and responsive to the needs of our community,” Udesen added.
Many of the 69 CHIF grant recipients attended.
Adding to the event's significance, the Idaho Community Foundation provided attendees with a learning session titled “Advancing Idaho Nonprofits Through Challenging Times.” The session addressed shifts in today’s non-profit funding landscape and invited conversation around navigating and serving in today's environment.
“We like to say, ‘Idaho Runs on Nonprofits,’” shared Kevin Bailey, vice president with Impact & Idaho Nonprofit Center. Nonprofits are involved in almost every aspect that makes our communities great places to live, where all people have the opportunity to thrive. I hope nonprofit leaders took stock of how valuable their voice is as leaders. I hope they walked away with a sense of pride in the vital role they play and with renewed confidence in the unique value they bring to the table. They’re not just filling gaps; they’re shaping stronger, more resilient communities.”
CHIF grant distribution is guided by St. Luke’s Community Health Needs Assessment and social drivers of health. The CHNA combines both quantitative data and qualitative insights from local experts and community members, ensuring that lived experiences also shape the understanding of community needs. Special consideration is given to organizations that demonstrate collaborative, equity-driven approaches to addressing community health needs.
Prioritized significant community health needs include:
In addition to the investment in qualifying organizations across the Treasure Valley, West Treasure Valley, Elmore, Valley, and Adams counties and the Wood River region in 2025, St. Luke’s also invested an additional $328,700 in 38 qualifying organizations in the Magic Valley.
St. Luke’s accepts CHIF grant applications from August 1-31 from qualifying organizations in the communities St. Luke’s serves. Grants are awarded the following December or early January.
Each application is reviewed by multiple committees, subject matter experts and St. Luke’s leaders.
Learn more about the 2025 grant recipients and find program application forms on the Community Health Improvement Fund Grants page.