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In pursuit of commuity resilience, the Impact Idaho Fund targets the buildout of regenerative, sustainable and renewable practices related to food and farm, land, water, and energy use.
From the first funded company in 2021 to the end of 2023, businesses in our portfolio have produced and sold over 60,000 pounds of food locally, avoiding over 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents by reducing the number of miles food travels from farm to plate. The companies have spent over $800,000 in wages, manage 160 acres, and steward land and water resources with future generations in mind. The impact of investing $400,000 in locally rooted entrepreneurs showcases the power of a place-based fund. And we've only just begun.
31,500 pounds of locally consumed food produced.
Nearly 40 acres of land cultivated using regenerative practices.
Promoted job creation & economic prosperity through $120,000 of committed investment dollars.
Protected water quality through expanded farming practices that reduce nutrient run-off into the nearby watersheds.
Avoided approximately 20,118 lbs. of carbon dioxide equivalents by selling produce locally through reduced transportation alone.
Through the Impact Idaho Fund, we provide local businesses patient, flexible capital to launch or grow their operations. Our currently funding focus is on increasing food production, availability and accessibility in southern Idaho and increasing the adoption of regenerative resource management practices.
Since the Fund’s launch in January 2021, we have received requests for funding from nine Idaho counties. The Impact Idaho Fund operates regionally because that scope allows us to deeply understand the interconnections and opportunities that will drive a stronger, climate-resilient future.
Since the Fund’s launch, there has been a total of $3.4m requested by applicants to IIF. This demonstrates a large gap in financing for companies in the region that meet our impact criteria and goals in the regenerative agriculture sector, local food production and other areas of resilience the fund is currently serving. These are immediate opportunities to tackle climate change at a regional scale. Moving beyond the Pilot phase, we are seeing an acceleration in the number of entrepreneurs submitting applications. Funders are invited to join us in responding to these opportunities.
The Pilot has shown that investment in regional food and agriculture businesses leads to direct resilience impact. The Impact Idaho Fund has financed $407,000 in no-interest and low interest loans to applicants that meet our financial and impact criteria. Now that the Pilot funds have been distributed, we are raising capital to build a permanent fund to address the large unmet need for mission-aligned capital in the community. Your powerful support will go directly to increasing the impact of existing portfolio companies, as we continue to finance their growth, as well as future portfolio companies. Capital will continue to fund companies that build a more resilient regional food system including production, processing, storage, distribution and food access.
Ironwood Mycology is a sustainable mushroom farm, producing for the Wood River Valley.
Koborewa Corn Meal grows and mills African varieties of corn for sale in Boise, Idaho.
Lookout Farm is a farm operation in Bellevue that specializes in seasonal vegetables and leafy greens.
Read MoreWild Spaces Farm is a grass-fed, organic, micro-dairy in Glenns Ferry that produces raw and minimally pasteurized products for southern Idaho communities.
Sustainable Meats is a multi-species meat processing facility in Kuna, Idaho. The facility is a subsidiary of American Ostrich Farms.
Zero-interest loan boosts Eagle startup Koborewa Corn MealSeptember 20, 2023
by Ken Levy, Idaho Business Review
Zero-Interest Loan to Support Production of African Corn MealAugust 23, 2023
by Karen Bossick, Eye on Sun Valley
A Mushroom Farm Sprouts in Richfield July 5, 2025
by Tony Evans, Idaho Mountain Express
Sun Valley Institute for Resilience Funds Native's Ostrich FarmOctober 29, 2022
by Karen Bossick, Eye on Sun Valley
Farms of the Future
June 27, 2022
by Mike Gordon Sun Valley Magazine
Farms of the Future
June 27, 2022
by Mike Gordon Taste of Sun Valley
'Milk guy down the road': Farmer starts micro dairy in Glenns Ferry
February 2, 2022
by Hannah Ashton Magicvalley.com
Sun Valley Institute Helps Dairy Farmer Fill the Gap
January 27, 2022
by Karen Bossick Eye on Sun Valley
Farmer plans small-scale 'micro dairy'
January 17, 2022
by Brad Carlson Capital Press
Impact Idaho Fund to support local and regional farmers
December 30, 2020
by Tony Evans Idaho Mountain Express
We have strong relationships with local farmers and deep knowledge in the local and regional food system built through our Food & Farm program, the Local Food Alliance. We are deeply familiar with local investing and able to provide the technical assistance required to prepare borrowers for financing.
Impact Idaho Fund objectives are primarily aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 – Zero Hunger – and 11 – Sustainable Communities. In pursuit of more resilient, regionalized food and agriculture systems, the Impact Idaho Fund Pilot will also consider critical impacts on land, water and energy resources.
SVIR envisions a resilient community with a nourishing regional food system, a healthy environment and a vibrant and equitable economy. Through the Impact Idaho Fund, SVIR catalyzes capital for regional resilience projects that advance local food security.
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This project has been supported by the taxpayers of Blaine County through the Land, Water & Wildlife Program.
