70 LOCAL NONPROFITS UNITE FOR “LIVE GIVE 7B” DRIVE
by ERIC WELCH
Bonner County Daily Bee Staff Writer | April 15, 2025
SANDPOINT — Nonprofit organizations across Bonner County aiming to promote conservation, draw attention to mental health, address food insecurity and enhance the community in other ways have joined forces this week for the first-ever Live Give 7B fundraising campaign.
More than 70 nonprofits are participating in the initiative, which seeks to put a spotlight on the many groups that help Bonner County thrive.
“We want to bring focus to nonprofits, thank our businesses for being the backbone of the community and supporting us, drive some local giving, and then celebrate,” explained Dig Chrismer, Innovia Foundation rural engagement manager and Live Give 7B organizer.
According to Chrismer, the idea for a joint drive was borne out of conversations at a recurring monthly meeting of local nonprofit leaders.
Chrismer, Community Resource EnVision Center executive director Katie Begalke and Kaniksu Land Trust executive director Katie Cox formed an organizing committee and secured an Equinox Foundation grant to fund the effort. The trio then established the plan to coordinate an awareness campaign, which Chrismer said can help small nonprofits that “could be one person or a handful of volunteers who don't really have the resources to do a big marketing campaign like this for donations.”
