Grantee Profiles

Idaho Conservation League: Strong Achievements for Idaho Group

It is an organizational "Who's Who" of Idaho, headed by the likes of Wal-Mart and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. The Idaho Statesman annual "100 Most Influential Idaho Organizations" doesn't feature public interest groups, but in 2002 there was one exception--Idaho Conservation League (ICL), a membership organization that protects and restores Idaho's waters, wetlands and wildlife. An example of the work that put ICL in the charts is the 2001 Boise Foothills campaign, which resulted in a $10 million levy to purchase open space in the surrounding foothills.

ICL received a challenge grant for the three-year cycle ending in 2002. Challenge grants are by invitation only, and provide as much as $300,000 over three years for bellwether organizations willing to undergo serious evaluation and evolution.

The Brainerd Foundation and ICL agreed some of the work would focus on a stronger communication strategy. ICL now has better name recognition, a clear "brand identity," and sophisticated publications that reflect that identity. On the fundraising side, ICL met the goal of establishing a $1 million endowment. It also purchased its Boise office and then received a gift to pay off the mortgage.

A big piece of work was organizational development. ICL Executive Director Rick Johnson knew much of it would focus on him. "I knew I needed a change, and I knew that ICL needed it too," he wrote in a report to the foundation. That change included a new job description that allowed him to focus on providing strategic direction, new staff, encouragement from consultants to make some difficult changes and the development of leadership skills throughout the organization.

The work has given ICL the strength and the standing to take on important projects when they arise. It also gave Johnson the confidence to take a three- or four-month sabbatical and return to an intact organization. This challenge grant, he wrote in his report, "has been important for taking ICL to a 'new level.' It was also important for making my job 'something someone else would want.' At this point, that someone is me."

Profiled 2002