Idaho organizations are investing in students and communities statewide, from scholarships for kids with foster care backgrounds to grants supporting youth programs.

Empower Educational & Trade Scholarships

An Idaho nonprofit awarded $30,000 in scholarships to three young women from Idaho’s foster care community. The Freedom Youth Foundation held a ceremony on July 15 to honor the three recipients with $10,000 each.

Recipients completed a written application and personal interview. The Empower Educational & Trade scholarships will help pay for college or trade school expenses.

Breaking Chains Academy of Development

KeyBank awarded a $20,000 grant to Breaking Chains Academy of Development, which is a nonprofit that provides mentoring and support services to at-risk youth in Canyon County.

The organization runs the Youth Empowerment Project, serving around 100 kids annually. The effort allows students to reengage in education, earn high school credit and prepare for the workforce.

Financial Aid Assistance

Those who need help navigating financial aid can attend a learning event hosted by North Idaho College and the Idaho State Board of Education.

The free financial aid assistance event is for students and families applying for the 2026-27 FAFSA or Idaho Launch program.

Blackfoot High School Coach

A Blackfoot High School coach won the National Speech and Debate Association Coach of the Year. She led the Blackfoot Broncos to a runner-up finish at the state tournament in just her first season.

Taylor Clapp, who took over the program with no previous coaching experience, also earned the Idaho Mountain River regional coach award before receiving the national honor.

Migrant Student Leadership Institute

Forty students participated in the Idaho Department of Education’s Migrant Student Leadership Institute this summer, preparing for college through workshops on academic planning, career exploration and leadership development.

Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.