Twin Falls Kicks Off Idaho Gives Week with Community Celebration and 5K Event
TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Local nonprofits serving Magic Valley residents took center stage Saturday as Twin Falls launched Idaho Gives week with a community celebration at the Twin Falls Visitor Center, drawing attention to the organizations that provide education, mental health services, food access, and family support across the region.
Idaho Gives — a program of the Idaho Community Foundation — runs May 4 through May 7, with Twin Falls hosting the official kickoff event Saturday morning. Registration for a 5K walk and run began at 7 a.m., with the event itself starting at 8 a.m. at the Visitor Center. Attendees gathered to connect with neighbors, learn about local nonprofits, and cheer on NAMIWalks Twin Falls participants as they crossed the finish line.
Magic Valley Nonprofits in the Spotlight
The weeklong giving campaign is designed to shine a light on the nonprofit community operating throughout the Magic Valley and encourage residents to direct financial support toward the causes they care about most. Organizers say the event offers residents a chance to see — in one place — the breadth of charitable work happening in their own backyard.
“Idaho Gives is a chance for people to really see the nonprofit community around them,” said Bethany Bell, development director of the Children’s Museum of the Magic Valley. “So many organizations are helping families, kids, and individuals across the Magic Valley, and this week brings everyone together to learn, connect, and support that work.”
Former Twin Falls Mayor Ruth Pierce, a board member of the Idaho Community Foundation, also spoke to the spirit of the event. “The Magic Valley has always taken care of its own,” Pierce said in remarks attributed to event coverage. “Philanthropy here shows up in many forms — time, talent, and financial support — and Idaho Gives is a powerful reminder of how much stronger our community is when we come together.”
Those sentiments reflect what has long been a defining characteristic of smaller Idaho communities: a culture of neighbor-helping-neighbor that predates and often outperforms government-run social programs. Idaho Gives channels that community generosity into measurable, directed support for organizations that operate lean and serve local needs directly.
How to Participate and Donate
Residents who want to participate in Idaho Gives can register for the 5K walk and run to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Idaho by visiting namiidaho.org/namiwalks. Financial contributions to any participating nonprofit can be made at IdahoGives.org, where donors can search for specific organizations and direct their giving throughout the campaign period.
The campaign covers nonprofits working in a wide range of areas, from youth development and food security to mental health services and arts and culture. The Children’s Museum of the Magic Valley is among the participating organizations encouraging community members to explore the full list of nonprofits and consider supporting multiple missions during the giving week.
Events like Idaho Gives underscore the value of community-based, privately funded charitable work as an alternative to expanded government social spending. When residents and local businesses direct their own dollars toward causes they choose, the impact is often more targeted, more efficient, and more reflective of local values than taxpayer-funded programs administered from Boise or Washington.
For Twin Falls County residents looking for ways to stay engaged with their community beyond the giving campaign, local events continue to offer opportunities to connect. Twin Falls recently celebrated Arbor Day alongside the revitalization of its public swimming pool, another example of community investment in shared spaces and civic pride. Residents seeking outdoor adventure in the area can also explore the growing reputation of Adventure Garage as a hub for local recreation.
What Comes Next
Idaho Gives continues through May 7, giving Magic Valley residents the full week to explore participating nonprofits and make contributions at IdahoGives.org. The Idaho Community Foundation is expected to announce totals raised statewide following the close of the campaign. Community members interested in future volunteer or fundraising opportunities with participating nonprofits are encouraged to connect directly with organizations during the campaign window. For broader statewide coverage of Idaho community and charitable news, visit Idaho News.