Community foundation celebrates new name

The former Inland Northwest Community Foundation hosted an open house Tuesday to celebrate its new name: Innovia.

The name means “innovative way,” combining the word “innovate” with the Latin “via,” meaning “way.” It is meant to signify the foundation’s new commitment to impacting communities, said Molly Sanchez, director of grants and community engagement.

The primary goal of the change was to create more awareness of the foundation, which serves 20 counties in Eastern Washington and northern Idaho, said Bob Bishopp, former chairman of the community foundation.

“It really increases our visibility and ability to connect,” he said. “It’s the region’s best-kept secret.”

The new name is also more concise and will reduce confusion with organizations that have similar names, President Shelley L. Bennett said.

“It’s an opportunity to grow the foundation so we can do more for the communities that we take care of,” she said.

Innovia will focus on five main areas moving forward: health and wellness, arts and culture, economic opportunity, education and youth development, and quality of life.

“We see all of those areas as weaving together to create a strong fabric of community,” Sanchez said.