Our Impact
awarded in scholarship and grants over the last three years.
only 11% overhead, because every member is a volunteer
members and growing
In 2025 alone: 20 scholarships totaling $30,000 awarded to local students. 17 nonprofit grants totaling $29,961 were distributed to 17 non-profit organizations across the McCall area, selected from $98,000 in requests.
Grants & Scholarships
One of the most rewarding things about supporting the Payette Lakes Progressive Club is knowing that your investment doesn't disappear into overhead or administration. It goes directly to students who need tuition help and nonprofits doing real work in this community.
Since 2014, we've raised and given over $430,000 back to the McCall area. Every dollar came from members, donors, and event attendees who believe in this place as much as we do.
AWeSOMe!
"Your generosity, through scholarships and equipment grants, has opened the door for children and adults with disabilities to experience the outdoors in ways that simply wouldn't have been possible otherwise. Because of you, individuals have been able to ski, kayak, camp, and fully enjoy the beauty of being outside. You truly are AWESOME!"
Chris Wernert, AWeSOMe!
U of I McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS)
"The support of the Progressive Club has allowed us to create ANIMO, a program built by a graduate student to uplift and support Latinx families in our community. Through ANIMO, local McCall students connect deeply with the place they live, build meaningful relationships, and grow as leaders. Your support makes that transformation possible."
Dylan Porter, Program Coordinator,
U of I McCall Outdoor Science School
Roots Forest School
"Roots Forest School has been a recipient of grants from the Payette Lakes Progressive Club since 2018. Support from the Progressive Club has allowed us to expand access to our program and provide excellent outdoor learning for over 70 local children each school year. We are so grateful!"
Maura Goldstein, School Director, Roots Forest School
Courageous Kids Climbing
"They provided us with funding that allowed us to purchase Patient Mover Rescue Chairs and provide them to families with children with disabilities. Without the support of the Progressive Club, we would not have been able to provide these to the families!"
Jeff Riechmann, Courageous Kids Climbing
McCall Library Foundation
"As one of our first donors, their early investment helped spark the broader community support that made the new library, completed in 2024, a reality. Today, the children's section is actively used by families across the region. We are sincerely appreciative of the Progressive Club's leadership and generosity."
Amy Rush, Development Director, McCall Library Foundation
Student Grant Recipient
"For my Silver Award project, I am partnering with the McCall Public Library to help improve literacy among children by increasing public library awareness and access. Thank you Progressive Club so much for your financial support of the Library Book Bike project!"
Mia Rider, 8th Grade, Payette Lakes Middle School
2025 Grant Recipients
Total awarded: $29,961.73
AWESOMe!
City of McCall Parks Rec
Girl Scouts of Silver Sage
Heartland High School
McCall Arts and Humanities
MDHS Debate Club
McCall Judo Club
McCall Nordic and Biathlon Ski
McCall Senior Center
McCall Winter Sports Club
McCall Youth Hockey
MCPAWS
Payette Lake Ski Club / Little
Ski Hill
Rise Up 2 Thrive
Roots Forest School
U of I MOSS
2025 Scholarship Recipients
In 2025, we awarded 20 scholarships totaling $30,000 to graduating seniors from McCall-Donnelly, Meadows Valley, and Heartland High Schools.
Scholarships cover tuition only, paid directly to the educational institution, for four-year college, two-year college, and vocational or trade school programs.
Rand Rentzsch
Keelee Burns
Cody Padgett
Kai Clauson
Olivia Cline
Jessica Hammari
Darby Bates
Lola Winter
Lilliana Mihlfeith
Lauren Nelson
Milo Papenberg
Madelyn Lathrop
Seth Weller
Michael Wyman
Quentin Campbell
Zoey Dines
Zoe Spangenberg
Mia Rider
Isabel Auth
Julia Auth