Coeur d'Alene Tribe Matches Business Donations to Boost Chamber Scholarship Fund

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe has again pledged to match business-sponsored scholarships dollar-for-dollar through the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber Education Committee's Annual Scholarship Program, with the Chamber announcing 200 scholarships available for 2026 students, including seniors at Lakeside High School and members of the Coeur d'Alene Tribal community.

For every $1,000 a local business contributes to the program, the Tribe matches it in full, effectively doubling the financial reach of each donation. The Chamber is encouraging businesses to contribute at least $1,000 to trigger the match, and Linda Coppess, Chamber President and CEO, said the program hopes to add an additional 15 scholarships this year to ensure support reaches all approximately 130 applicants.

"This partnership with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe has redefined what's possible," Coppess said. "What began as a generous match has become a movement — one that strengthens our talent pipeline, supports local families, and builds long-term economic resilience for North Idaho."

Coppess has also pointed to a structural reality shaping the stakes: Idaho carries one of the lowest post-secondary continuation rates in the nation, and financial barriers are the primary reason many students never pursue education beyond high school. Every dollar raised through the scholarship program goes directly to the post-secondary institution selected by the student, she said — none of it absorbed by administrative costs.

Chief Allan, Chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, framed the initiative as an investment that extends well beyond individual recipients. "When we invest in a student's future, we are investing in the future strength of our workforce, our families, and our entire community," Allan said. "The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is proud to once again match every scholarship sponsored by the business community, and I challenge our local businesses to join us in ensuring that opportunity is not limited by circumstance."

The Tribe's commitment to education funding has deep roots. When tribal elders negotiated a gaming compact with the state in 1992, they insisted that 5% of gaming revenues be allocated to education — a condition that laid the groundwork for decades of community investment.

Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Annual Scholarship Breakfast on Tuesday, April 22, at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Businesses or individuals seeking more information can contact the Chamber at 208-664-3194, email connect@cdachamber.com, or visit the office at 105 North 1st Street in Coeur d'Alene, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.