SCRATCH FOR Idaho Lottery players do good for their community every time they play. Since beginning in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has returned $1.034 billion to benefit Idaho public schools and buildings and Idaho-owned businesses have earned nearly $270.9 million from selling lottery tickets to players.
The Idaho Lottery was created specifically to benefit Idaho public schools and buildings. Since inception through June 30, 2020, the Lottery has returned $449,912,500 to the Department of Education for Idaho’s 114 school districts and 72 charter schools to maintain and improve student occupied facilities. Funds are distributed based on average daily attendance. More than $147,000,000 has benefitted the Department of Education’s Bond Levy Equalization Fund to help districts meet their bond obligations. Finally, $449,912,500 has gone to Idaho’s Permanent Building Fund to support State-owned facilities, such as our public university and college campuses, state park facilities, and other public buildings. After 32 amazing years, we are proud to say, “Thanks a Billion, Idaho!”
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The 20th edition of the Idaho Lottery’s Scratch for Schools program in 2020 was unlike anything offered previously. A total of 424 schools registered, many whom were in the throes of distance learning or complete school shutdowns. This year, the Idaho Lottery offered the traditional program virtually. A hallmark of the program is its ability to bring people together from various communities. And for the first time, there was opportunity through a series of Zoom calls for teachers, administrators, and staff members to interact with others from different parts of the state – many of whom had heard stories of each other but had never met before. It was a unique experience to see schools from Castleford, Idaho Falls, Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene together on the same call. In the end, Fiscal Year 2021 delivered $89,658 in much needed classroom funds to our participants. The Idaho Lottery rigorously manages its budget. The chart below breaks out how Lottery funds are distributed. 67% 20%
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