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Funding & Partnerships
The SAC relies on a variety of partnerships and collaborative relationships. The majority of the Center’s budget comes from the Forest Service and BLM. Despite a difficult fiscal environment, the USFS Region 4 and Sawtooth NF maintained our funding; this support shows their continuing commitment to public safety. The Ketchum Ranger District also provides extensive office and administrative support and maintenance facilities. The Bureau of Land Management also contributes $5000 annually.
The Friends of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center (501c3) are the critical private partner in our mission; the center would not exist without their efforts and support. The Friends are the conduit for both local and outof-area individuals and businesses to support the SAC and Friends’ common mission of providing actionable avalanche information and education to people working, playing, and traveling in the mountains of south-central Idaho. The Friends’ contribution covers salaries for approximately 2 of the 4 forecasting positions. In addition, they provide snowmobiles, funds for website and IT operations and improvements, safety and field equipment, weather stations, educational supplies, forecaster training, etc..
The Friends revamped their sponsorship and donation programs this year and launched a new, modern website. Visit https:// friends.sawtoothavalanche.com/ to learn more about the organization and how you can support their mission.
Local guiding operations Sun Valley Heli-Ski, Sawtooth Mountain Guides, Sun Valley Guides and the National Weather Service’s Pocatello office are also major Avalanche Center partners; their “in-kind” support is key to our success.
In total, the Avalanche Center has over 60 active partnerships with international, national, state, county, city, and local organizations and entities.
