Beat the Summer Slump: Why Non-Profits Need Your Help Right Now (and How to Give Back)
When summer arrives, our mindsets naturally shift. We think about sunny road trips, patio dinners, backyard barbecues, and finally slowing down. But while our calendars fill up with warm-weather fun, local non-profits are facing a quiet crisis known as the “Summer Slump.”
During June, July, and August, charitable giving takes a sharp nose dive. Donors are traveling, school-based food drives pause, and regular volunteers head out on vacation. Unfortunately, the need for these services doesn’t take a summer break—in fact, for many organizations, demand spikes during these months.
If you are looking to make a meaningful impact, summer is the absolute best time to step up. Here is a look at why your support matters so much right now, practical ways you can help, and two incredible Idaho non-profits started by our very own Silvercreek Realty Group agents that deserve a spotlight.
5 Creative Ways to Support Non-Profits This Summer
Giving back doesn’t always mean writing a massive check (though financial support is always the most flexible and powerful tool for a charity!). Here are a few ways to wrap philanthropy into your summer lifestyle:
- Become a Recurring Donor: Setting up a small, automatic monthly donation (even $10 or $20) ensures non-profits have predictable, steady cash flow during dry seasons like July and August.
- Host a Summer “Give-Back” BBQ: Fire up the grill and invite your friends over, but ask guests to bring a specific donation item (like non-perishable food, hygiene products, or outdoor gear) instead of a potluck dish.
- Volunteer as a Family or Team: With kids out of school, volunteering together is a fantastic way to bond and teach the value of community. Many outdoor cleanups or community gardens need extra hands when the weather is warm.
- Donate Your Credit Card or Airline Miles: Traveling this summer? Check your rewards programs. Many credit cards allow you to directly donate cash back or points to verified 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Use Your Voice on Social Media: Non-profits have a harder time getting digital engagement in the summer because everyone is offline. Sharing a post, a success story, or a donation link on your social channels can expand their reach to people who are looking to give back.
Agent Spotlights: Idaho Non-Profits Changing Lives
At Silvercreek, our agents are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. We are incredibly proud to highlight two innovative local non-profits founded by Silvercreek agents that are actively making Idaho a better, more supportive place to live.
1. John & June’s Mission
- The Mission: To empower caregivers and their loved ones through transformative outdoor healing experiences to promote connection and improved quality of life.
- Website: johnandjunesmission.org
Caregiving for a family member or friend experiencing a severe illness, age-related barriers, or disabilities can be an incredibly isolating and exhausting journey. Founded in Boise by Dan Canfield, John & June’s Mission offers dynamic wilderness therapy and respite care to help caregivers find hope, healing, and community.
The non-profit runs two main, beautiful programs completely free of charge to participants:
- Hike 2 Heal: Guided snowshoeing, day hikes, and backpacking trips that give caregivers a breath of fresh air and a chance to build a supportive network with others walking a similar path.
- The Blessing Bike: An incredible adaptive outdoor program utilizing 3-wheeled front-passenger cargo bikes, ensuring that individuals facing mobility or health barriers can still experience the pure joy of a bike ride.
How to help them this summer: Because summer is prime hiking and biking season, John & June’s Mission is in active operation. Donations directly fund the equipment, trail safety, and adaptive bike resources necessary to keep these experiences 100% free for local caregivers.
2. AOG JiuJitsu (Armor of God)
- The Mission: To uplift and empower veterans and first responders by enhancing their mental, physical, and spiritual resilience through martial arts.
- Website: aogjj.org
Those who serve and protect our communities often carry invisible wounds. Founded by Danny and Tracy Gandy in Pocatello, AOG JiuJitsu offers trauma-informed support, a tight-knit community, and a place to heal both on and off the mats.
Recognizing that financial stress can be a major barrier to mental and physical health resources, AOG JiuJitsu sponsors veterans and first responders by providing full, year-long sponsorships. Their program includes:
- 100% covered tuition for 12 months of training at partnered academies.
- A free Gi uniform.
- Ongoing trauma-informed mentorship, accountability check-ins, and a supportive brotherhood/sisterhood of peers.
How to help them this summer: AOG JiuJitsu relies completely on community donations to fund their annual sponsorships. A contribution to them this summer ensures that an Idaho veteran or first responder has a safe, structured place to process stress, build confidence, and find a fresh start.
Let’s Keep Our Community Strong All Year Long
Philanthropy isn’t just a holiday tradition. The organizations that keep our neighbors safe, healthy, and supported need our help just as much under the July sun as they do in December.
Take a look at your summer schedule and see where you can carve out a little bit of time, advocacy, or financial support. Check out the links to John & June’s Mission and AOG JiuJitsu to see how you can get involved today, and let’s make this a summer of giving back!