Saddlehorn donates $20,000 to local non-profits

The Saddlehorn Foundation donated roughly $20,000 to support local non-profits and community improvement projects last week.

At a Nov. 3 ceremony, the foundation gave away grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

The largest donations went to the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork for beautification and walkway projects on the north side of the Bay and for solar trash compactors on Electric Avenue.

The foundation has given away more than $100,000 over the past three years with its annual donations.

The funds are gathered by taking a percentage of every sale in the Saddlehorn development to be used to contribute to the Bigfork community through programs and infrastructure improvements.

"When we started the development, there was no impact free requirement in the Valley for properties," said Doug Averill of Saddlehorn. "So we imposed our own."

As a third-generation Bigfork resident, Averill wanted to benefit the community through the development.

"It's worked out very well," Averill said. "It's a great way for a small town to benefit."

Averill said he looks forward to seeing the foundation's funds grow as homes are built and sold in the development.

"It could be millions of dollars over time," he said.

In addition to these annual donations, Chris Stubbins, an owner in Saddlehorn, provides a high school education program at the Saddlehorn Tower.

Last year, he provided several thousand dollars in college scholarships to Bigfork students.

This year's donations from the foundation went to the following projects:

-$5,000 to CFBB for rock posts, sidewalks and antique light posts with hanging flowerpots along the north side of the Bay.

-$4,000 to CFBB for solar trash compactors on Electric Avenue and to support Bigfork being Montana's first green community

-$2,500 to LEAP after-school programs

-$2,500 to Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department for the enhancement of its new training facility

-$1,000 to Bigfork Boosters Club for supporting local athletic programs

-$1,000 to the Nordic Club for grooming and maintaining the winter Nordic ski trails

-$1,000 to Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre to enhance the program and support the newly acquired performing arts facility

-$1,000 to the local Boy Scout Troop No. 4923

-$1,000 to Ravenwood Natural Science Center for its summer outdoor education program for local youth.

-$1,000 to ALERT life support helicopter