Community Foundation awards $357,000 to nonprofits
It’s been an unprecedented year of giving for the Whitefish Community Foundation.
A new record amount of grants were distributed to area nonprofits at the 15th annual Community Grants Awards ceremony Thursday evening at the O’Shaughnessy Center. More than $250,000 was awarded to 76 organizations representing a wide range of causes, from education and health to pets and recreation.
Grant awards ranged from $500 to $6,000 from the competitive grant program, plus another $106,000 from six of the Foundation’s Donor Advised Funds. The grant total for the evening hit an amazing $357,141.
Combined with the more than $1.1 million awarded during the Great Fish Challenge last month, it’s been a busy year for the Foundation.
“It’s certainly exceeded all expectations,” said David Dittman, Foundation chairman. “The Great Fish was just unbelievable. It was a huge year when you add it all up.”
“I can’t believe how much support comes out of this community,” he added. “It increases year after year. It’s fun to hand out all that money.”
Several special awards were presented during the ceremony that each came with an additional $2,500 grant.
Board member Judah Gersh presented the Great Fish Award to the Glacier Nordic Club for its work maintaining the Nordic Trails at Whitefish Golf Club during the winter and for securing the new Nordic Welcome Center.
The Doris Schumm Community Spirit Award was presented by board member Doug Reed to the Whitefish-Columbia Falls High School Swim Team for its successful partnership sharing one coach between two swim teams.
Board member emeritus Mike Jenson presented the Russ and Mary Jane Street Community Service Award to the Whitefish Veterans Support Team, a new nonprofit organization that offers retreats in Whitefish to injured veterans and their families.
The Foundation is planning to take 2016 off from the Community Grant Program, and will bring the program back as a spring awards event in 2017.
The decision was made to give more separation between the Great Fish Challenge and annual grant awards, said Dittman.
“We don’t want to wear out our donors that have been incredible,” he said of the schedule change.
Pittman said the Foundation will continue with major grants and offer small grants on demand next year, as well as continue and expand the Great Fish Challenge.
For a complete grant report visit the Whitefish Community Foundation website at www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.
The Whitefish Community Foundation is dedicated to fostering philanthropy, building endowments and helping donors and nonprofits benefit the community. Call Linda at 406-863-1781 for more information.
2015 Community Grant Program Awards:
Animals and Wildlife: $11,000 AWARDED
Flathead Shelter Friends: Purchase two surgical lights for new surgery room
Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force: Purchase pulse/oximeter monitors and
humane traps for feral cats
Humane Society of NW Montana: Medical care for abandoned animals
KittyMOM’s Rescue Organization: Support to rescue stray and homeless cats
Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center: Purchase a blood lead analyzer
WAG - Hugh Rogers WAG Dog Park: Improve the north field of the dog park
Arts and Culture: $30,030 AWARDED
Alpine Theatre Project: Purchase LED lighting for productions
Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation: Scholarships for Whitefish students
Glacier Symphony and Chorale: Support concerts in Whitefish
Groovetrail: Support the Gift of Music Program in senior centers
Hockaday Museum of Art: Art education outreach in Whitefish schools
North Valley Music School: Support the Acoustic Jam Program
Whitefish Review: Support for literary events
Whitefish Performing Arts Center: Purchase communications technology
Whitefish Theatre Company: Purchase an interactive SMART board
Community Building: $10,975 AWARDED
Columbia Falls Community Market: SNAP Program support
Whitefish Community Center: Support current and expanding programs
Whitefish Library Association: Purchase audio books and DVDs
Whitefish Winter Carnival (WWC): Funding for Winter Carnival float
Conservation and Environment: $10,500 Awarded
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation: Youth in wilderness projects
Family Forestry Expo: Purchase 1,400 student workbooks
Flathead Audubon Society: Support conservation education program
Flathead Land Trust: Conservation needs in Whitefish area
Whitefish Lake Institute: Research support on Mysis shrimp
Education: $34,186 Awarded
Children’s House Montessori: Scholarship support for families in need
Farming for the Future Academy: Summer camps for children with autism
FVCC Foundation: Build an outdoor welding classroom at Whitefish High School
Glacier Institute: Provide programs to underprivileged youth
GIGL Childcare and Preschool: Purchase educational teaching materials
Olney - Bissell School #58: Replace aging laptops in classrooms
Whitefish Community School: Create educational and interactive play area
Whitefish School District Grants -
Whitefish Middle School Band Program: Purchase a marimba
Whitefish High School Chemistry Department: Supplies for glass program
Whitefish High School Freeflow Program: Purchase raft and waders for
student research
Young Entrepreneurs Academy: Scholarship support
Health and Human Services: $103,575 AWARDED
A Ray of Hope: Repair foundation of the homeless shelter
Backpack Assistance Program (BAP): Support weekly and holiday food bag program for students in need
CASA for Kids: Support for training 20 court appointed advocates
Center for Restorative Youth Justice: Expand services for at-risk youth
City of Whitefish Parks and Recreation: Scholarships for summer day camp
Child Bridge: Train families for foster or adoptive families
Community Action Partnership: Support emergency revolving loan fund
Flathead Youth Home: Purchase bicycles for student transportation/exercise
Habitat for Humanity: Support for affordable housing program
Human Therapy on Horseback: Fund therapy riding sessions
Intermountain: Support for children who are victims of trauma
Lighthouse Christian Home: Fund program for people with disabilities
Montana Food Bank Network: Purchase food for weekly food bag program for students in need in Whitefish School District
NC Foundation: Support for Student Assistance Program in Whitefish schools
North Valley Food Bank: Increase class offering to encourage healthy diets
Nourish the Flathead (Farm Hands): Fund SNAP2 and senior coupons
Salvation Army: Provide hot meals, laundry, showers, and food assistance
Samaritan House: Replace flooring in entry to shelter
Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic: Support for clinic’s medical and dental services
Tamarack Grief Resource Center: Expand and improve grief resources
Violence Free Crisis Line /Abbie Shelter: Fund education on domestic violence in the community
Whitefish Rotary Charitable Fund: Holiday program for families in need
Whitefish School District: Support student snack program for children in need
Whitefish Veterans Support Team: Host retreats for injured veterans
Sports and Recreation: $42,625 AWARDED
Big Mountain Ski Patrol: Support for youth avalanche course
Casting for Recovery: Fly fishing retreat for women with breast cancer
Columbia Falls - Whitefish Swim Teams: Purchase training equipment
DREAM Adaptive Recreation: Fund adaptive sports program
Flathead Fat Tires: Transportation of underserved youth to bike clinics
Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol: Training for backcountry ski rescue
Flathead Rapids Soccer Club: Provide a secure storage container
Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation: Purchase wireless timing equipment
Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center: Public avalanche awareness
Gateway to Glacier Trail: Construction of a welcome kiosk on the trail
Glacier Hockey Association: Purchase new team jerseys
Glacier Nordic Club: Replace worn equipment for youth ski program
Riding On Insulin: Ski and snowboard camp for children with type 1 diabetes
Special Olympics Montana: Assist with costs of the Whitefish Winter Games
The WAVE: Providing low or no cost memberships to those in financial need
Whitefish Figure Skating Club: Enhance Learn to Skate program
Whitefish Legacy Partners: Expand bike patrol and junior bike patrol