Resort awards $95,000 to charities

The Whitefish Mountain Resort Fund held by the Whitefish Community Foundation granted more than $95,000 in 2016 to benefit local charities.

The Whitefish Mountain Resort Fund, a donor advised fund, was started with the community foundation back in 2002 along with the creation of the Patron Ski Pass Program.

The community foundation administers and manages the Patron Pass Program, which offers a transferable ski pass, a locker, a preferred parking pass, and summer benefits. The pass also includes a charitable donation above the fair market value.

Instead of taking a fee from the passes sold, the resort gives the community foundation a portion of the proceeds to support its charitable work and the rest of the funds are placed in the resort’s donor advised fund held by the community foundation.

The resort recommends grants to local charities throughout the year from their the fund.

Over 70 charities from around the Flathead benefit each year ranging from recreation, youth, and health and human service organizations including: North Valley Food Bank, Flathead Food Bank, Samaritan House, Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic, CASA for Kids, Intermountain, Flathead Valley Community College, as well as many arts and culture organizations.

Over the years, the amount of the grant awards has grown as the ski pass program has grown to full capacity. Today, the Patron Ski Pass Program is full with a waiting list.

Since its inception, the Whitefish Mountain Resort Fund has granted a total of more than $900,000 to charity.

To find out more about the Whitefish Community Foundation, the donor advised fund program, or Patron Ski Pass Program, visit www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org. For information about Whitefish Mountain Resort visit skiwhitefish.com.