Great Fish Challenge sets new record, passes $2.2M

The preliminary total raised for this year’s Great Fish Challenge was just over $2.27 million.

Donors gave generously up until the very last minute of the challenge, which concluded on Sept. 13. More than $246,000 was collected on the final day of the challenge that ran seven weeks raising funds for the 53 participating nonprofits.

The total raised is an increase of more than $380,000 over last year’s numbers and does not include the final match percentage that will be awarded by the Whitefish Community Foundation, which sponsors the challenge.

Most of the charities raised more than $20,000, which is the maximum amount eligible to be matched, with some charities raising over $100,000 through the campaign.

“We are thrilled with how much the charities are raising in the campaign and to see the challenge grow every year,” said Foundation President Linda Engh-Grady.

The match percentage is being calculated by the Whitefish Community Foundation and will be unveiled at the fifth annual Great Fish Community Challenge Awards Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 10. The public is invited to a prereception from 4:30-6 p.m. at Casey’s for a slideshow, hors d’oeuvres, and a no-host bar.

Following the reception, the awards ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

Several bonus grants will be announced at the awards celebration. The Great Fish Award, which includes a $7,500 grant, will recognize a nonprofit for the impact they make on the community and for their outstanding participation in all areas of the 2019 challenge. This award is selected each year by the Whitefish Community Foundation Board of Directors.

Special awards, including the Jean Howard Memorial Award, Russ and Mary Jane Street Community Service Award, and Doris Schumm Community Spirit Award, will also be announced.

After a final performance, a $1,000 grant will be presented to the nonprofit winner of the Poetry Slam Contest for the most creative poem representing the true spirit of the Great Fish Community Challenge.

Throughout the campaign, incentive grants totaling more than $25,000 were offered to help encourage donations to the participating charities.

Whitefish Community Foundation is dedicated to fostering philanthropy, building endowments, and helping donors and nonprofits benefit the community. For more information about the Whitefish Community Foundation visit www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.