Hall-Halliburton Foundation makes $100,000 donation to Whitefish Legacy Partners
Hall-Halliburton Foundation Chairman Randolph Mahoney, Axel the dog, Whitefish Legacy Partners Executive Director Heidi Van Everen, WLP Director of Development Alan Davis, and WLP Board Members Mike Jopek and Becky Smith-Powell. (Courtesy photo)
Whitefish Legacy Partners has received a major $100,000 donation from the Hall-Halliburton Foundation in support of recreation development on the Whitefish Trail, conservation efforts at the head of Whitefish Lake, and WLP’s free outdoor education and volunteer programs.
The donation was given to Legacy Partners during this summer’s Great Fish Community Challenge, a fundraising campaign made possible by Whitefish Community Foundation.
Randolph Mahoney, Chairman of Hall-Halliburton Foundation, was eager to help protect local open lands and public access in the Whitefish community.
“With so many new residents moving to the Flathead Valley, including myself, the time is now to support local conservation and recreation efforts,” Mahoney said. “We want to give back to help protect the natural resources and recreation opportunities the community cherishes and hope this donation will inspire others to give. Whitefish is an incredibly special place, and we should all do our part to keep the community thriving for generations to come.”
HHF has formally transitioned to Montana in hopes of increasing their philanthropy in rural areas.
WLP Director of Development Alan Davis thanked Mahoney and the work HHF.
“Their generous gift is a major investment in the future of Whitefish,” he said. “As growth and development further impact our front-country landscapes, WLP’s mission to ensure conservation, education, and recreation for future generations has never been more important. We commend HHF for their leadership and commitment to our community.”
Hall-Halliburton Foundation’s gift, along with support from 350 other donors who gave to WLP during the Great Fish Community Challenge will support new trail development at Holbrook Overlook and WLP’s important ongoing programs. Trail and trailhead construction has begun, and WLP anticipates opening Holbrook Overlook Phase I before winter. Phase II will take place when in the snow melts with a grand opening planned for early summer 2022.
The Whitefish Trail is the anchor project of Whitefish Legacy Partners, a nonprofit organization, and the result of collaborative partnerships providing public access and recreation while protecting clean water, thriving forests and prime wildlife habitat on open lands in the urban interface of Whitefish. The Whitefish Trail is currently 43 miles accessed by 14 trailheads just steps from town.