The Whitefish Community Foundation set a new annual record in giving to local nonprofits.
Just over $257,000 was distributed to a record 74 nonprofit organizations this year, according to the foundation. Over half of the nonprofit grant requests received 100 percent of the requested amount. Awards ranged from $500 to $6,000 from the foundation’s competitive grant program. Funding for the grant programs comes from The Circle of Giving, the annual Whitefish Duck Derby, the Summer Art Social, and interest from the foundation’s growing Permanent Endowment Fund.
In addition to the awards, the foundation also presented an additional $493,000 from nine of its Donor Advised Funds. Whitefish Mountain Resort awarded grants to 15 nonprofit organizations.
The awards were all announced at the 14th annual Community Grant Program gala recently. Over $750,000 was awarded during the event.
The Iron Horse Foundation presented a check for $250,000 to Whitefish school board trustees for the new Arts and Technology Wing, called the Center for Applied Media Arts and Sciences.
North Valley Food Bank received six grants totaling over $23,000; Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic received over $27,000 and North Valley Hospital Foundation was awarded $26,000. Programs that benefit the Whitefish School district received over $40,000 from the Whitefish Community Foundation.
Foundation Board Treasurer Jay Latimer presented the Great Fish Award to the Whitefish Figure Skating Club for its work on the Stumptown Ice Den Renovation. The Doris Schumm Community Spirit Award was presented by Past Board President Carol Atkinson to the Flathead Nordic Backcountry Patrol for its work keeping skiers safe as they venture into the backcountry. A new award, recognizing the major gift in memory of Russ and Mary Jane Street for Community Service was awarded by Board Member Emeritus Mike Jenson to the Whitefish Lake Institute for its work on monitoring Whitefish Lake for invasive species through the Inspect – Clean – Dry Campaign.