Greetings, Beacon Nation! And happy Monday. There’s a lot to be thankful for living beyond the 100th meridian, but the abundance of gifts sure seems to grow in step with the Flathead Valley’s circle of latitude, which I jokingly call Gratitude 48.

Although, reading through the Whitefish Community Foundation’s recent announcement that 89 nonprofits will participate in this summer’s Great Fish Community Challenge, I believe my joke may have jumped the shark.

Whitefish Community Foundation’s Great Fish Community Challenge is a charitable giving campaign in which donors can choose to give to multiple Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations with a single transaction. At the end of the campaign, Whitefish Community Foundation awards a percentage match on $25,000 raised by each participating organization. That match is made possible by Circle of Giving donors, the core group of donors who give $5,000 or more annually to support the grant programs and mission of the Foundation, as well as donors who designate their gift to the Great Fish Match Fund.

I’m Tristan Scott with more below on the 2026 edition of the Great Fish Challenge and its decade-plus history of giving.

Since 2015, the Great Fish Community Challenge has raised more than $43 million for Flathead Valley nonprofits, including $8.1 million for 85 nonprofits in 2025, a 21% increase over the previous year.

“Year after year, the Great Fish Community Challenge highlights just how deeply our community cares,” Whitefish Community Foundation President/CEO Alan Davis said. “Nonprofits are woven into the fabric of life in the Flathead Valley, and the Great Fish Match allows donors to stretch their gifts even further.”

This year’s campaign will kick off with the Great Fish Launch Party on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 5 p.m. at Glacier Bank Park, home of the Glacier Range Riders. Everyone is invited to this free event, featuring free food and beverages, family-friendly activities and the opportunity to learn about the nonprofits raising funds in this year’s Challenge. All attendees will be entered into a raffle drawing for the chance to win one of five $1,000 incentive grants for the participating nonprofit of their choice.

There is no cost for nonprofits to participate in the Challenge. Whitefish Community Foundation underwrites the cost of hosting the campaign with support from title sponsor BNSF and additional sponsors First Interstate Bank, Glacier Bank, Glacier Guides & Montana Raft, Harris Financial, Iron Horse Foundation, JCCS, Park Side Credit Union, Stockman Bank, Summit Beverage, Three Rivers Bank and Whitefish Credit Union.

Whitefish Community Foundation will award incentive grants to nonprofits throughout the campaign. Donors will have numerous opportunities to help their favorite nonprofits win an incentive grant ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 between Aug. 11 and Sept. 11.

Nonprofits interested in participating in the 2026 Challenge applied through a comprehensive application process this spring. Of the 89 nonprofits invited to participate, six are new to the campaign. They are Bear Grass Performing Arts, Columbia Falls Academic Foundation, Girls on the Run Western Montana, Glacier Aquatic Club, Whitefish Community School, and Whitefish Songwriter Festival.

Here’s the rest of your Monday edition of the Daily Roundup.