Whitefish foundation sets record for grants

The Whitefish Community Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary by setting a new high in giving to local nonprofits during its annual awards presentation on Nov. 4.

 More than $240,000 was awarded at the event, involving 44 different nonprofits that received grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 from the Foundation’s Community Grants Fund, a competitive grant program.

This year, the total distributed from the fund was $100,000, up from $75,000 in 2009.

Funding for the Community Grants Fund comes from private donations, the annual Whitefish Duck Derby that raised $35,000 this year, the Summer Art Social and interest from the foundation’s endowment fund.

Some organizations were awarded several grants, including the North Valley Food Bank, which received more than $20,000, and Whitefish Schools, which received more than $25,000 for projects in music, science, wellness programs, mental-health counseling and more.

A total of $140,000 in grants came from donor-advised giving funds held at the foundation by individuals and businesses. The foundation holds 14 donor-advised funds and seven agency endowment funds.

Grant distributions were up 15 percent from last year, according to foundation board president Paul Johannsen.

In all, 116 grants were awarded to 73 different organizations.

Johannsen was recognized at the event for his three years as board president. During his term, he brought the foundation to a new level of giving by embracing major changes and new fundraisers.

During the last year Johannsen has focused on building the foundation’s permanent endowment fund, which reached $1 million under his leadership.

The Great Fish Award was given to Shepherd’s Hand Clinic and its director, Meg Erickson. The Great Fish Award recognizes the value and service a local nonprofit and its director and staff provide to the community.

A new annual award created from a bequest to the foundation by Doris Schumm also was announced at the event.

The Doris Schumm Community Spirit Award, which comes with a $1,000 grant, went to the Whitefish Lake Institute.

The 2010 event was dedicated to the memory of Schumm, who served on the foundation’s board of directors and grants committee for more than eight years. 

For more information about the Whitefish Community Foundation, visit the website at www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org or call 863-1781.