Whitefish foundation announces latest round of awards

Whitefish Community Foundation’s Community Grants Program, one of several grant programs offered by the Foundation, has awarded over $1.65 million since the program was established in 2000. The Community Grants Program is open to local nonprofits twice a year. In the 2019 spring cycle, the program awarded over $65,000 to Flathead Valley nonprofits.

The Foundation announced the 2019 fall cycle recently, awarded grants totaling over $24,000 to the following nonprofits:

- Code Girls United — $4,000 to establish an after-school coding program in Whitefish.

- Crown of the Continent Choir — $3,804 to purchase safe, portable risers for choir performances.

- Family Forestry Expo — $1,500 to support Expo safety and educational materials.

- Flathead Audubon Society — $3,000 to improve natural resource stewardship through education.

- Flathead Community Health Center — $3,000 to provide financial assistance for patient medication, supplies, and transportation.

- Groovetrail — $1,400 to bring live musical performances to nursing homes.

- ImagineIF Library Foundation — $1,000 to distribute Early Literacy Kits to new parents.

- Montana Wild Wings Recovery Center — $2,000 to support raptor educational programs.

- Riding on Insulin — $2,000 to support snow sport programs for children with Type I diabetes.

- Wings Inc. — $3,000 to offset travel expenses for cancer patients.

Whitefish Community Foundation will accept 2020 Community Grant applications in the spring between Feb. 3 and March 26, and in the fall between Sept. 3 and Oct. 29.

All 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are not participating in the 2020 Great Fish Community Challenge, as well as organizations raising funds for a specific charitable projects, are eligible to apply once annually for a maximum grant of $4,000.

In addition to the Community Grant program, the Foundation also offers a Micro Grant Program, which is designed to help nonprofits with immediate needs. Recently, the Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded Micro Grants of $1,000 each to the following nonprofits:

- Whitefish Band Boosters — Purchase a new jazz guitar for the Whitefish High School Band Program

- Christmas at Our House — Help provide holiday dinner for veterans and the Flathead Valley community on Dec 14.

For more information about Whitefish Community Foundation grant programs, visit whitefishcommunityfoundation.org. or call 406-863-1781.