Event raises more than $2.2 million

Donors gave generously to the 2019 Great Fish Community Challenge, which concluded Sept.13.

More than $246,000 was collected on the final day of the Challenge. The preliminary total raised over seven weeks for the 53 participating nonprofits tallied just over $2,271,000, an increase of more than $380,000 over last year’s numbers and does not include the final match percentage that will be awarded by the Whitefish Community Foundation.

Most of the charities raised more than $20,000, which is the maximum amount eligible to be matched, with some charities raising over $100,000 through the campaign.

“We are thrilled with how much the charities are raising in the campaign and to see the Challenge grow every year” Foundation President Linda Engh-Grady said.

The match percentage is being calculated by the Whitefish Community Foundation and will be unveiled at the fifth annual Great Fish Community Challenge Awards celebration Thursday, Oct. 10. The public is invited to a pre-reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Casey’s for a slide show, hors d’oeuvres, and a no-host bar. Following the reception, the awards ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.

Several bonus grants will be announced at the awards celebration. The Great Fish Award, which includes a $7,500 grant, will recognize a nonprofit for the impact they make on the community and for their outstanding participation in all areas of the 2019 Challenge. This award is selected each year by the Whitefish Community Foundation board of directors.

Throughout the campaign, incentive grants totaling more than $25,000 were offered to help encourage donations to the 50 participating charities.

Whitefish Community Foundation is dedicated to fostering philanthropy, building endowments and helping donors and nonprofits benefit the community. For more information about the Whitefish Community Foundation, visit www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.