$10k grant assists childcare facility with water damage repairs

Whitefish Community Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 emergency grant to Whitefish Community School to renovate the facility’s water-damaged basement.

As a nonprofit childcare facility for children ages 18 months to six years, Whitefish Community School provides a safe and nurturing place for young children of working parents.

School staff discovered the water damage in the basement this summer. Upon deeper inspection, mold spores were found in the walls, carpeting, and furnishings, forcing the school to close the basement classroom, nap room, and play area to begin an extensive renovation project. After receiving the unfortunate news that the damage was not covered by insurance, the school contacted Whitefish Community Foundation for help.

Whitefish Community Foundation’s Board of Directors approved a $10,000 grant in November to help cover the cost of the renovation. The Foundation recognizes that quality childcare facilities such as Whitefish Community School are vital to the health and wellbeing of Flathead Valley families and businesses.

"Due to the closure of the basement, we were operating at 60 percent of our capacity and had very limited indoor space for the children,” Whitefish Community School Director Jessie Diehl said. “We are so grateful for Whitefish Community Foundation. With this grant, we will be able to complete our renovation project and serve more members of our community."

This Community Emergency Response Fund grant is made possible by members of Whitefish Community Foundation’s Circle of Giving Program and other local donors. Since 2000, Whitefish Community Foundation has awarded $344,200 from the Community Emergency Response Fund to area nonprofits.

For more information about the work of Whitefish Community Foundation, visit whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.