Giving Together: Celebrating nonprofit impact
One of my favorite events is our spring Community Grant Awards celebration that benefits local nonprofits. It’s an inspiring evening that brings together an incredible cross-section of our community - nonprofit staff, board members, volunteers and donors - to celebrate our shared commitment to improving lives across the Flathead Valley.
This year, Whitefish Community Foundation awarded $477,750 to more than 50 local nonprofits, including several smaller organizations that are making a big impact on the quality of life in the Flathead.
Driving Hope is one such organization. Recognizing that reliable transportation is essential for individuals and families to thrive, they provide donated vehicles and repair services to those in need. By removing transportation barriers that hinder access to employment, education, healthcare and other essential activities, Driving Hope is empowering people to achieve greater independence and contribute to the success of the community.
This small but impactful group has provided 50 reliable vehicles to families and individuals in the Flathead Valley and assisted many others with essential maintenance and repairs.
West Shore Food Bank is another small nonprofit that received a grant at this year’s awards celebration. Based in Lakeside, this all-volunteer organization is dedicated to providing food and personal hygiene products to people in need along the west shore of Flathead Lake. In 2024, West Shore Food Bank served more than 3,100 clients with programs such as snack packs for elementary and middle school children, weekly boxes for senior citizens and holiday staples for families.
The morning after the event, my inbox was filled with heart-warming appreciation for the work of our local nonprofits and the generosity of donors who make these impactful grants possible.
"I wanted to reach out and express my deep gratitude for last night. I can't thank you enough for the work you do in our community—I'm always so impressed by the diverse needs addressed through your grant programs. You truly make the Flathead Valley a better place to live!" —Middle School Teacher
"I hadn't been to a Community Grant Awards night before, and I have to say it was one of the most inspirational events I've ever attended. I walked away feeling a profound sense of confidence and pride in my community and our ability to prosper." —Nonprofit Board Member
Comments of gratitude were often followed by a bigger question: Where does all that money come from?
Funding for our valley-wide grant programs - including our Emergency Response Grants and the match pool for the Great Fish Community Challenge - comes directly from our Circle of Giving donors, who give $5,000 or more annually to Whitefish Community Foundation. Last year, 200 Circle donors contributed $2.2 million to the program, providing critical funding to hundreds of local nonprofits.
Looking ahead, Whitefish Community Foundation has set an ambitious goal for our 25th anniversary: to grow the Circle of Giving to 250 members. If we reach that milestone, two generous donors have pledged a $250,000 bonus that will provide a big boost in funding for local nonprofits.
The magic of our grant programs lies in what our nonprofit community represents: a shared belief that we are stronger when we work together and lift each other up. Whether it’s a set of car keys handed over to someone getting a fresh start or a box of food placed in the hands of a neighbor, each small act of generosity contributes to what makes the Flathead Valley so special.
Whitefish Community Foundation is honored to support the work of our local nonprofits and proud to celebrate the impact we are making together.
Alan Davis is the president/CEO of Whitefish Community Foundation. He can be reached at alan@whitefishcommunityfoundation.org or (406) 863-1781.