Whitefish Community Foundation kicked off its 25th anniversary by surprising three Flathead Valley nonprofits with Major Community Project Grants. 

The grants to Samaritan House, Alano Club of Kalispell and Columbia Falls Kids Foundation totaled $370,000 and were made possible by Whitefish Community Foundation’s Circle of Giving and other local donors.

Since its founding in 2000, Whitefish Community Foundation has granted over $100 million to nonprofit organizations thanks to the support of more than 10,000 donors. The foundation will celebrate its 25th anniversary throughout the year with special events and initiatives, including the announcement of additional Major Community Project Grants across the Flathead Valley.

 “The collective impact of Whitefish Community Foundation over the last 25 years is a testament to the generosity of our donors and the unwavering work ethic of our local nonprofits,” Whitefish Community Foundation President/CEO Alan Davis said. “We are excited to invest in these important community projects that will have a lasting impact on the Flathead Valley for generations to come. In celebration of our 25th anniversary, I encourage everyone to get involved in charitable giving this year.”

 Samaritan House received $145,000 for the construction of 33 affordable housing units for low-income families and veterans in Kalispell. Samaritan House is a shelter and transitional living program dedicated to meeting the basic needs of homeless people while fostering self-respect and human dignity. The nonprofit will break ground this spring on 18 two- and three-bedroom apartments for families and 15 single-occupancy units for veterans. The grant included $100,000 from Whitefish Community Foundation, plus $45,000 in additional donations from private donors and the AGL Foundation.

 "This grant is a truly transformational gift to families and veterans emerging from homelessness to rebuild their lives and thrive in our community. We are grateful to Whitefish Community Foundation for their help in building safe and affordable housing through our ‘Building Stability’ project," Samaritan House Executive Director Chris Krager said.

 Samaritan House has raised almost $12 million of the $16.9 million needed to complete the “Building Stability” project. For more information or to make a donation, call (406) 897-4832.

 The Alano Club of Kalispell received $70,000 to expand meeting space for individuals seeking help with addiction recovery, as well as individuals impacted by a loved-one's addiction. The nonprofit currently serves 1,400 people weekly with support services. The grant included $50,000 from Whitefish Community Foundation, plus $20,000 in additional donations from private donors and the AGL Foundation.

 “The Alano Club has long been a haven for those in our community who are striving to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. The recent surge in demand for our services has highlighted the urgent need for expansion to accommodate and support these individuals effectively,” Alano Club Executive Director Ray Beauregard said. “This grant will enable us to create a space that not only meets the current needs but also anticipates future demands, ensuring that no one in need of our help is turned away.”

 The Alano Club has raised $205,000 of the $300,000 needed to complete the expansion project. For more information or to make a donation, call (406) 314-4030.

 Columbia Falls Kids Foundation received $155,000 for the renovation of the old Glacier Gateway Elementary School building that will serve as the new home for the Boys & Girls Club of Glacier Country, Land to Hand, Ruis Wrestling Academy and the Gateway to Early Learning childcare center. The grant included $100,000 from Whitefish Community Foundation, $25,000 from Schellinger Construction and the Schellinger family, and additional support from the Tracy Foundation and the AGL Foundation.

 The new location will allow Boys & Girls Club to triple its capacity and serve up to 150 children and teens in Columbia Falls with high-quality after-school and summer programs. Gateway to Early Learning will be able to serve 50 additional infants, toddlers and pre-school age children. Land to Hand will be able to expand their Backpack Assistance Program, create a new food pantry and offer farm-to-table programming in a commercial kitchen. The Ruis Wrestling Academy will be able to provide Columbia Falls wrestlers with a facility to practice year-round and build a traveling team with the potential for students to attract offers for college athletic scholarships.

 “This grant provides essential and timely resources to accelerate our efforts to repurpose an old building into a safe, welcoming hub for youth-focused organizations,” Columbia Falls Kids Foundation President Don Bennett said. “Together, we will create a space where collaboration and shared purpose inspire our young people to realize their full potential in life.”

 Whitefish Community Foundation’s Major Community Project Grant Program is dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations complete capital projects that will have a significant and positive effect on the Flathead Valley. The program was formed in 2010 and has awarded nearly $1.5 million to projects identified and selected by the foundation’s board of directors. 

Funding for the Major Community Project Grant Program comes from the Circle of Giving, Whitefish Community Foundation’s core group of donors who give $5,000 or more annually to support the grant programs and mission of the foundation.

 To learn more about the foundation’s 25th anniversary initiatives and opportunities to get involved, visit whitefishcommunityfoundation.org/25th-anniversary or contact President/CEO Alan Davis at (406) 863-1781 or [email protected].