Originally published in the Daily Inter Lake on February 22, 2026.
On a recent afternoon in Lakeside, volunteers at West Shore Food Bank moved briskly between shelves lined with canned vegetables, pasta and hygiene products. A mother stopped to chat while her children played in the aisles. A retired neighbor sorted donations in the back room. It’s a small space, run entirely by volunteers, but for families along the west shore of Flathead Lake, it is a steady and reassuring presence.
Until recently, the organization tracked its supporters the old-fashioned way — spreadsheets and handwritten notes. It worked, but just barely. As the need for food assistance grew, so did the complexity of keeping donors informed and engaged.
“We recognized the need for a better way to share our programs, progress and impact with the supporters who make our work possible,” board member Julia Sunde said.
With a small capacity-building grant from Whitefish Community Foundation to purchase donor database software, the team can now communicate with donors more consistently and efficiently — freeing up more time and energy to focus on what matters most: fighting hunger.
That small investment in technology may not sound dramatic. There’s no ribbon cutting or headline, but it’s transformative. Strong systems allow small nonprofits to grow thoughtfully, steward supporters well, and serve their communities more effectively. Across the valley, similar nonprofit growth is happening in very different settings.
Every summer in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, volunteers with the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation haul crosscut saws down rugged trails, clear fallen timber, repair historic ranger stations and fight invasive weeds. Their work protects one of Montana’s most treasured landscapes — and ensures future generations can experience its wild beauty.
Last year, the organization undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process to clarify priorities and prepare for a strong future.
A capacity-building grant from Whitefish Community Foundation helped cover nearly half the cost of a professional organizational assessment and strategic plan.
“Were it not for the grant, we might have settled for a lower standard — or diverted funds away from programming,” Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation Executive Director Cliff Kipp shared.
Whether it’s a food bank in Lakeside or trail crews deep in the Bob, strong leadership and sound planning make the difference between simply getting by and building something sustainable.
That’s why investing in nonprofit capacity through our Nonprofit Development Program matters. Free workshops, one-on-one coaching, peer learning opportunities and capacity-building grants help nonprofit leaders strengthen governance, improve financial systems and build resilient organizations designed for the long haul. Our mission is to help nonprofits excel at theirs.
If you believe in a vibrant and resilient Flathead Valley — one where neighbors are equipped not just to survive but to thrive — I invite you to learn more, get involved and support the nonprofits working hard every day to care for our community.
Alan Davis is president and CEO of Whitefish Community Foundation. In 2025, the foundation granted $21.5 million to nonprofits. He can be reached at alan@whitefishcommunityfoundation.org or (406) 863-1781.
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