This article originally appeared in the Daily Inter Lake on July 19, 2026.
Every August across the Flathead Valley, classrooms come back to life. Teachers arrange desks, fill bookshelves, and pin colorful artwork to freshly decorated bulletin boards. Before students arrive, they're already thinking about how to make this school year meaningful by sparking curiosity, building confidence, and helping every child succeed.
Many of those memorable learning experiences begin with an idea from a teacher: a new science project, visiting artist, robotics kit, or an outdoor field trip that brings history or ecology to life. While school budgets provide for the essentials, it's often local education foundations that help turn those creative ideas into reality.
Across the valley, Columbia Falls Academic Foundation, Kalispell Education Foundation, and Whitefish Education Foundation work alongside educators to expand opportunities for students and support innovative teaching.
Their work often happens quietly, behind the scenes. A grant may help a teacher introduce hands-on technology in the classroom, create new opportunities for literacy, or launch a project that encourages students to think critically and solve problems together. Scholarships help students pursue higher education, while other programs strengthen the connection between schools and the communities they serve.
This year marks an exciting milestone as the Columbia Falls Academic Foundation will participate in the Great Fish Community Challenge for the first time, alongside returning participants Kalispell Education Foundation and Whitefish Education Foundation.
“In a town that “Bleeds Blue,” our schools are the beating heart of Columbia Falls,” said Alice Wondrak Biel, Vice-Chair of Columbia Falls Academic Foundation. “We provide students with access to opportunities and experiences that enrich their education now and inspire paths for the future. With community support, CFAF has been able to expand its reach and impact in recent years. We're hopeful that participating in the Great Fish Community Challenge will help us continue to meet our mission for years to come.”
Although each organization serves a different school community, they share a common purpose: ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
“The Great Fish Community Challenge has been instrumental in expanding our ability to support students, teachers, and families across our community,” said Jesse Kuntz, Whitefish Education Foundation Executive Director. “The partnership with Whitefish Community Foundation and generosity of local donors have allowed us to grow our impact, from coordinating more than 1,500 volunteer hours annually to increasing scholarship opportunities for Whitefish graduates.”
Beginning Aug. 11, community members will have the opportunity to support all 89 participating nonprofits during the Great Fish Community Challenge. Every donation made through September 11 helps local organizations continue serving our communities, and Whitefish Community Foundation provides a percentage match on the $25,000 raised by each participating nonprofit.
Since 2015, the Great Fish Community Challenge has raised more than $43 million for Flathead Valley nonprofits. Last year alone, 4,300 donors gave $8.1 million.
Whether improving educational opportunities, providing food and housing, protecting the places we love, caring for seniors, supporting families in crisis, or advancing the arts, each nonprofit addresses a different community need and creates the authentic, compassionate, and vibrant Flathead Valley we all call home.
The Great Fish Community Challenge is an invitation to celebrate that collective impact. Every gift, no matter the size, is a vote of confidence. No matter which nonprofits you choose to support, you're helping preserve what makes the Flathead such a special place to live, work, and raise a family.
Alan Davis is President & CEO of Whitefish Community Foundation. The Foundation manages over $100 million in charitable assets and granted $21.5 million to nonprofits last year. He can be reached at alan@whitefishcommunityfoundation.org or 406-863-1781.
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