The Great Fish Community Challenge ended Sept. 11 with more than 4,000 donors contributing a record $8.6 million to 89 Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations. This preliminary total does not include the Great Fish Match, which will be announced Oct. 22 at the Great Fish Awards Ceremony.
“Year after year, the Flathead Valley rallies together to support our friends and neighbors,” Whitefish Community Foundation President/CEO Alan Davis said. “More than 4,000 donors gave more than ever before this year, which is an incredible testament to the generosity of this community and the important work these 89 nonprofits are doing every day.”
This year’s Challenge raised approximately $2 million more than last year—a 30% year over year increase and the largest amount raised in the 12-year history of the campaign. For the first time, the Foundation processed more than 15,000 donations, reflecting the many donors who chose to support multiple nonprofits through the Challenge.
More than $3 million was raised during the final week alone, and Whitefish Community Foundation is still processing gifts that were initiated prior to the Sept. 11 deadline.
The Foundation will award a percentage matching grant on $25,000 raised by each participating organization. The matching grant is made possible by the Foundation’s Circle of Giving and other donors who gave directly to the Great Fish Match Fund during the Challenge.
The percentage match and final amount raised will be announced at the Great Fish Awards Ceremony on Oct. 22 at the Wachholz College Center in Kalispell. The event will be held from 5–7 p.m. and is open to the community.
“The numbers are remarkable, but what they represent is even more meaningful,” Whitefish Community Foundation Board Chair Doug Reed said. “Every gift is a vote of confidence in the nonprofits that make the Flathead Valley a stronger place to live. On Oct. 22, we’ll have an opportunity to come together and celebrate these organizations, the donors who support them and what this community has accomplished together.”
Whitefish Community Foundation organizes and manages the Challenge free of charge for participating nonprofits, thanks in part to title sponsor BNSF and supporting sponsors First Interstate Bank, Glacier Bank, Glacier Guides, Harris Financial, Iron Horse Foundation, JCCS, Park Side Credit Union, Stockman Bank, Summit Beverage, Three Rivers Bank and Whitefish Credit Union.
For more information about Whitefish Community Foundation, visit whitefishcommunityfoundation.org or call (406) 863-1781.
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