Foundation gives Trust-Based Grants to local nonprofits
The crew at the North Lake County Library – Mallory Witham, Elizabeth Jore, Angela Claver, Abbi Dooley and Sierra Ross – celebrate the Trust-based Grant they recently received from the Greater Polson Community Foundation. The library is closed this week as the staff moves its contents to the Methodist Church, clearing the way for a major renovation. (Photo courtesy of GPCF)
The Mission Valley Animal Shelter is among the recipients of the Greater Polson Community Foundation's Trust-based Grants. (Courtesy of GPCF)
The Polson area’s non-profit sector adds tremendous value to the community’s well-being and has for years. Think Boys and Girls Club, Mission Valley Aquatics, FLIC, Polson Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Mission Valley Live, Miracle of America Museum, Helping Hands, Ninepipes Museum, Women 4 Wellness, Mission Valley Animal Shelter, Mission Valley Ice Arena and others.
Recognizing the importance of these, and other organizations, the Greater Polson Community Foundation celebrated February by supporting select local nonprofits with Trust-Based Grants.
"Trust-based grants go to organizations with which we have worked for years that are important to our community, have earned our community’s trust, and deserve support for general operations," explained Jeanette Phillips, grant chairperson for the GPCF.
Trust-Based Grant applications are available by invitation only from the Grant Committee and organizations receiving these funds may still apply for the annual project granting cycle. The application process and reporting for these unencumbered grant funds is kept simple.
“Our ‘trust’ reflects confidence in an organization’s board, management and programs,” said Phillips.
Long-standing committee person Marc Vergeront noted that the foundation expects to renew these trust grants annually for deserving non-profits. “As our experience and awareness of needs grows, we hope – with community support – to invite other organizations to apply for these funds, as well as to increase support for project grants," he says.
Board President Toni Whealon expressed appreciation to the many donors who have made it possible for the foundation to provide grants totaling more than $1 million over the past 14 years. She emphasized that the endowment legacy left by John Cowan enabled GPCF to nearly double the amounts initially granted in 2020 and in future years.
“We know benefits realized through the generosity of our donors depend on the hard work of nonprofit volunteers and their employees,” she said. “To both donors and our nonprofits we owe deep gratitude."
The following organizations received Trust-Based Grants: North Lake County Library, Boys and Girls Club, Mission Valley Aquatics, FLIC, Polson Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Mission Valley Live, Miracle of America Museum, Helping Hands, Ninepipes Museum, Women 4 Wellness, Mission Valley Animal Shelter and the Mission Valley Ice Arena.
“We appreciate and acknowledge their continued hard work to make Polson the gem of Flathead Lake,” said Whealon.
