Greater Polson Community Foundation awards trust-based grants
Shauna Rubel of the Greater Polson Community Foundation presents a Trust-Based Grant to Raeva Corkill of the Mission Valley Animal Shelter, which was one of 10 recipients this year. (Courtesy photo)
In honor of the value the non-profit sector adds to the community’s well-being, the Greater Polson Community Foundation celebrated February, “the month of love,” by sending Valentines and Trust-Based Grant funds to select local non-profits.
"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," said Jeanette Phillips, grant Chair for the GPCF.
Trust-Based Grant applications are by invitation only from the GPCF Grant Committee and organizations receiving these funds may still apply for the annual IMPACT Grant 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,” Phillips said.
"We expect to renew these Trust grants annually for deserving non-profits and 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," explained long-standing committee person Marc Vergeront.
Board President Toni Whealon expressed her appreciation to the many donors who’ve made it possible for the foundation to give $1.5 million in grants over the past 15 years.
"We are particularly grateful that the endowment legacy left by John Cowan enabled GPCF to nearly double the amounts initially granted and hopefully will see this increase into the future,” she said. “We know benefits realized through the generosity of our donors depend on the hard work of non-profit volunteers and their employees. To both donors and our non-profits we owe deep gratitude."
The Greater Polson Community congratulated the following 2024 Trust-Based Grant recipients for “their continued hard work to keep our communities strong.” This year’s grants went to the Boys and Girls Club of Flathead Reservation, Flathead Lake International Cinemafest, Polson Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Mission Valley Live, Miracle of America Museum, Helping Hands, Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana, Women 4 Wellness, Mission Valley Animal Shelter and the Mission Valley Ice Arena.