Whitefish Community Foundation Inc
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Whitefish, Montana, formed in 2000. It connects donors and nonprofits and supports charitable work in the greater Flathead Valley through grant programs, charitable funds, endowments, and nonprofit-development activities.
Key facts about Whitefish Community Foundation Inc
In short: Whitefish Community Foundation Inc gave $11.3M across 158 grants in 2024 (avg $72K), mostly in Montana. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 81-0533002
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,319,547
- Grants made (2024)
- 158
- Average grant
- $71,643
- Median grant
- $43,198
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (38 of 158, 2024)
- Total assets
- $67,617,403
- Primary geography
- Montana (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$67.6M
+10.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.3M
+15.1% YoY
Grant Count
158
+2.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$72K
+12.2% YoY
Is Whitefish Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 38 of 158 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $85K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $49K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to foster philanthropy, build endowments, and help donors and nonprofits benefit the community. Its website describes the Community Grant Program as supporting initiatives that improve quality of life across the Flathead Valley. Other programs address youth health, safety, education and food security; emergency needs; community projects; and nonprofit capacity building.
Grantees’ own missions illustrate the range of work supported. North Valley Music School says it provides musical opportunities for all through music education, appreciation, and performance. Dream Adaptive Recreation says it provides empowering outdoor recreation opportunities for people with disabilities. North Valley Food Bank says it builds food security through food assistance and culinary and nutrition education. Nate Chute Foundation says it works to promote mental-health awareness and reduce suicide.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 158 grants totaling $11,319,547. Grant amounts ranged from $5,209 to $1,252,549, with a median of $43,198. The largest reported grants included $1,252,549 to North Valley Music School, $479,707 to Dream Adaptive Recreation, $354,404 to Whitefish Legacy Partners, $351,769 to North Valley Food Bank, and $330,915 to Nate Chute Foundation.
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from Whitefish Community Foundation Inc
Community Grant Program
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies by cycle
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Great Fish Community Challenge
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Matching grants up to $10,200+ per nonprofit
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Kids Fund- Multi-year Request of Up To $50,000 Grant
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Whitefish Community Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as benefiting the greater Flathead Valley and partners with nonprofits across the valley. Its 2024 grant dollars went primarily to Montana recipients (90%); the remaining reported shares were Georgia, Virginia, Minnesota, and California, each at 2%. The Kids Fund is described as serving youth in Flathead County or the Flathead Valley, and the capacity-building program is for Flathead Valley-based nonprofits.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 158 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
688 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NORTH VALLEY MUSIC SCHOOL Whitefish, MT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,252,549 |
| DREAM ADAPTIVE RECREATION Whitefish, MT | SKI PROGRAM, GENERAL SUPPORT | $479,707 |
| WHITEFISH LEGACY PARTNERS Whitefish, MT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $354,404 |
| NORTH VALLEY FOOD BANK Whitefish, MT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $351,769 |
| NATE CHUTE FOUNDATION Whitefish, MT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $330,915 |
| LAND TO HAND Elko, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $253,448 |
| CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION Arlington, VA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| SAMARITAN HOUSE Kalispell, MT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $233,525 |
| VIOLENCE FREE CRISIS LINE - ABBIE SHELTER Kalispell, MT | FACILITY UPGRADE, GENERAL SUPPORT | $221,702 |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF NW MONTANA Kalispell, MT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $215,667 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $67,617,403 | $20,160,627 | $15,776,882 | $11,319,547 |
| 2023 | $61,441,553 | $19,827,621 | $14,381,218 | $9,831,605 |
| 2022 | $51,543,713 | $14,279,734 | $11,807,593 | $7,995,749 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $67,617,403 | $61,441,553 | $51,543,713 |
| Revenue | $20,160,627 | $19,827,621 | $14,279,734 |
| Expenses | $15,776,882 | $14,381,218 | $11,807,593 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,210,828 | $1,840,607 | $1,571,186 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Greg Garrison as board chair and Doug Reed as vice chair. It lists Ardyce Whisler, Linda Maetzold, Carol Atkinson, Jeff Allen, Sherry Lesar, Laura Garbacz, Monica Pastor, and Gordon Cross as directors.
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc is led by Alan Davis, President on every filing since 2023; 2 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alan Davis
President
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$135K (2023) → $157K (2024)
Greg Garrison
Board Chair
Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betsy Bayne
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Atkinson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gordon Cross
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Shennan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Allen
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Witt
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Maetzold
Director
Board Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucy Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maureen Casey
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica Pastor
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sherry Lesar
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ardyce Whisler
Director
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caeli Quinn
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hank Ricklefs
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Garbacz
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Smith
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daria Perez
CFO
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$124K (2023) → $135K (2024)
Doug Reed
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brenden Craig
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Janice Case (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: John Collins (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ken Wessels (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Linda Engh-Grady (2020–2023) — Past President
- Former: David Dittman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jay Latimer (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Mike Shaw (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Ardy Whisler (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1060, Whitefish, MT 59937-1060
Phone: (406) 863-1781
Website: https://whitefishcommunityfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Whitefish Community Foundation Inc
How much does Whitefish Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc gave $11.3M across 158 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $9.8M across 154 grants.
What is Whitefish Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $43,198, and its average grant was $71,643, across 158 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Organizations receiving their first grant from Whitefish Community Foundation Inc that year got $29K on average.
Where does Whitefish Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Montana: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Whitefish, MT (50 grants), Kalispell, MT (48 grants), Missoula, MT (10 grants) and Bigfork, MT (5 grants).
Does Whitefish Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Whitefish Community Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (158 of 158) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
Who are Whitefish Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include North Valley Music School ($1,252,549), Dream Adaptive Recreation ($479,707) and Whitefish Legacy Partners ($354,404), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Whitefish Community Foundation Inc?
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc reported $67.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $20.2M.
What does Whitefish Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to foster philanthropy, build endowments, and help donors and nonprofits benefit the community. Its website describes the Community Grant Program as supporting initiatives that improve quality of life across the Flathead Valley. Other programs address youth health, safety, education and food security; emergency needs; community projects; and nonprofit capacity building. Grantees’ own missions illustrate the range of work supported. North Valley Music School says it p…
How do I apply for a grant from Whitefish Community Foundation Inc?
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 158 grants totaling $11,319,547. Grant amounts ranged from $5,209 to $1,252,549, with a median of $43,198. The largest reported grants included $1,252,549 to North Valley Music School, $479,707 to Dream Adaptive Recreation, $354,404 to Whitefish Legacy Partners, $351,769 to North Valley Food Bank, and $330,915 to Nate Chute Foundation. The foundation’s 2024 filing also describes specific program activity: its grant programs awarded $743,455 to 132 lo…
What is Whitefish Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Whitefish Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0533002. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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