Over $38,000 In Grants Awarded To Local Communities Through Valley County Community Foundation

The Valley County Community Foundation is proud to announce that over $38,454 in grants will be distributed to our communities across Valley County to continue to support the VCCF mission: to fund economic, cultural, and charitable projects for generations to come.

Board Chair Doris Leader of Nashua explained that these grant funds come from something like the community’s savings account and are meant to thrive for years to come. Donations to VCCF are invested and earnings from this endowment come back to Valley County in the form of grants and scholarships.

“The grants given to local governments and nonprofits in Valley County assist by providing necessary items that they might not otherwise be able to obtain,” she said. “I am honored to be a part of the Board of VCCF. The donations to this organization go to very worthy recipients in Valley County.”

During a regular meeting held on April 18, 2023, the VCCF board award the following nine grants:

Opheim School – $691.00 to purchase educational toys and supplies for the Pre-K department.

Kiwanis of Montana on behalf of the Boy Scouts – $4,369.00 for insulation and roofing for the Boy Scouts fair booth building.

Kiwanis of Montana on behalf of the Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team – $4,133.25 to purchase three new shelter tents for Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team to use during meets.

Glasgow Middle School Exploratory – $2,977.93 for an outdoor greenhouse educational area.

Glasgow Rodeo Committee on behalf of the Ridgerunners Saddle Club – $3,800.00 for replacing five doors at the Ridgerunners Saddle Club building.

NE Montana Victim Services – $3,125.00 for the Children’s Advocacy Center play set and supplies.

Town of Fort Peck – $5,000.00 to purchase and install five outdoor light sconces at the Northeast Montana Veteran’s Memorial.

Fort Peck Fine Arts Council – $2,000.00 to replace skylights and repair ventilation in the concession’s addition of the theatre building.

City of Glasgow – $11,858.18 for engineering and construction costs for the existing pool demolition.

During the meeting, the Board also welcomed the newest board member Laurel Wagemen, of Glasgow, who replaces long term board member Gary Wagemen who served on the VCCF for 24 years. Other board members are Vice President Sam Waters, Treasurer Maggan Walstad, Secretary Darla Larson, Jean Carlson, Cindy Markle, Jeff Sanders, Greg Stordahl, and Whitney Tatafu.

Financial gifts to the VCCF from local residents, and others who treasure life here, are invested with the statewide Montana Community Foundation. Earnings from VCCF funds provide money for these grants, along with three separate scholarship programs. From its origination in 1999 to the present, VCCF has awarded over $331,000 in grants for 165 projects and given $79,000 in scholarships.

Non-profit organizations with 501 (c) (3) tax status, educational institutions, and government entities, all within Valley County, are welcome to apply for grants. Applications for the annual grants are available in January and due March 31st annually.

For information, visit http://www.valleycountycf.net. And don’t forget to check out our Facebook page @ValleyCountyCommunityFoundation.