Valley County Community Foundation 25th Anniversary Dinner Celebration

In 1999, in a small room tucked in the corner of a local eatery sat an attorney, an accountant and several driven community members who were looking into the crystal ball of the future who wanted to ensure the growth and success of Valley County. With those great minds came the establishment of the Valley County Community Foundation (VCCF), a steward of an endowment savings account, for the sole purpose of providing capital funds to Valley County organizations to invest in projects around our communities for years to come.

In honor of VCCF’s 25th anniversary celebration, we invite everyone to join us for a free foundation dinner on Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Glasgow Elk’s Club where VCCF director and local BBQ master, Sam Waters, will be serving a delicious beef brisket dinner. Join our directors, past grant and scholarship winners, local donors and community members to learn more about the VCCF and help us celebrate a very successful 25 years. No host social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and program to follow.

In 2000, the board of directors for the VCCF requested applications for grant projects and awarded two grants totaling $1,100: one to the Lustre School to purchase banquet tables for community use, and a second to the Hinsdale FFA Chapter to improve the Hinsdale City Park. The grant funds available for distribution were the interest earnings from the endowment in just one year.

And now, 25 years later, the board of directors still meet in local establishments, where applications are reviewed, discussions are had, and awards are made. The VCCF board of 11 directors has been entrusted to manage the endowment value of $1,500,596 (as of June 30, 2024) which is invested with the Montana Community Foundation. Annual distributions from the endowment are given back to the community in the form of grants. As the endowment continues to grow, so does the amount distributed back annually.

The VCCF has distributed $436,376 in the form of grants to the great communities in Valley County. In the most recent grant cycle, the VCCF awarded its largest amount, $45,246, to 12 organizations, which included funds for new flooring at the Nashua Senior Center, playground equipment for the city park in Opheim, and upgrading lighting at the Glasgow City-County Library.

As the VCCF celebrates 25 years of service and commitment to Valley County this year, as a board, we wanted to highlight some the wonderful projects that have been funded and supported.

City Park improvements in Hinsdale, Opheim and Fort Peck

Fire fighting equipment in Fort Peck, Nashua and Glasgow

Handicap bathrooms and concessions area at the Fort Peck Summer Theatre

Purchasing chairs and tables for community centers in Lustre, Opheim, Nashua, Hinsdale and Glasgow

A dance floor purchase and construction for Prairie Ridge Village

Construction costs for the Valley View Home (roof repairs), the Valley Event Center, the Glasgow swimming pool, the Glasgow Wrestling Club building, and the Northeast Montana Veterans Memorial.

A full list of grant awards can be found on our website at valleycountycf.net.

Not only does VCCF manage the grant program, but the board also oversees three scholarship programs.

In 2007 the Feda Family donated money to create the Feda Scholarship specifically for the trades. Since the first scholarship awarded in 2009, the Feda Scholarship has awarded 41students with $63,018 for further education in the trades, including but not limited to plumbing, electrical, welding, and medical technicians.

The Fuhrman Scholarship was established in 2007 for second year students pursuing secondary education at a university, institution of specialized study or trade school. The first awards were given out in 2011 and since then $48,222 has been awarded to 35 students.

The most recent scholarship endowment was funded in 2018 to establish the Thomas & Cynthia Markle Scholarship for advanced degrees including masters, doctorate, or port-doctorate level degrees. Since its first award in 2022, the scholarship has distributed $24,890 to 8 students.

The grants and scholarship programs are available to Valley County residents and organizations from the thoughtfulness and foresight of our donors who are passionate to see Valley County remain an active and growing community. Donations are always welcome and can be made online at valleycountycf.net or mailed to PO Box 304, Glasgow. For more information, full lists of our previous grant and scholarship awards, and applications for both grants and scholarships can be found by visiting our website at valleycountycf.net.