Columbia Falls High School academics will get a boost from a new source of funding in the community.

The Columbia Falls High School Alumni/Community Academic Endowment is a new organization focused on investing in academics. On Thursday, the endowment will hold its first fundraiser.

Endowment funds will go to supporting academic subjects and clubs, supplementing areas where district funds aren’t available. Some examples include field trip funding, purchasing specialized equipment such as a pottery kiln, music instruments, sheet music, and upgrading lab equipment and technology.

“Community members, faculty and administration jointly brainstormed how we can better offer enhanced academic opportunities that simply lie beyond the district’s budget,” academic endowment trustee Bill Dakin said.

This academic endowment will complement the existing Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment, according to Dakin and endowment President Jeff Henning.

“We felt it was time to start academics and arts endowment and reach the other part of the school,” Henning said.

Dakin said the academic endowment is an avenue for alumni and community members to show support for the school’s students who have notched several achievements, including nine straight state speech and debate titles, state science fair triumphs and a state math star.

“This is an opportunity for us to invest in our students, children and grandchildren,” Dakin said.

The endowment is hosting its first fundraiser — an academic arts showcase and auction — at Truby’s Fine Foods and Spirits at Meadow Lake Resort in Columbia Falls from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

The event will feature entertainment provided by students, a student art showcase, live and silent auctions, finger food and a no-host bar.

Highlighted auction items include paintings by alumni Allen Jimmerson, Nellie Lutz and Rusti Warner and other area painters such as Todd Hileman and Greg Trenerry; photography by Joshua DeMotts and Rachel Spray; pottery by Robert Markle and original work by students. Other items include various desserts, books, wine, clothing and gift baskets.

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the high school office, NAPA of Columbia Falls, RE/MAX Mountain View or from endowment trustees.

Endowment trustees include Henning, Dakin, Alyson Dorr, Denise Falkner, Tara Norick, Cami Stolte, Rich Thompson and Vicki Wirkus.

For more information or to donate, call 892-6500, email [email protected] or visit columbiahs.sharpschool.net/alumni_fund.

Donations may also be mailed to CFHS Academic and Alumni Fund, P.O. Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].