North Valley Music School received a remarkable holiday surprise recently. Whitefish residents and philanthropists Jim and Lisa Stack donated $500,000 to finish the fundraising campaign for the new music school facility at Smith Fields. 

The Stacks are known for their commitment to the Whitefish community and supporting nonprofits. The two own Stack Financial Management, a nationally recognized and independent investment firm. They served as King and Queen in the Whitefish Winter Carnival in 2010 and regularly participate in the parade as Vikings. 

“We are both crazy about music and dancing, having both played in our high school bands in Kalispell and Cut Bank as we were growing up,” said Stack. “We’ve been watching the North Valley Music School campaign closely and started thinking, ‘What if we could take this to the finish line in time for the holidays?’ 

“We are happy to support music education in the Flathead Valley,” they added. “This project will benefit our community for generations to come.”  

With demand for music education exceeding available resources, the North Valley Music School team launched the “Be Instrumental” capital campaign in 2022. The goal was to raise $7.5 million for a new building and endowment.  

The Stacks’ $500,000 gift, combined with Joe Guerra’s $100,000 donation in honor of his wife, Julia Lovern, gave the school the funds it needed to complete the campaign. The donors made their intentions known around Thanksgiving. 

North Valley Music School Executive Director Deidre Corson said the donations were the best holiday gift the school could have hoped for. 

"We are deeply grateful to Jim and Lisa Stack for this transformative act of generosity which puts the final touch on building the future home for music education,” said Corson. “Their donation will allow us to expand our reach and enrich lives through music for generations. 

“From all of us at North Valley Music School, we are excited to begin this new chapter and share the gift of music with our community,” she added. 

Last Friday, the music school board of directors, fundraising team members and staff gathered at the new school’s construction site to give the Stacks a tour of the 8,100 square-foot building where the Stacks’ support will be recognized in the main, multipurpose performance space.  

The land for the new North Valley Music School was donated by Project Whitefish Kids and the city of Whitefish which highlights a strong partnership and commitment to the future of music education.  

Rossi said North Valley Music School is grateful for every single contribution to the campaign, from the elementary students who ran a lemonade stand to raise funds, to the private foundations who included the school in their annual giving. 

"The impact of this contribution is profound and an emotional moment for all of us at North Valley Music School,” said Rossi. “On behalf of the entire North Valley Music School family, we sincerely thank Jim and Lisa Stack for this incredible gift.” 

For more information visit nvms.me. 

Rossi said over 650 donors have helped make the new North Valley Music School a reality, including those who supported at a studio sponsor level and higher: 

Jack & Gloria Kramer Family Foundation 

The Allen Family  

The Baldridge Family 

The Broussard Family and the Family Foundation 

Cadeau Foundation  

Scot and Carrie Chisholm 

Mark Doyle and Tina Colstead 

The Duff Family 

Steve Lull 

The MJ Murdock Charitable Trust 

Tom and Teresa Quinn 

Mark and Shirly Schmidt 

G. Stacy and Ashley Smith 

Bill Montgomery and Stillwater Landing 

Brogan Thomsen 

The Treacy Foundation  

Linda Ardell Wendfeldt 

Whitefish Community Foundation 

Dave and Judy Williams