Founders of the Whitefish Community Foundation gathered at the Buffalo Cafe 26 years ago to ponder the start of an organization that would go on to have an unprecedented impact on the Flathead Valley.  

Scrawled onto a sticky note at that first meeting was a message that has guided the Whitefish Community Foundation into 2026: “Our job is not to compete for a slice of the pie, but to make it bigger.” 

As the foundation has grown and celebrated its 25th anniversary over the last year, CEO and President Alan Davis said that quote has stood the test of time. 

Contributions grew from $17 million in 2024 to $34 million in 2025. Grants soared from $15 million to $21 million. The Circle of Giving donor program grew by 92 members to a total of 280. 

More than 4,200 people donated during the Great Fish Community Challenge last year, which translated to a record $8.1 million raised for 85 nonprofits. 

“Every gift, regardless of size, is a vote of confidence for nonprofits,” Davis said. “It says, ‘I believe in what you are doing.’” 

The Circle of Giving’s ability to multiply donations by funding a match for the Great Fish Challenge continues to be a momentous boost.  

The Circle of Giving is the Foundation's core group of donors who give $5,000 or more annually. In addition to matching a portion of dollars raised for the challenge, the Circle of Giving funds grant programs such as community grants, youth sports, kids fund, capacity building, emergency response, major community projects and micro grants.  

The most recent cycle of community grants had a record 92 applicants. 

As the foundation’s impact has grown, so too has a need to invest in the organization’s capacity. This spring, the foundation created a new position for a chief development officer, bringing the staff to seven full-time employees.  

Filling the new chief development officer role is Lynette Donaldson, a Community Foundation employee of 10 years who was previously serving as director of programs. Jill Seigmund, former marketing and communications director, transitioned to the director of programs.  

The marketing and communications position was filled by new employee Molly Wright.  

Wright comes to the foundation after working at Flathead Valley Community College. Born and raised in Kalispell, Wright attended Montana State University in Bozeman, and earned a master’s in communications in Seattle, where she worked for about five years before moving home and taking the role at FVCC.  

“I really fell in love with the philanthropy and the nonprofit space, and getting to participate in the challenge and see the impact it had on the college and all the nonprofits across the region,” Wright said. “I feel called to the mission, and I’m called to have the ability to be a part of that impact too.”  

Davis said the marketing and communications role is important for raising awareness.  

“Last year was a huge push to sharpen the messaging around our valley-wide impact. And that’s the biggest thing that contributed to the increased numbers, is just the fact that more people knew about us and what we do. 

As Wright handles communications, other staff now have more capacity to serve donors and nonprofits, Davis said. Needs include accommodating the growing Great Fish Challenge and Circle of Giving programs, as well as handling endowments. 

Davis noted that stewarding nonprofit dollars through endowments is a key part of the foundation’s mission. They are experts in utilizing the Montana endowed tax credit, he said.  

Davis said they aim to have their next new board member come from the greater valley to provide better geographic representation, and are exploring creating a resource hub for nonprofits in Kalispell. 

Above all, the foundation strives to follow its mission. 

“What we have going is working, and we need to stay true to that,” he said. “That mission is to work with donors and nonprofits to benefit the Flathead, grow endowment funds, and lift up the nonprofits so they can be as strong as they can be.” 

Editor Kelsey Evans can be reached at 406-862-3505 [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support