Giving Together: Turning Tax Season into Opportunities for Students

On a spring morning in Kalispell, a group of elementary students huddle around a table, testing a small robot they’ve just programmed to navigate a maze. Their laughter fills the classroom when it veers off course, then quickly turns to problem-solving as they adjust their code and try again. Moments like this that are hands-on, curiosity-driven and full of possibility are becoming more common across Kalispell Public Schools.

Behind many of these experiences is the work of the Kalispell Education Foundation, which partners with teachers to expand learning opportunities beyond what traditional budgets can provide. From classroom innovation grants to enrichment programs, the foundation helps bring creative ideas to life, encouraging students to explore, discover and grow.

For local residents Carol and John Santa, supporting this kind of learning felt deeply personal. Carol was a teacher, a curriculum director for School District 5, and an author of several nationwide reading programs. John is a clinical psychologist, and together with their partners John and Rosemary McKinnon, they founded and operated Montana Academy, a therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens. Together, they’ve seen the lasting impact that engaged, well-supported classrooms can have.

When they began thinking about how to give back, they didn’t have to look far. They wanted to invest in students and teachers in their own community, supporting the kind of educational experiences they know can shape a child’s future.

Last year, the Santas made a gift to the Kalispell Education Foundation Endowment Fund held at Whitefish Community Foundation. Their support helps ensure that funding for innovative classroom programs will continue not just this year, but for years to come.

Their decision was also shaped by something many of us are thinking about this time of year: taxes. 

For individuals aged 70½ and older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution from an IRA offers a simple and tax-efficient way to give. A Qualified Charitable Distribution allows you to transfer funds directly from your IRA to a nonprofit, avoiding income tax on that distribution. And if you are required to take a minimum distribution, a Qualified Charitable Distribution can count toward that annual requirement.

For the Santas, it was a practical way to align their financial planning with their values, supporting education while making a tax-smart decision.

“Giving from our IRA allowed us to do more for causes we care about,” John shared. “It’s meaningful to know our gift to their endowment will keep supporting students and teachers for years to come.”

Stories like Carol and John’s are a reminder that generosity often starts with something simple: a belief in the potential of others. When that belief is paired with thoughtful planning, it can maximize the impact far beyond a single gift.

Across the Flathead Valley, nonprofits like the Kalispell Education Foundation are working every day to strengthen our community — supporting students, families, and neighbors in ways both visible and behind the scenes. During tax season, many people are already taking a closer look at their finances, making it a natural time to consider how giving can be part of that picture.

Tax season can be a natural time to reflect on how you support Flathead Valley nonprofits. Gifts through a Qualified Charitable Distribution, appreciated stock, or a Donor Advised Fund are thoughtful ways to donate and often allow you to do more for the causes you care about. What matters most is finding a path that connects your values with the needs in our community.

Alan Davis is President and CEO of Whitefish Community Foundation. In 2025, the Foundation granted $21.5 million to nonprofits. He can be reached at [email protected] or (406) 863-1781.