Flathead County Library evaluates fundraising potential for new Kalispell branch
HANNAH SHIELDS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 2 weeks AGO
The Flathead County Library in Kalispell on Thursday, Oct. 9. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
RURAL GOVERNMENT REPORTER, REPORT FOR AMERICA Hannah Shields covers rural government and accountability reporting for the Daily Inter Lake and Northwest Montana weekly papers as part of the national Report for America program. Her reporting focuses on transparency, public spending and the impact of local government decisions on small communities. Shields has covered issues ranging from school district finances to development disputes and rural infrastructure projects. She regularly uses public records and investigative reporting to examine institutions that affect local residents. Her work helps bring greater oversight and visibility to rural government across Northwest Montana. IMPACT: Hannah’s work strengthens transparency and accountability in rural communities that often lack consistent watchdog coverage. | June 29, 2026 12:00 AM
A study to measure the fundraising potential for a new Kalispell library branch kicks off next month.
The Flathead County Library Board of Trustees is launching a five-month feasibility study in July to estimate how much in donations it can raise for a new library building in Kalispell. A grant from the Flathead Library Foundation, the library system’s main fundraising arm, underwrote the $35,000 study, and the results should be available by November.
BrandRaise, a Minnesota-based fundraising consultant for nonprofits, was hired by the board earlier this spring to conduct the study. Consultants believe there is a strong philanthropic community to support the construction project, according to a proposal submitted by BrandRaise in March.
They pointed to the campaign for a new library building in Bigfork as an example. The Flathead Library Foundation embarked on that campaign in 2017 and raised $3.2 million from 421 individual donors by 2024.
Consultants said voters are more likely to pass a bond to help fund the project if they see investment from private donors. Since a $105 million bond for a new county jail just passed in November, which raised property taxes on homeowners, they suggested waiting until 2028 before placing a bond before voters. Bonds need approval from county commissioners before appearing on the ballot.
Trustees said they will wait on the results of the feasibility study before considering a bond.
The Kalispell Library’s lease on its current building at 247 First Ave. E. ends in 2033. Negotiations are underway to purchase property at the Kalispell Center Mall for a new library location, and construction is aimed to start in 2029.
Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.
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