Giving Together: Giving today, investing in tomorrow

On summer evenings in the Flathead Valley, the hills come alive with music as families and friends gather for Glacier Symphony Night at Rebecca Farm. Children twirl on the lawn while others lean back in their chairs, soaking in the performance. 

For many, the annual concert series has become a cherished tradition. For Glacier Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, it’s part of a larger mission to bring music into the heart of the community.

Scenes like this unfold every day across the Flathead Valley. Local nonprofits create opportunities for connection, support neighbors in need, and enrich lives in ways both big and small.

What makes this work possible year after year is often something less visible — but just as important: a steady, reliable source of funding that allows nonprofits to plan for the future while continuing to serve today. For many, that stability comes through a permanent endowment fund.

An endowment is a permanent charitable fund designed to provide consistent support over time. Gifts are invested for the long term, and each year a portion of the earnings is distributed to the nonprofit. As the fund grows, so does the annual support — creating a dependable source of funding.

For Glacier Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, its endowment plays an important role as the organization enters its 44th season. Programs like the summer concerts at Rebecca Farm, performances at Logan Health, and outreach in local schools and libraries bring music to people of all ages. The endowment provides a strong foundation for the future.

The Humane Society of Northwest Montana offers another example of how endowment funding strengthens nonprofit work behind the scenes.

Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Humane Society cares for animals while preparing them for adoption into loving homes. That work requires not only compassion, but consistency.

Its endowment provides a permanent financial foundation for daily operations and long-term planning. With a predictable annual distribution, the organization can budget with greater confidence and demonstrate stability to donors investing in its future.

While the impact of endowments is seen through programs and services, their growth is made possible by people who care deeply about this community. For many, an endowment is also a meaningful way to leave a legacy — by including a gift in a will or trust that will support the causes they care about for generations.

Montana also offers a unique way to extend that generosity. Through the Montana Endowment Tax Credit, individuals who make a planned gift to a qualified charitable endowment may receive a credit on their Montana state income taxes — up to $15,000 for individuals and $30,000 for couples filing jointly. It’s a powerful incentive that supports the long-term strength of local nonprofits while offering a meaningful tax benefit.

Whitefish Community Foundation partners with nonprofits and donors to build and steward these funds, helping ensure organizations across the Flathead Valley have the resources they need not just for today, but for years to come. The Foundation currently manages 50 nonprofit endowment funds totaling more than $30 million in assets, which have distributed $4.8 million since 2015.

In a place like Northwest Montana, where neighbors look out for one another and community runs deep, endowments are one way we can carry that spirit forward.

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.