The Whitefish School Board accepted a $100,000 check from Whitefish Education Foundation last week to fund the purchase of additional music instruments.  

With that, Whitefish Education Foundation has reached its goal of raising over $400,000 for its Make Music Resonate campaign. In addition, $100,000 has been set aside with the Whitefish Community Foundation for a music instrument endowment, which won't be touched for at least 10 years. 

"We know that the future of music education is taken care of in this district," said Jesse Kuntz, the foundation’s executive director. "We know this community loves art, music and education, but I think it really does show that we have the potential to meet the needs of the district in a big way." 

The music campaign was Whitefish Education Foundation’s first capital campaign since its founding in 2005. It is just one mark of the organization's growth as it enters its third decade of improving education.  

In 2023, the foundation gave around $32,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors. This year, that amount hit $90,000. 

Whitefish Education Foundation volunteers put in at least 2,000 hours last year, including mentoring high school students through the scholarship application process. Those hours do not include any board meetings, notable as the foundation only has one employee in Kuntz. 

Whitefish Education Foundation set aside $35,000 for education enhancement grants last year, which supported classroom needs for students and teachers. In addition, the foundation put $32,000 into professional and student learning opportunities.  

Kuntz said this year the organization is putting resources towards a parent guidance platform for mental health. And, the organization is allocating $10,000 towards field trips for Muldown and Whitefish Middle, each.  

"We know that's an area we can continue to improve as transportation costs increase," Kuntz said.  

This year, Whitefish Education Foundation raised $66,834 through the Great Fish Community Challenge, which will be matched with an additional $25,000 by the Whitefish Community Foundation’s Circle of Giving. It also applies for community grants from the Community Foundation each year, which support causes such as the eighth-grade history trip last year.  

Other fundraisers include fun runs and the Whitefish Schools Rock party, which offer a fun way to help support the foundation’s family involvement teams, which operate similar to a PTA.  

Last year, the foundation had 21 business partners. It's typically a one-time ask annually with a few benefits offered in exchange.  

"Every year, the education foundation has been growing and thriving, thanks to our supportive community and volunteers. It's been wonderful, but I also think we have room to grow," Kuntz said.  

She said that sharing the organization's mission can help.  

"I think for a long time we were behind the scenes intentionally, because the teachers, the administration, were the stars of the show," she said.  

School board trustees expressed gratitude for Whitefish Education Foundation, and its willingness to take on the big and small, from backpacks to instruments to history trips. 

"Being on the board since Jesse came on, she's brought tons of innovate ideas and really pushed us further," said Trustee Jerrie Boksich. "I appreciate the attitude of Whitefish Education Foundation, that is, no teacher should have to take money out of their own pocket." 

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

    Whitefish Education Foundation Executive Director Jesse Kuntz at the organization's back to school bash. (Photo provided)