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Category Archives: Projects at Work

International Choral Fest choirs come to Polson – wows audience!

Choirs from around the world travel to Missoula for the International Choral Festival held once every three years. On Tuesday, July 16, two of those choirs were right here in Polson giving a free-of-charge performance at the Polson High School auditorium. 

The accomplished Eller Girls’ Choir from Estonia and the
Veus – Cor infantil Amics de la Unió, Catalonia/Spain Choir from Catalonian Spain shared their beautiful voices and a bit of their unique cultures as a part of the “outreach program” of the festival. The International Choral Festival is devoted to fostering cultural exchange and good will through the universal language of music by bringing world class choirs to other Montana towns before and after the main Festival in Missoula, July 17-20. It is sponsored by the Montana Arts Council’s Cultural Trust and the Greater Polson Community Foundation.

What an absolute treat for our community. We hope they will take fond memories of Polson, Montana, USA back to their countries with them.

GPCF Boosts the Boys & Girls Club

GPCF Awards $50,000 and Pledges Another $50,000 to New Polson B&G Club Facility

The Greater Polson Community Foundation (GPCF) hand-delivered $50,000 to the new Boys and Girls Club (B&G Club) soon to be constructed in Polson, and pledged another $50,000. This donation is the largest the GPCF has made since it was first organized in 2008.

                Toni Young, GPCF president, on behalf of our generous donors, presented a $50,000 check to Aric Cooksley, executive director of the local B&G Club, at the annual “Great Futures Breakfast” held Tuesday, April 3 at the newly remodeled and expanded B&G Club facility in Ronan attended by 166 B&G Club supporters.

Another $50,000 will be awarded by the GPCF in the near future when the B&G Club fund-raising campaign committee needs a special “boost” to get them over the goal line of raising the required $4.5 million.  Then construction of the new Polson facility can begin.  GPCF directors and donors see this second installment as a “challenge match” that will inspire other organizations and individuals to get behind a project that will offer so many positive opportunities to our children and teenagers, both now and for future generations.  “We are all about permanent investments in our community,” said Penny Jarecki, Chair of the GPCF Philanthropy Committee.

This $100,000 has been accumulating in a special “set aside” fund the GPCF directors and donors created several years ago to jumpstart or complete projects that would make a significant and permanent impact on the greater Polson community. The new Polson B&G Club is exactly the kind of permanent project the directors and donors had in mind because it fills such a vital need in Polson.

Toni Young stated, “Our Foundation has a strong commitment to kids in Polson, giving them the best opportunities possible as well as the potential to change their lives.  The entire community of Polson, but young and old, will benefit from the addition of this wonderful facility.”

Polson soon to be in BLOOM

The Polson Chamber of Commerce is asking for your sustaining support for the Polson Hanging Flower Baskets and Holiday Decorations.

Thanks to your generosity, we are able to continue a more than 20-year tradition that has enhanced the visual appeal and western welcome to Polson, creating an inviting place for residents and visitors. The Polson Chamber of Commerce has purchased, helped hang and with help from the City of Polson, cared for the flower baskets on Highway 93, Main Street and First Streets East and West. This amount includes purchasing the flowering baskets and paying the city’s expenses to water and care for them on a daily basis.

This year, the chamber is replacing aging holiday decorations on Highway 93 with new holiday banners.

Because the Greater Polson Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, your generous donation is tax deductible. Please fill out the pledge form below and mail your gift today to the Greater Polson Community Foundation, P.O. Box 314, Polson, MT 59860.

Your connection to the Polson Community and generosity is greatly appreciated.

In order to receive your tax receipt, please make checks, corporate matches, or others gifts payable to: Greater Polson Community Foundation (GPCF). Your donation receipt will be mailed to you directly.

Broadway comes to Mission Valley this Friday. “Bravissimo Broadway”

Friday, April 5th – Ronan Performing Arts Center – 7 p.m.

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Grant Deadline Nears

The 2019 grant application deadline is Friday, April 26, 2019. Grant applications will be accepted from non-profit organizations with a 501c(3) status in the Greater Polson area. Grants from the Greater Polson Community Foundation make a significant difference. Over $500,000.00 has been contributed to meet needs in our community since grants were first awarded in 2009. Grants are funded annually by the earning’s from the foundation’s growing permanent endowment and other available GPCF funds. Past grant awards have supported a variety of youth and community projects. GPCF President Toni Young says “our grant funding support to our community non-profits and their projects is a highlight of our year”.
The Committee is looking for how well the prospective project matches the mission and values of the GPCF as well as addressing critical needs that strengthen our community. As you prepare your application, think about how your project can enhance and improve the lives of the people who live here.
GPCF will accept applications for pre-screen (we will preview and advise on completeness) until April 12th, 2019 and complete applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 26th 2019. The complete 2019 Grant Application is available to download online at www.greaterpolsoncommunityfoundation.org where you will also find a list of previous GPCF grant recipients. If you have questions or would like to register for a grant workshop, please contact Jennifer at the GPCF office at (406) 883-4723.

GIRLS…Make a Statement – PEACE weekend retreat!

PEACE received the Greater Polson Community Foundation Grant to hold this special retreat! We have partnered with Statement, a non-profit organization out of Spokane, WA which has developed this amazing material!

Participants will come away with a better understanding of:
• How to recognize red flags in dating abuse
• How to identify the different forms of dating abuse
• How to recognize their true potential
• How to set clear boundaries and define true values
• How to have effective goal setting
• How to increase leadership skills
• How to apply respect in their everyday life
• How to increase self-esteem
• How to make a positive impact in their community through volunteering
• How to nurture healthy relationships with parents and friends

Enroll your daughter today! She is sure to “Make A Statement!”
Cost is $35 for the entire weekend! Please Register by March 10th!

Register online at https://www.peacemt.com/events-1/red-flag-teen-retreat

FLIC – get your cinema on this weekend!

Flathead Lake International Cinemafest – January 25-27th, 2019

Grant Writing Workshops

To jumpstart the opening of the 2019 cycle, GPCF is planning two Grant Application Workshops at the GPCF offices – Lower Level of Salish Building – 110 Main Street, Polson, MT  on Thursday, February 21st or Tuesday, February 26th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Either of these workshop sessions are available for the first ten participants to register for either session and pay $5.00 (light lunch included) This workshop will walk an applicant through the basic grant application process which is beneficial to non-profits writing grants or foundation requests for funding and more specifically the GPCF application process. GPCF will accept applications for pre-screen (we will preview and advise on completeness) until April 12th, 2019 and complete applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 26th 2019. The complete 2019 Grant Application is available to download online at www.greaterpolsoncommunityfoundation.org where you will also find a list of previous GPCF grant recipients. If you have questions or would like to register for a grant workshop, please contact Jennifer at the GPCF office at (406) 883-4723.

The 2019 grant application deadline is Friday, April 26, 2019. Grant applications will be accepted from non-profit organizations with a 501c(3) status in the Greater Polson area. Grants from the Greater Polson Community Foundation make a significant difference. Over $500,000.00 has been contributed to meet needs in our community since grants were first awarded in 2009. Grants are funded annually by the earning’s from the foundation’s growing permanent endowment and other available GPCF funds. Past grant awards have supported a variety of youth and community projects. GPCF President Toni Young says “our grant funding support to our community non-profits and their projects is a highlight of our year”.
The Committee is looking for how well the prospective project matches the mission and values of the GPCF as well as addressing critical needs that strengthen our community. As you prepare your application, think about how your project can enhance and improve the lives of the people who live here.

Wylie & the Wild West – Mission Valley Live series

Friday, January 18th @ Polson High School – 7 p.m.

Wylie & the Wild West – Mission Valley Live presents:

Working together is a BIG DILL for Pickleball

Working together is a BIG DILL for Polson Pickleball
It was a cold chilly day but it was a big dill for the Greater Polson Community Foundation, board members of the Friends of Regional Parks and Trails (FORPAT) and local Pickleball enthusiasts to gather and celebrate recent project milestones. With matching grant funding from GPCF and FORPAT and a donation from Providence St. Joe’s, the City of Polson Parks and Recreation Department completed the 3 courts which included fencing, surfacing and painting.
It was reported in 2017 that there are 2.8 million Pickleball players in the United States – an increase of 12.3% over the previous year. Based on the growing popularity of pickleball in the greater Polson area, there was a clearly a need for public courts dedicated strictly for that use. The past two years, the Mission Valley hosted the Montana Senior Olympics which included Pickleball in Polson as the main draw.
The Greater Polson Community Foundation facilitates and invests the development of a robust and welcoming community and is the mission of the Friends of the Regional Parks and Trails group (FORPAT) to protect, preserve and develop Flathead reservation area parks and trails systems while conserving green space. This is another example of necessary collaborations for the good of our communities.
You can visit www.greaterpolsoncommunityfoundation.org to find out about making a difference in your community or making an online directed gift to one of the many worthwhile projects in our area. If you would like more information about the Pickleball courts project please call Polson City Hall at 883-8200.