Sixteen years ago, the Elkhorn Community Foundation was only a dream.
Last week the foundation gave away $4063 to five area groups to support worthy causes aimed at bettering the community.
According to a recent newsletter by the group, “The Elkhorn Community Foundation began in 2012 with a dream. Inspired people, and the hope that by combining our financial resources and pocket change a foundation could be formed that would aid in the development of our area by forming a permanent endowment.”
That dream became a reality when 89 different individuals and groups joined the Founder’s Circle.
“The Founder’s Circle members saw the vision of a permanent endowment and supported it for the long-term benefit of the community. Members of this group gave $100 or more to the Foundation in the time before the fund reached $25,000,” explains the foundation newsletter.
Since then the overall endowment has grown to more than $60,000, thanks to donations and fund raisers. That money will remain untouched to earn interest that can go to support community causes within the Jefferson High School district borders.
Five organizations applied earlier this year for the grants presented last week, and all five received funding.
The Old Red Schoolhouse Foundation in Clancy was presented with $800 to go toward replacing gutters to maintain the integrity of the building.
The Heritage Center and Jefferson County Genealogy Society also received $800. That money will go to purchase acid free photo storage to protect the historic photos.
Another $800 grant went to Growing Community Naturally to install walkways around the community garden near Eastside Park.
The Animal Shelter and Care Committee was also the recipient of an $800 grant. That group holds animal spay and neuter clinics twice a year and also offers low-cost animal shot clinics.
The final grant went to the Jefferson County Fair Board in the amount of $863. That money will be used by volunteers to promote the existing bike barn on the fair grounds. Plans call for installing signs, providing brochures about area businesses and attractions, promoting the bike barn on the internet through sites popular with cyclists, and placing bike racks crafted by Jefferson High shop students in town, among other efforts.
Erika Morris of the ECF said the group has awarded grants every year since it was formed. The first year, the statewide Montana Community Foundation added incentive money, but since then the grants have all come through local efforts such as the blue tree at Christmas, a spot at the holiday bazaar and newsletter appeals. Donors can have their funds go to the endowment or straight back to the community, she said.
To learn more, visit the website at community.mtcf.org/elkhorncf. Donations may also be sent to PO Box 224, Boulder, MT 59632.
