Application process starts on April 3 for Great Fish Challenge

Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for the Whitefish Community Foundation’s Great Fish Community Challenge must submit an online application between April 3 and April 28 at www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.

Nonprofits selected to participate in the Challenge will be notified June 1. The Whitefish Community Foundation offers this campaign free of charge to all participating nonprofits.

The Great Fish Community Challenge raised more than $1.4 million for 40 local nonprofits last year. This included a match fund of $322,000, which enabled the foundation to award a 55% match on the first $15,000 raised by each participating nonprofit.

This year the foundation is again dedicating $200,000 to the Great Fish Match Fund to launch the campaign, and the fund will grow as the campaign progresses and individuals are inspired to give. Because of the success of the Great Fish Challenge over the previous two years, the foundation will increase the number of participating charities from 40 to 45, and will award a percentage match on the first $20,000 raised by each nonprofit.

Again this year, all of the costs will be covered by the foundation, including advertising, administration, credit-card fees, marketing, and the community celebration, ensuring that 100 percent of each gift is received by the designated charity.

The campaign giving period will launch on July 20 and run until Sept. 15. The Great Fish 5K Color Run and Community Fair will be held Sept. 9 in Depot Park.

For more information about the Great Fish Challenge or the Whitefish Community Foundation, visit www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org or call 406-863-1781.