Eighty-six Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations will raise funds in Whitefish Community Foundation’s Great Fish Community Challenge Aug. 12 to Sept. 12, the highest number of nonprofits to participate in the 11-year history of the Challenge.

Whitefish Community Foundation’s Great Fish Community Challenge is a charitable giving campaign in which donors can choose to give to multiple Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations with a single transaction. At the conclusion of the campaign, Whitefish Community Foundation will award a percentage match on the first $25,000 raised by each participating organization. The match is made possible by Whitefish Community Foundation’s Circle of Giving donors, as well as donors who designate their gift to the Great Fish Match Fund.

Since 2015, the Great Fish Community Challenge has raised over $35 million for Flathead Valley nonprofits, including $6.7 million raised for 80 nonprofits in 2024.

“The growth of the Great Fish Community Challenge reflects the incredible spirit of giving in our community,” Whitefish Community Foundation President/CEO Alan Davis said. “With 86 nonprofits participating this year—the most ever—this is a powerful opportunity to give back. Everyone in the Flathead Valley is touched by a local nonprofit, and with the Great Fish Match on the table, the impact of your gift can go even further.”

This year’s campaign will kick off with the Great Fish Launch Party on Tuesday, August 12 at 5 p.m. at Glacier Bank Park, home of the Glacier Range Riders. Everyone is invited to this free event, featuring pizza, ice cream, beverages, family-friendly activities and the opportunity to learn about the nonprofits raising funds in this year’s Challenge. All attendees will be entered into a raffle drawing for the chance to win one of five $1,000 incentive grants for the participating nonprofit of their choice.

There is no cost for nonprofits to participate in the Challenge. Whitefish Community Foundation underwrites the cost of hosting the campaign with support from title sponsor BNSF and additional sponsors First Interstate Bank, Glacier Bank, Glacier Guides, Harris Financial, Iron Horse Foundation, JCCS, Park Side Credit Union, Stockman Bank, Summit Beverage, Three Rivers Bank and Whitefish Credit Union.

Whitefish Community Foundation will award incentive grants to nonprofits throughout the campaign. Donors will have numerous opportunities to help their favorite nonprofits win an incentive grant ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 between August 12 and September 12.

Nonprofits interested in participating in the 2025 Challenge applied through a comprehensive application process this spring. Of the 86 nonprofits invited to participate, six are new to the campaign. They are Alano Club of Kalispell, Columbia Falls Community Market, Discovery Developmental Center, Driving Hope, Flathead 4-H Foundation and West Shore Food Bank.

The following nonprofits will participate in this year’s Great Fish Community Challenge:

Abbie Shelter

Alano Club of Kalispell

Alpine Theatre Project

Amazing Place Music

Backpack Assistance Program

Big Brothers Big Sisters NW Montana

Bigfork ACES

Bigfork Art and Cultural Center

Bigfork Food Bank

Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation

Boys & Girls Club of Glacier Country

CASA for Kids

Center for Restorative Youth Justice

Child Bridge

Children’s House Montessori School

Code Girls United

Columbia Falls Community Market

Conrad Mansion Museum

Creston Firefighters Association

Discovery Developmental Center

DREAM Adaptive Recreation

Driving Hope

Flathead 4-H Foundation

Flathead Area Mountain Bikers

Flathead Audubon Society

Flathead County Sheriff's Posse

Flathead Food Bank

Flathead Industries

Flathead Land Trust

Flathead Library Foundation

Flathead Rapids Youth Soccer

Flathead Rivers Alliance

Flathead Valley Community College Foundation

Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation

Flathead Valley United

Flathead Warming Center

Flathead Youth Home

Foy's to Blacktail Trails

Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center

Gateway to Glacier Trails

Glacier Art Museum

Glacier Hockey Association

Glacier Institute

Glacier National Park Conservancy

Glacier Nordic Club

Glacier Skate Academy

Glacier Symphony, Orchestra & Chorale

Good Grief Group

Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley

Housing Whitefish

Humane Society of Northwest Montana

Immanuel Foundation

Kalispell Education Foundation

Land to Hand

Lighthouse Christian Home & Services

Logan Health Foundation

Montana Conservation Corps

Montana Kayak Academy

Montana Youth Diabetes Alliance

My Glacier Village

Nate Chute Foundation

North Valley Food Bank

North Valley Music School

Northwest Montana Community Land Trust

Northwest Montana History Museum

Project Whitefish Kids

Samaritan House

Shepherd's Hand

Sparrow's Nest of NW MT

Stumptown Art Studio

Tamarack Grief Resource Center

The Nurturing Center

Two Bear Therapeutic Riding Center

West Shore Food Bank

Whitefish Community Center

Whitefish Community Foundation

Whitefish Dog Park

Whitefish Education Foundation

Whitefish Firefighters Association

Whitefish Lake Institute

Whitefish Legacy Partners

Whitefish Review

Whitefish Theatre Co.

Whitefish Veterans Support Team

Wings Regional Cancer Support

Writing Coaches of Montana

For more information about Whitefish Community Foundation and the Great Fish Community Challenge, visit whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.