MCF in the News
Every Drop Counts: Alpenscapes unifies a vision for resilient and sustainable landscaping in Big Sky
Apr 1, 2024
Water-wise. Fire-safe. Ecosystem-friendly. What do these terms mean, and how do they define steps the community should be taking to ensure a more resilient and sustainable future for our water resources?
Introducing the theory behind Alpenscapes, a partnership among Big Sky organizations dedicated to a future that encompasses all of the practices and principles that point to smarter landscaping and thriving landscapes.
Alpenscapes is the collaboration between four community organization partners—Gallatin River Task Force, Big Sky SNO, Grow Wild and the Big Sky Fire Department. This program takes a proactive look at our landscapes and the fundamental impact they have on our ecosystems.
Water conservation and sustainability is the focus of Alpenscapes. The Gallatin River Task Force has identified water conservation as a priority for many years, launching the Big Sky Water Conservation Program in 2016 to address concerns for a growing Big Sky and its simultaneously diminishing water supply.
The Big Sky Way: From compassion to action
Nov 8, 2023
Big Sky wouldn’t be where it is today without the tireless efforts of local nonprofit organizations.
Our community is home to a remarkable number of nonprofits offering programming and services in areas from healthcare and recreation to conservation and arts. These organizations provide essential services, create vibrant cultural events, enhance our local environment, and much more. At the time of publication, the Big Sky Resort Area District has 42 registered nonprofits doing business within district boundaries.
Grants are financial awards typically provided by a government agency, foundation or organization to support a specific project, research or initiative. Based on the data from financial statements, grants are responsible for the largest portion of fundraising in Big Sky. Local grants from community foundations awarded a total of $2,699,708 between fall of 2022 and spring of 2023. These philanthropic organizations include:
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- Moonlight Community Foundation: focuses on community wellbeing by supporting initiatives for youth, education, conservation and under-served needs.
- Spanish Peaks Community Foundation: supports programs that have the greatest impact in community services, education, conservation and recreation, and the arts.
- Yellowstone Club Community Foundation: fosters philanthropy, volunteerism, and capacity building for organizations in the greater Big Sky region that are addressing the greatest needs in the areas of livability, healthy & wellness, environment, arts and education.
Good Deeds granted $1.39 million to support workforce homeownership
Jul 13, 2023
With seven deed-restricted properties in the ‘Good Deeds’ program, the Big Sky Community Housing Trust aims for more after collaborative grant from Elevate Big Sky.
In Big Sky, no good deed goes unnoticed. After exhausting the Good Deeds program budget halfway through its inaugural fiscal year, the Big Sky Community Housing Trust knew that the local workforce is interested in owning affordable Big Sky homes.
Good Deeds started in the spring of 2022 and aims to preserve existing housing for working residents, provide grants for downpayments and place permanent deed restrictions on properties for people serving the Big Sky community. The program takes after efforts in similar towns, like Vail’s InDeed program.
On June 22, Elevate Big Sky provided Good Deeds with a collaborative grant totaling to $1.39 million: $800,000 from Resort Tax and $560,000 from Elevate Big Sky’s board.
Great Things Happen Outside
Sep 30, 2022
Camp Moonlight successfully wrapped up their 8th season last month. The camp has continued to grow each year, with 2022 being the first year the extended summer program was offered under the leadership of Lex Hinchey. This adventure-oriented program emphasizes education, awareness, and conservation values while fostering a greater appreciation for the natural world.
Moonlight Community Foundation awards spring grants
Jun 14, 2022
Seventeen local nonprofit organizations received a total of $236,700 in funding through Moonlight Community Foundation’s annual spring grant cycle. The foundation reported that this is the largest spring grant cycle it’s had to date.
Each grant was awarded to an organization that supports initiatives for youth, education, conservation or underserved needs in the Big Sky community.
New collaborative aims to support community initiatives, solutions
May 2, 2022
Elevate Big Sky launches with inaugural meeting
In an effort to mobilize resources and address community needs, Big Sky’s four major philanthropic organizations are teaming up to create a new funding collaborative known as Elevate Big Sky.
Intended to develop a funding mechanism and resource pool that will tackle complex challenges in the community, Elevate Big Sky will work to develop strategic solutions, invite grantee proposals and organize resources. These efforts will address three core focus areas the collaborative has identified: livability, health and wellness, and environment.
HATCH launches 2021 NextGen Program with Focus on Supporting Equity & Young Women in STEM
Sep 24, 2021
HATCH awards $48,000 in scholarship funds to under-represented students around the United States thanks to our partners Kimberly-Clark, Steelcase, Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Moonlight Community Foundation, the Gallatin River Task Force, and many individual contributions from the HATCH community.
HATCH is excited to announce our 2021-22 NextGen program in conjunction with our 25th HATCH Summit happening Sept 28-Oct 2, 2021.
This year’s cohort was curated around a passion for creating more equity and opportunities for minorities in STEM fields.
Big Sky nonprofits launch vaccine incentive program
May 27, 2021
With tourism season approaching, three Big Sky nonprofits have partnered with local health officials to offer a COVID-19 vaccine incentive program that includes free beverages and the chance to win big-ticket items like season passes at Big Sky Resort.
The incentive program is made possible through a partnership between the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Moonlight Community Foundation and Spanish Peaks Community Foundation as well as the Gallatin City-County Health Department and Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center.
Moonlight Community Foundation’s fall grants support 14 local nonprofits
Dec 29, 2020
The Moonlight Community Foundation (MCF) semi annual grant cycles and commitments to the Big Sky Relief Collaboration has generated over $365,000 that has been awarded to local nonprofits this year.
That includes the recent $129,000 that has been allocated to 14 local organizations in grants and scholarships “to support programs and initiatives for youth, education, conservation, and the underserved needs benefiting Big Sky,” a press release said.
MCF aims to bridge the Moonlight Basin Community to “Causes that Matter,” executive director Anna Shipley explained.
The organization informally started in 2011 and became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2014.
“Since 2015, MC has awarded over $1 million to local nonprofits who are working tirelessly to make Big Sky better for all of us. MCF holds two annual fundraisers – the Spring Social and Summer Bridge event,” Shipley said.
Big Sky to implement new surveillance testing program
Dec 1, 2020
The surveillance testing program is made possible through the efforts of Big Sky Relief partners including Moonlight Community Foundation.
A new COVID-19 surveillance testing program will officially launch in Big Sky on Dec. 7.
In the midst of a spike in cases in Big Sky and greater Gallatin County, and on the heels of Big Sky Resort opening for the season, stakeholders pointed to the importance of making efforts to keep the community healthy.
Tests will be free and self-administered, and made available to the Big Sky School District, individual community members, small businesses, healthcare and public safety employees, and large employers, according to a Nov. 25 press release from Big Sky Relief.
The surveillance testing program is made possible through the efforts of Big Sky Relief partners including the Big Sky philanthropic community, and Big Sky Resort Area District, as well as community employers, and Visit Big Sky.
Big Sky Relief is a partnership between BSRAD, Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Moonlight Community Foundation, and Spanish Peaks Community Foundation, formed in March of 2020 to support COVID-19 relief efforts in Big Sky.