“This year we raised the most money ever for our community!” reports Lander Community Foundation (LCF) Executive Director Mary Greene. “Even in these unpredictable times, people stepped up to support essential nonprofit work. I am so grateful to our nonprofits for their continued hard work this year. My sincere gratitude goes out to the Challengers for their philanthropic leadership and generous support in building the second-highest matching pool in Challenge for Charities’ (C4C’s) history. LCF is honored to facilitate this community-wide fundraising event for the people of Lander.”
To participate, individuals and businesses can donate to the charities of their choice through LCF. This is a streamlined way for nonprofits to raise money while staying focused on their mission. Challengers are people who provide funding to a “matching pool.” The matching pool augments funds raised by the nonprofits. Matching funds can be as high as 60%. In this example, a nonprofit that raises $10,000 from donors would receive an additional $6,000 in matching funds.
This year, C4C had two Platinum Level donors, each donating $20,000 or more to the matching pool, and overall, 161 new donors and Challengers! “I feel good about donating to Challenge for Charities because that money stays here locally,” says Edward Jones Financial Advisor Lonnie Bull, a 2020 Platinum Challenger. “I could give money to any number of national charities, but that money then leaves our town. I want to support my neighbors—the people and organizations here in Lander.”
The philanthropic leadership from these local businesses and individuals allowed us to give a 60% match to the funds raised by the participating nonprofits. There were 41 participating nonprofits in 2020. They raised a record $362,000! The 2020 Challenger matching pool was $142,000, making a total of $504,000—another record. These funds are all poured back into Lander and used for local programs and projects.
“More nonprofits are raising more money through C4C each year. They recognize that this event is an effective tool for leveraging donations, and they’re becoming more adept at fundraising. That is just awesome,” Mary adds.
2020 Challenge for Charities Challengers and Sponsors
This year we raised the Challenger Level amounts and added an Iron Level Challenger for any contribution to the matching pool up to $999. We want to recognize some of these individuals and businesses whose generous leadership helped us raise the second-highest amount for the matching pool in history—thank you!
Platinum Level Challengers ($20,000 or more)
- Edward Jones – Lonnie Bull
- An anonymous donor
Titanium Level Challengers ($10,000-$14,999)
- Trey Warren & Householder Properties
- Friends of the Canyon
Silver Level Challengers ($5,000-$9,999)
- Paula & George Hunker
- First Interstate Bank
- St. John’s Health
- An anonymous donor
Bronze Level Challengers ($1,000-$4,999)—22 donors
Iron Level Challengers (up to $999)—28 donors
These are the 2020 Participating Nonprofits & Fiscally Sponsored Groups for Challenge for Charities
- Academy of the Winds
- Almost Home Wyoming
- Alpha Recreation Center
- Apple Valley School
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fremont County
- Bighorn Restoration Group
- Central Wyoming Climbers’ Alliance
- Central Wyoming College Foundation
- Child Development Services
- First Stop Help center
- Fremont County Pioneer Association
- Fremont County Search & Rescue
- Friends of the Lander Golf Course
- Good Samaritan Community Meal
- Help for Health Hospice
- Lander Area Pathways through Lander Parks & Recreation
- Lander Art Center
- Lander Care and Share Food Bank
- Lander Children’s Museum
- Lander Christmas Baskets
- Lander Community Concerts Association
- Lander Community Foundation (unmatched)
- Lander Cycling Club
- Lander Dog Park through Lander Parks & Recreation
- Lander Library Friends Association
- Lander Masters Special Olympics
- Lander Nordic Ski Association
- Lander Pet Connection
- Lander Running Club
- Lander Swim Club
- Lander Valley Farmers Market
- Lander Womentum
- Museum of the American West
- Promoting Arts in Lander Schools
- Pushroot Community Garden
- The Nature Conservancy in Wyo
- Water for Wildlife Foundation
- Wind River Farm to Plate
- Wyoming Outdoor Council
- Wyoming Shakespeare Festival Company
- Wyoming Wildlife Federation
Typically, the Lander Community Foundation hosts the July 4th Lander Half Marathon, 5K, and 1-mile Mad Dash as the culminating event for Challenge for Charities. The race-day events provide a great beginning to Lander’s 4th of July celebration and raise additional funds for the Challenge for Charities. This year, the race was canceled due to concerns over COVID-19.
In addition to the Challenge for Charities, the Lander Community Foundation sponsors educational workshops for local nonprofits and offers a Competitive Grant Program for nonprofits to receive additional grant money for specific Lander projects.
For more information about the Lander Community Foundation, or to inquire about joining our board, please visit www.landercommunityfoundation.org and/or email us at [email protected] or call 307-438-9247.
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