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h/t Sam Lightner, Jr. for the photos
The Lander Community Foundation (LCF) is “a local philanthropic foundation whose mission is to create a stronger, healthier community in Lander.”
LCF sponsors the annual Challenge for Charities (C4C) to help fulfill its mission and provide support to nonprofits in Lander. C4C ends with the July 4th Lander Half Marathon, 5K and 1-mile Mad Dash that is made possible with the support of grants from the Lander Chamber of Commerce, Lander District Recreation Board, and Lander Kiwanis Club.
“We are thrilled that the Challenge for Charities has become such an integral element of our local nonprofits’ financial stability and future growth. Over the past nine years, the Challenge for Charities has funneled over $2.5 million straight into Lander nonprofits, with all funds being used locally. That’s huge for this community!,” said board member, RaJean Strube Fossen.
A record number of Platinum Level donors helped support Lander nonprofits this year along with an increase in individual, designated donations. “The generous support from these local businesses and individuals and the smaller amounts from many other community challengers allowed us to give a 57% match to the funds raised by the participating nonprofits. There were 44 participating nonprofits, ranging from small, one-person volunteer-run organizations, to large organizations such as NOLS and The Nature Conservancy, that raised a record-breaking $354,000, over double what was raised in 2016! The 2019 Challenger matching pool raised $149,000, for a total of nearly $500,000 returned back to the community to be used for local projects and programs,” reported board chair, Liz Lightner.
The list of local Community Challengers / Race Sponsors businesses and individuals helping Lander nonprofits can be found here. Their donations of nearly $500,000 were given to the 44 participating nonprofits at the 2019 Award Ceremony on August 20th to wrap-up this year’s C4C.
LCF also sponsors an educational workshop for local nonprofits and an open grant program. Open Grant applications will be available on the website in late Fall/early Winter. In 2019, $25,150 was awarded to 24 organizations.
Regarding the amount a specific nonprofit raised, please contact that participating nonprofit directly, as it is up to their discretion to disclose that information.
Big thanks to our 2019 C4C Award Ceremony emcees, Michael Kusiek and Gina Colovich, LCF board members, and our venue, generously provided by the Museum of the American West.
For more information about the Lander Community Foundation, or to inquire about joining our board, please visit www.landercommunityfoundation.org and/or contact Liz Lightner at [email protected], or 307-438-9247. Also, “Like” LCF on Facebook.
