(Lander, WY) – In 2021, Lander non-profits together received $588,000 through the Lander Community Foundation’s annual community-wide fundraiser, Challenge for Charities (C4C). Over $1 Million of the total $4.8 million raised over 11 years came just in the last two years.
“I am so impressed and proud of this community. The generosity that poured through Lander this summer is incredible,” said Lander Community Foundation (LCF) Executive Director Mary Greene. “I am grateful to the Challengers for their philanthropic leadership and generous support building the highest Matching Pool in Challenge for Charities’ 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.
“I feel good about donating to Challenge for Charities because that money stays here locally,” says Edward Jones Financial Advisor Lonnie Bull, a 2020 and 2021 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 them to give a 57% match to the funds raised by the participating nonprofits. There were 43 participating nonprofits in 2021 and raised a record $417,000. The 2021 Challenger matching pool was $171,000, making a total of $588,000—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. This fundraiser works and programs thrive because of C4C,” Mary added.
2021 Challenge for Charities Challengers and Sponsors
This year, they had four Platinum Level Challengers who gave $20,000 or more to the Matching Pool. We want to recognize some of these individuals and businesses whose generous leadership helped us raise the highest amount for the matching pool in history—thank you!
Platinum Level Challengers ($20,000 or more)
- Edward Jones – Lonnie Bull
- An anonymous donor
- The Mortenson Family
- Fremont Therapy Group
Silver Level Challengers ($5,000-$9,999)
- Paula & George Hunker
- First Interstate Bank
- Jerry & Cassy Venters
- An anonymous donor
- Rick & Janie Muir
Bronze Level Challengers ($1,000-$4,999)—37 donors
Iron Level Challengers (up to $999)—62 donors
These are the 43 2021 Participating Nonprofits & Fiscally Sponsored Groups for Challenge for Charities:
- Academy of the Winds
- Almost Home Wyoming
- Apple Valley School
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fremont County
- Bighorn Restoration Group
- Central Wyoming Climbers’ Alliance
- Central Wyoming College Alpine Science Institute
- Child Development Services
- City of Lander New Parks Lands – NEW!
- Community Entry Services
- First Stop Help Center
- Fremont Counseling Services – NEW!
- Fremont County Pioneer Association
- Fremont County Search & Rescue
- Fremont Symphony Orchestra
- Good Samaritan Community Meal
- Help for Health Hospice
- Lander Art Center
- Lander Care and Share Food Bank
- Lander Children’s Museum
- Lander Christmas Baskets
- Lander Climate Action Network – NEW!
- Lander Community Concerts Assoc
- Lander Community Foundation
- Lander Cycling Club
- Lander Library Friends Association
- Lander Masters Special Olympics
- Lander Nordic Ski Association
- Lander Pet Connection/Lander Pet Rescue
- Lander Presents – NEW!
- Lander Spay & Neuter – NEW!
- Lander Swim Club
- Lander Valley Farmer’s Market
- Lander Womentum
- Museum of the American West
- Promoting Arts in Lander Schools
- Pushroot Community Garden
- The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming
- Water for Wildlife Foundation
- Wind River Farm to Plate
- Wyoming Outdoor Council
- Wyoming Shakespeare Festival Company
- Wyoming Wildlife Federation
“We’d like to thank the Museum of the American West and Maggie Appleby for the support and hosting at such a gorgeous venue for our ceremony last night. What a special museum we have right here!”
For more information about the Lander Community Foundation, or to inquire about joining their board, please visit www.landercommunityfoundation.org and/or email [email protected] or call 307-438-9247.
You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.