West Yellowstone Foundation

	Contact Information
	West Yellowstone Foundation PO Box 255         West Yellowstone, MT 59758 Maryjean Vaessen Phone: (406) Box 255         West Yellowstone, MT 59758 Email: mvaessen@3riversdbs.net

LEARN ABOUT US

Mission
The mission of the West Yellowstone Foundation (WYF) is to strengthen the sense of community and enhance the economic vitality of the West Yellowstone/Hebgen Basin.

History
The Foundation was established in 1992 by Arne and Stephanie Siegel, with assistance from a number of local and regional supporters. Through the work of a board averaging 20 members and a part-time executive officer, WYF has grown steadily since its inception.

WYF provides funds for community needs in several ways: annual awards from distributions of endowment funds that have been set up for specific purposes, including scholarships; quarterly grants in response to requests for a variety of community programs in need of financial support, and development of new endowment or restricted funds for specific purposes. Since its inception, WYF has granted over $220,000 in this community.

Good Works

The Smoking Waters Summer Recreation Program has been operating in West Yellowstone for many years, providing much-needed childcare and educational recreation for children of parents working in this tourist community in the summer. Through contributions from individuals, the Foundation has funded scholarships to the program for children whose parents cannot afford the fee. Recently, WYF raised enough money to establish an endowment fund for this purpose, which will enable these scholarships to be available with certainty each and every summer.

In this remote mountain town, cross-country skiing is an important activity for many students, providing an outlet for their energies. An impressive number of students with limited financial means have been successful members of the local ski team, but find it difficult to pay expenses to attend out-of-town meets. The Foundation has granted monies for lodging for the ski team on several of these occasions.

HOW TO GIVE

Please contact Maryjean Vaessen, Executive Officer, if you are interested in exploring a contribution to the West Yellowstone Foundation.

HOW TO RECEIVE

In addition to the distributions for special endowments which WYF administers in the community, our Foundation grants approximately $17,500 annually. Grants typically range from $500 to $3000. Our grant focus areas are: arts and culture, basic human needs, education, economic development, natural resources & conservation, and historic preservation.
                                                                                               
Grants are considered quarterly; requests must be submitted to Maryjean Vaessen, Executive Officer, by the 10th of the month prior to the WYF board meetings (January, April, June and September). Grant application material is available from Maryjean Vaessen.

NEWS & EVENTS

Our Happening Dinner/Dance is the major fundraising event for WYF, along with our annual Golf Tournament.
                        
Here is our 2007 schedule:
 
Annual Happening Dinner/Dance, September 15
Contact Maryjean Vaessen, (406) 640-2030

Annual Golf Tournament, Big Sky Resort, September 9
Contact Bonnie Hansen, (406) 646-7775

Great Gathering social events throughout the year (Cooking Class, Birding Tour, Summer Garden Tour, Pheasant Pheast, BBQ & Rodeo, Cake Cruise and Clam Bake)
Contact Pam Sveinson, (406) 646-5177

Shakespeare in the Park, summer 2007 TBA
Contact Maryjean Vaessen, (406) 640-2030

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