Inaugural awards dinner honors philanthropic, nonprofit impact in Montana
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News from Montana Nonprofit Association
MONTANA – For the first time ever, Montana Nonprofit Association and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Montana Chapter are joining forces to honor philanthropic and nonprofit impact in Montana. Together, they will showcase individuals, nonprofit organizations and businesses that embody the spirit of philanthropy and nonprofit leadership across the state at an awards dinner they have coined Montana’s Best.
Montana’s Best celebrates the significant role philanthropy and civic leadership play in Montana’s vibrancy and wellbeing. The Montana’s Best Awards Dinner, which coincides with MNA’s Annual Conference, will take place on Oct. 3rd at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Billings from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Thanks to the generous support of Montana Community Foundation, First Interstate Bank Foundation and AMB West Philanthropies, ten awardees will each receive a $1,000 cash contribution to donate to the organization they represent or so designate.
Awardees come from all corners of the state and include Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation, First Interstate Bank of Bozeman; Outstanding Fundraising Professional, Traci Weller; Outstanding Philanthropists, Greg and Eileen McDonald; Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser, Dona Hagen; Outstanding Youth Fundraiser, Isabelle Melton; Forward Montana Foundation for Nonprofit Leadership Development; Missoula Aging Services for demonstrating exceptional leadership on its Board of Directors; Montana Economic Developers Association for being an Influential Nonprofit Advocate on a public policy issue; Bridgercare for Nonprofit Innovation in unifying people around a cause; Beaverhead Development Corp. – Jaycee Park Renovation, for Effectiveness on a Small Budget; and a very special Legacy Award will be presented to Mary Peterson, formerly the executive director of Eagle Mount Bozeman, for being a leader that has made meaningful contributions to the nonprofit sector and philanthropic culture in Montana.
Sarah Calhoun, founder of the Red Ants Pants Music Festival, will give the keynote address at Montana’s Best. Sarah was named the 2012 National Women in Business Champion for the Small Business Administration, the 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year for the State of Montana, and in 2018 Calhoun was inducted into the Montana Business Hall of Fame. As an entrepreneur who understands the dynamic relationship between business, philanthropy and civic engagement, Sarah will speak to the intersection of nonprofit leadership and philanthropy as it relates to Montana’s vitality and aspirations.
Tickets, half tables, and tables for Montana’s Best are available at www.mtnonprofit.org/philanthropic-nonprofit-impact-awards or by calling Montana Nonprofit Association at 406-449-3717.
