During the 2023 Change Your Pace Challenge, The Seeley Lake Community Foundation raised $95,050.81 for 16 local nonprofits, and had its best-ever match fund percentage.
The match fund stood at a record $37,795, which meant people’s individual donations were valued more than in years past.
“For every dollar somebody donated, they really gave $1.82,” said Claire Muller, the executive director of the Seeley Lake Community Foundation. “It’s really great to see the impact be that high.”
Nearly 60 organizations and people donated to the match fund. Muller pointed out the headlining sponsor Energy Partners during the challenge’s check-tearing event last Wednesday, July 12.
Energy Partners kicked off the challenge by doing discount propane fill ups, and donating the money to the match fund, Muller said. It raised $400 and Energy Partners General Manager DeWayne O’Brien said it’ll happen again next year.
“We love being a part of the community here and we love what you do,” O’Brien said. “We’re going to continue to be big supporters.”
Other donors in the room included Citizens Alliance Bank, Lake Country Builders, Kiewett and Republic Services. Match funds cover the first $5,000 of donations for each organization. Although the challenge is now over, Muller said some checks still come in, and she shared the first to come in after the deadline this year.
“This is one check for $15, and this person allocated out $3 to five of the participating organizations,” Muller said “It shows the powerfulness of this Change Your Pace Challenge.”
The Change your Pace Challenge has raised more than $630,000 since 2016, according to Muller. Muller recalled last year when another $15 donation broke the $500,000 overall mark.
“It’s a campaign for community-wide giving,” Muller said.
The donations finaled as follows: Alpine Artisans — $13,566.68, BBCTU — $3,174.60, Blackfoot Challenge — $7,258.28, Clearwater Resource Council — $4,187.15, Missoula Aging Services — 4,003.84, Parent Teacher Club at SLE — $1,258.09, Seeley Lake Community Foundation — $10,087.18, SLE Community Park — $1,910.22, Seeley Lake Historical Museum and Visitor Center — $4.833.54, Seeley Lake Rocks — $4,713.32, Sela Senci (Seeley Lake Senior Center) — $12,728.01, Sparrow’s Vine — $3,360, Sullivan Memorial Community Park — $948.99, Swan Valley Connections — $9,492.51, Upper Swan Valley Historical Society — $10,376.57, Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake - $2,286.62.
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