(Driggs, ID – December 17, 2012) – Many people in Teton Valley, especially those connected to the nonprofit community, remember the day in 2006 when they learned that groups from the Idaho side of the stateline would no longer participate in Old Bill’s Fun Run in Jackson. For most of those groups, Old Bill’s had become the primary event through which they reached out to donors for annual gifts. That change was the catalyst for the creation of the Community Foundation of Teton Valley and its premier event – The Tin Cup Challenge.
With input from the nonprofit community, a handful of community leaders took it upon themselves to create the new organization. As an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, the new foundation’s signature celebration was modeled on Old Bill’s but with a distinctly different character. Most people would agree that this vision has provided the springboard for increased philanthropic giving in Teton Valley.
In the past six years, the Community Foundation of Teton Valley has raised more than $4.8 million for local nonprofits; distributed over $106,000 to nonprofits through its grants program; hosted three dozen-plus workshops and networking opportunities for nonprofits; initiated an innovative Youth Philanthropy program; and most recently, completed a Needs Assessment of human services in Teton Valley.
At its board meeting earlier this month, the Community Foundation recognized the significant contributions of Greg Young and Brooke Saindon, two of its founding board members; both will depart the board at the end of December after dedicating six years to the organization.
Since 2007, Young has served as the Community Foundation’s treasurer and committee chair for both Development and Finance committees. Saindon was CFTV’s secretary until January of this year, and served on the Marketing committee during her tenure.
Also effective January 1, 2013, Ken Dunn, who has served as Board Chair since the organization’s inception, will pass his gavel to Tim Watters. Other newly elected officers are John Finley, vice-chair; Cathy O’Connor, treasurer; and Jeanne Anderson, secretary.
“As this successful year winds down, it’s important to acknowledge what a legacy the original Community Foundation board has begun,” Watters said. “These folks stepped-up at a critical time and provided the impetus and dedication necessary to establish a viable organization that effectively facilitates philanthropic giving in our Valley. Our community as a whole has benefitted greatly from their leadership.”
Other founding board members include Grants committee chair Susie Work, who was confirmed to an optional third term (as was Dunn), and Tin Cup race director Dick Weinbrandt, whose term started six months later than the others and will be up for extension next summer.
Currently, the board is overseeing the hiring a new Executive Director. The foundation’s officers believe that process should be complete by the early part of next year.
“We’re definitely in a time of transition, but we are excited about where we’re headed,” Watters said. “We look forward to continuing our service to the community in 2013.”
