Accept the challenge as a business, a community member or both! Challengers are a special group of corporations and individuals who give $1,000 or more to the Challenger Fund each year during the 9-week giving period of the Tin Cup Challenge. Gifts to the Challenger Fund are used to provide matching grants to participating nonprofits, host the Tin Cup Celebration and so much more. The Challenger Fund is the starting block against which both donors and nonprofits lean solidly on for this successful, modern fundraising model to work.
Challengers are community leaders who promote charitable giving and intrinsically value Teton Valley’s nonprofits. As such, these frontrunners generously donate to the Challenger Fund in part to offset the costs of orchestrating and processing nonprofit donations received during the giving period. Challenger funding preserves all direct donations to nonprofits – ensuring that local nonprofits receive every penny designated to them during the Tin Cup Challenge. Furthermore, the Challenger Fund supplies a matching grant for participating nonprofits. While the match percentage varies annually, matching grants are applied to the first $25,0000 in designated gifts raised during the giving period for every participating nonprofit. Additionally, as Challengers, these trail blazers go the extra mile and commit to covering the cost of the Tin Cup Celebration Day – a community-wide event that is fun, active and educational for the whole family.
Challengers then take generosity to the finish line by funding two cycles of Competitive Grants and a Youth Philanthropy program. These grant cycles allow for nonprofits to apply in the spring or fall for funding to help cover specific program or equipment costs above and beyond their operating budgets. Having a locally funded grant cycle provides vital support to help our nonprofits grow and address their changing needs year-round. The Youth Philanthropy program provides Teton High School students with a hands-on learning opportunity to explore the concept of philanthropy, as well as to learn more about the essential role played by nonprofits in Teton Valley. Students are tasked with a real-life grant distribution of their funds based on nonprofit applications.
Challengers are community team leaders whose collaboration has sustained and strengthened Teton Valley’s nonprofits over the long run. As we race towards our 10-year anniversary, it’s important to note that Tin Cup donations have raised $9.5 million dollars for Teton Valley nonprofits over the last nine years. These funds have been continually re-invested into our community through the niche functions and services provided by our local nonprofits; thus, serving the community at large in a fast, focused fashion. Through the continued, paced support of Tin Cup Challengers, Teton Valley nonprofits continue to grow and directly serve the community as our needs evolve.
As a Challenger, you’re taking the lead in showing support for our greater community. In an effort to recognize Challengers coming in ahead of the pack, the Community Foundation of Teton Valley makes every effort to acknowledge these personal and business donations as they are submitted. Challengers are not only appreciated in person, print and online over the course of the giving period, they are also renowned at a distinguished dinner in late August, through community support and deep community gratitude.
The generosity of Challengers inspires increased community giving and is the key to the Tin Cup Challenge’s success. As a Challenger, you help the Community Foundation of Teton Valley extend the lead for all nonprofits beyond a quick dash – giving them relay support throughout the year. This year, we’re aiming for a personal best to celebrate our 10th year of improving lives through the power of generosity. Accept the challenge and join the Challenger team to bring home the win for Teton Valley’s nonprofits during this year’s Tin Cup Challenge —www.tincupchallenge.org.
