Donor Stories
Each of our donors has a unique and inspirational story tied to their giving. We're excited to share why they choose to give back to the Missoula community.
Each of our donors has a unique and inspirational story tied to their giving. We're excited to share why they choose to give back to the Missoula community.
George Jamieson
Field of Interest Endowment
My giving story is simple — this is for Louise.
My wife, Louise Jones, devoted her working life to young children and became known as a leader and champion of early childhood education in Montana. During her career, the children needed Louise and she recognized that she needed the wonder and possibility of the children.
Amy Tykeson &
John Teller
Circle of Good Donors
We are all in the community. We have a common responsibility to participate in the community and look after each other. When we do so together, we will leave things better than the way we found them. Missoula Community Foundation offers the opportunity to do just that.
Mike & Leslie Halligan
Family Endowment
From the time we first met, Leslie and I have shared a philanthropic ethic in which giving back to our community is part of our DNA.
The most meaningful gifts that we could give when we were younger, with very little discretionary income, was our time. The experiences we had volunteering for organizations that opened doors for children and adults…
We choose to give through the Community Foundation because they are directly connected to the grassroots of our community and have a better understanding of our real needs. They have the ability to tailor the solutions necessary to reflect community values and goals.
Beth & Frank Repplier
Scholarship Endowment
Giving back has always been a part of my family’s fabric. My father was a Presbyterian minister and our lives were enriched by the generosity of church members. Likewise, when my family had surplus to share, we did so with joy. Now, as adults, my husband Frank and I are continuing the tradition to help make other’s lives more comfortable.
Giving not only helps the recipient but enriches the very community that the recipient calls home.
When envisioning setting up an endowment fund in my sister’s name, it was important that the organization be well respected in the community, have professionalism in the staff and board and a strong track record of success. The Missoula Community Foundation checks all the boxes and more!
Dale Woolhiser & Nancy Thompson
Circle of Good Donors
Nancy and I know how lucky we have been in our lives and our giving is largely guided by empathy. While we recognize that much good fortune is earned, many are facing hardships and obstacles because they were simply dealt an unlucky hand.
I’m a sucker for a good cause.
This idea of stepping into another person’s shoes not only guides our philanthropy, it really is at the core of what community foundations do. Everyone is different and has their own concerns and causes, and community foundations help people support their own passions and achieve their philanthropic goals. Community foundations operate at the center of donor passions and community needs.
*Dale was a founding Board Member and past Board Chair of the Missoula Community Foundation and currently serves on the Board of the Montana Community Foundation.
George Jamieson
Field of Interest Endowment
My giving story is simple — this is for Louise.
My wife, Louise Jones, devoted her working life to young children and became known as a leader and champion of early childhood education in Montana. During her career, the children needed Louise and she recognized that she needed the wonder and possibility of the children.
Louise believed that every underserved child deserves and needs a chance and that the vagaries of birth should not dictate a child’s future. The fund that I established in her memory will support early childhood education in Missoula and all decisions regarding the future of the fund will be guided by Louise’s devotion to giving all young children a loving start.
Amy Tykeson &
John Teller
Circle of Good Donors
We are all in the community. We have a common responsibility to participate in the community and look after each other. When we do so together, we will leave things better than the way we found them. Missoula Community Foundation offers the opportunity to do just that.
Mike & Leslie Halligan
Family Endowment
From the time we first met, Leslie and I have shared a philanthropic ethic in which giving back to our community is part of our DNA.The most meaningful gifts that we could give when we were younger, with very little discretionary income, was our time. The experiences we had volunteering for organizations that opened doors for children and adults – and helped them realize their dreams – shaped our giving focus when we were able to contribute financially.
We look for organizations that focus on the “whole” child, their physical, cognitive, social-emotional and spiritual health. Our giving lifts up basic needs organizations such as food banks, homeless shelters and rescue missions – and we support scholarships for area students.
We choose to give through the Community Foundation because they are directly connected to the grassroots of our community and have a better understanding of our real needs. They have the ability to tailor the solutions necessary to reflect community values and goals.
Beth & Frank Repplier
Scholarship Endowment
Giving back has always been a part of my family’s fabric. My father was a Presbyterian minister and our lives were enriched by the generosity of church members. Likewise, when my family had surplus to share, we did so with joy. Now, as adults, my husband Frank and I are continuing the tradition to help make other’s lives more comfortable.
Giving not only helps the recipient but enriches the very community that the recipient calls home.
When envisioning setting up an endowment fund in my sister’s name, it was important that the organization be well respected in the community, have professionalism in the staff and board and a strong track record of success. The Missoula Community Foundation checks all the boxes and more!
Dale Woolhiser &
Nancy Thompson
Circle of Good Donors
Nancy and I know how lucky we have been in our lives and our giving is largely guided by empathy. While we recognize that much good fortune is earned, many are facing hardships and obstacles because they were simply dealt an unlucky hand.
I’m a sucker for a good cause.
This ethos began to take shape when I was a child and raised money for the March of Dimes. My mother had polio when she was a teenager and she struggled physically her entire adult life. But she didn’t let her disability define her. The March of Dimes had a fundraising campaign where you were given a cardboard card that had slots to hold individual dimes. I raided my piggy bank and put all my dimes on that board – then I went door-to-door raising dimes until my board was full. I was five or six years old.
This idea of stepping into another person’s shoes not only guides our philanthropy, it really is at the core of what community foundations do. Everyone is different and has their own concerns and causes, and community foundations help people support their own passions and achieve their philanthropic goals. Community foundations operate at the center of donor passions and community needs.
*Dale was a founding Board Member and past Board Chair of the Missoula Community Foundation and currently serves on the Board of the Montana Community Foundation