Volunteers dismayed as thrift switches from volunteer-run model to paid staff; YCCF eliminates role held by founding manager
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
In late 2022, the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation announced exciting plans for a subsidized, volunteer-run thrift store to cut down on local waste and offer discount goods to support livability for Big Sky families, workforce and anyone else into thrifting. YCCF placed Emily Burke at the helm, who built a proud community of volunteers to staff the store.
In February, Burke learned that her position had been eliminated as part of a YCCF restructuring. She was offered a different role within the store’s new structure, but declined the job. During her leadership and still today, Burke has been outwardly proud of the Big Sky Thrift project.
“I absolutely loved it. The friendships that I made, the people that I met doing it, was just absolutely incredible,” Burke told EBS in a late-April phone call. “And I think there’s no way to replicate this. I think it was a truly incredible program that we had started, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
The thrift store transitioned to a paid-employee model, meaning volunteers were no longer able to support the store unless they took one of the two paid retail positions within a restructured business model, according to YCCF. None accepted the job.
“We are grateful to the volunteers and staff members who have helped build Big Sky Thrift into what it is today,” YCCF representatives told EBS via email.
According to YCCF, only about 50% of volunteer shifts were filled on an annual basis. The new model is supported by three full-time employees, with sporadic volunteer opportunities available for events like donation drives and distribution of unsold items to community partners.
Burke believes the store was “very well stocked” with volunteers to keep things running. Furthermore, she said the volunteer system was “so fun” and one of the best parts of Big Sky Thrift.
“I think by the three-and-a-half-year mark, we had built a very, very strong volunteer base,” Burke said. “And we were having between two and six people work every day—almost all day every day. I mean, during the holiday season this year, you couldn’t get a volunteer shift if you didn’t sign up at least a week in advance… I think we were pretty well set by this point.”
As for the new staffing model, Burke said it’s not necessarily better or worse—just different.
“Due to community demand and the growth of Big Sky Thrift, the decision was made to move to a fully paid staffing model starting last month,” YCCF representatives stated in an email to EBS. “All staff members were offered positions within the new model, and additional employees from the community are joining YCCF’s team.”
The email explained that the shift in operations would allow for additional hours and days of operation, expanded community partnerships with other nonprofits, and the creation of a community service hub. While YCCF will continue to subsidize Big Sky Thrift’s operations, the change intends to enable greater self-sufficiency and ensure “a large portion of revenue” is directed toward grants, scholarships and community impact.
YCCF hired a retail store manager, Ashley Nye, and will hire a part-time retail associate later in the summer. “We encourage the community to come by the store this shoulder season to meet our growing team,” representatives stated.
In three years, Big Sky Thrift “quickly became a vital community resource,” according to YCCF representatives, due to its low-cost retail and its grant program, recently named “Gift from the Thrift,” which converted store revenue into YCCF grants to local nonprofits, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars to organizations such as Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization (SNO), the Arts Council of Big Sky, Eagle Mount, local schools and Big Sky RUFF’s animal shelter project.
Award distributions were always voted on by store volunteers.
“It enhances the volunteer experience,” former volunteer Melissa McKeithen said in a December 2025 interview with EBS, as Big Sky Thrift announced $139,000 in grants for 2026. “… To be able to turn around and [distribute] all the profit, you’re kind of doubling the community impact. It’s super rewarding for a volunteer to be involved on both sides of that.”
The grant program isn’t going anywhere. YCCF will continue to invest 20% of store revenue in the community—in the past, the grant amount has been based on the revenue remaining after two-thirds of the store’s operating cost were covered by sales, with the remaining one-third of costs being covered by YCCF subsidy, according to YCCF.
Burke has taken time to travel and is considering whether she’ll stay in Big Sky. She’s proud that during her three-and-a-half years opening and leading Big Sky Thrift, she helped divert thousands of items from landfills, while generating nearly $500,000 in grants for the Big Sky community and issuing emergency vouchers to people in need of blankets, clothing and other necessary items.
“We had over 160 different people volunteer, and make connections and friendships in our town… We have tangible things that we can talk about we did, but I think the reach goes far beyond anything that we can quantify,” Burke said.
Volunteers back Burke, express disappointment
EBS contacted two volunteers from the store to hear their perspectives on the change. Sherri Fast recalled learning of the store’s restructuring. She was notified in an email, which explained to volunteers the current store model posed legal liabilities in accordance with federal labor standards.
In email correspondence with Explore Big Sky, YCCF representatives declined to comment on how labor laws factored into the decision.
Suddenly, Fast felt underappreciated as a volunteer. She felt the foundation’s notification email was not a “sincere acknowledgement for all the volunteers who spent hours in helping [Big Sky Thrift] become the success it is today.”
She recalled helping someone who was wet and cold after getting their work truck stuck in a ditch. Burke, Fast and other volunteers gave him a warm outfit and sent him out the door, no charge.
“I miss my hours of volunteering and socializing with fellow volunteers and customers, and just the sense of being a part of a team that was making a difference in the quality of life for others in our Big Sky community,” Fast wrote.
She emphasized that the store’s new staff is very nice; her problem is not with those continuing the good work.
Fellow volunteer Patti Brosseau lamented the changes, including the short notice of just a few days given to volunteers. She found it “disappointing and frustrating” and felt it could have been handled differently.
“Volunteering was a social gathering. I met and became friends with other volunteers and customers in the community. It was rewarding and I will miss our close-knit group,” Brosseau, who volunteered twice a week for a three-hour shifts, wrote in an email to EBS.
She added, “Working with Emily and her positive energy was great. She welcomed customers with a smile. Emily made the thrift store what it is today.”
Brosseau noted her concern that the new model will negatively impact the store’s grant fund. Time will tell.
“The final grant amount for 2026 will not be known until year-end sales are finalized,” YCCF representatives stated. “However, with expanded operational hours, we anticipate that 2026 will be the strongest sales year the store has experienced.”
Under new structure, the store will now be open six days a week. New community partnerships will include a new program to donate clothing to the Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center’s emergency room, for patients unable to leave in their original garments, and donations of clothing and books to regional shelters and libraries.
In addition to Big Sky Thrift’s retail operations, YCCF plans to expand the facility into a community resource hub. Plans for the hub will be announced later this year.
