Big Sky Thrift, YCCF give-back program supports WMPAC, food bank, BSCO, Cub Scouts
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
On Dec. 6, Big Sky Thrift reached three years of operation under the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation. Now, manager Emily Burke wonders, “What did we do before the thrift store?”
With three years of growing impact and growing revenue, Big Sky Thrift has been able to develop its give-back program for local nonprofits. After one year, the nonprofit second-hand store granted $137,400; after two years, it granted $150,000; and after its third year of revenue, the grant program—now called “Gift from the Thrift” and focused on awarding fewer, yet larger and more impactful grants—had its most competitive cycle yet, facing $642,000 in requests with $139,219 available.
“We really looked at maximum community benefit, and I really think the ones that we chose are transformative for our community,” Burke told EBS.
The Big Sky Community Food Bank received $3,300 for Food it Forward rescue and fresh produce assets, particularly a tower garden and germinator to allow the nonprofit to grow its own vegetables.
The Montana council of Scouting America received $6,000 for costs to start up a co-ed Big Sky Cub Scout Pack. A pack existed before COVID, and many families have requested it in the years since.
In the first of two larger grants, the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center received $50,030 for a new sound system made by d&b audiotechnik that will support a “crystal clear, world-class” audio experience and should be installed by summer 2026, according to WMPAC Executive Director John Zirkle. He sees the grant as transformational.
“As we continue to grow our presence in the region with extraordinary shows every season, it’s important to keep up with audience and artist needs for high quality sound,” Zirkle stated in an email to EBS. “… Sound is really the front line for an inspiring performing arts experience. Put simply, it ensures that voices are heard.”
The largest grant is $79,889 to the Big Sky Community Organization for a 2025 Ford Transit 15-passenger van. BSCO does not currently have a passenger van, and it will allow the nonprofit to reliably and safely transport kids for Camp Big Sky excursions, as well as participants in programs including Bike Big Sky needing one-way transport for trails like Mountain to Meadow. In rare cases, the van will also be used to fill occasional gaps in Big Sky School District transportation to bring students to BSCO’s after-school BASEcamp program.
“Transportation has been a big barrier for us since the opening of BASE and this gift from Big Sky Thrift is removing that barrier, opening the door to more adventures, learning and connection throughout our community,” stated Liv Grubaugh, BSCO director of development, in an email to EBS. She noted that BSCO will also contribute to the project, and it should be ready by spring 2026.
Doubling the community impact
Big Sky Thrift has granted a total of $477,450 since opening in December 2022, counting college scholarships to local high school students through Friends of Big Sky Education and nearly $50,000 in event sponsorships offered to other nonprofits.
This year’s “Gift from the Thrift” grant program budget was slightly smaller due to a change in Big Sky Thrift’s subsidy framework. The shop’s increased revenue means it requires less support from the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation than in years past.
“[We’re] doing substantially better,” Burke said. “Our annual sales are up over 55% to-date. And that’s due to being open more days, and also just word getting out about the Thrift around the state of Montana.”
Burke sees the thrift as critical for Big Sky’s local workforce, especially those arriving to Big Sky in need of basic home supplies—for example, a can opener would be $1 at Big Sky Thrift, versus $15 or more brand new from other local stores.
“I don’t know how people managed,” Burke said. “I think you see it making a huge difference—again, it’s a quality-of-life thing. To be able to come into a place and get really good quality stuff that’s affordable.”
The store has always been volunteer-run, with Burke being the only paid employee through her YCCF role—they’re currently hiring a second employee, though.
Melissa McKeithen was among the founding volunteers and served on the YCCF steering committee to create the shop. Like many of the volunteers, she’s very passionate about the gig.
Burke said its the only organization in Big Sky in which the volunteers vote directly on the distribution of funds. Volunteers also participate in the live interview process with grant applicants.
“It enhances the volunteer experience because you’re in here on a daily or weekly basis, seeing how much having the Thrift means to the community,” McKeithen said. “Just in terms of access to affordable goods and clothing. And then, 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.”
McKeithen thought that the surge of donated goods would eventually slow, but they didn’t. She’s been surprised by the overflowing donations and by the popularity of “thrifting” among locals, kids and tourists.
Burke gestured around the back-of-house unit for storing and sorting donations, with items that will soon find their second home. Just last year, the shop kept more than 58,000 items out of the landfill.
Her question is fair: what did people do before the thrift?
“Where did all this stuff go,” Burke wonders. “Look at this stuff.”
