Yellowstone Club Community Foundation matches $100,000 challenge grant to Help Center Inc.
By Mario Carr EBS CONTRIBUTOR
In an effort to support locally available mental health services, the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation agreed in early February to match the next $100,000 raised for Bozeman nonprofit Help Center, Inc.
As of Feb. 14, HCI had collected at least $100,000 and YCCF matched the funds.
According to a Feb. 8 joint press release, YCCF participated in the “Answering the Call” campaign, launched by HCI in September 2023 to raise money needed to purchase a Mental Health Campus in Bozeman. In 2022, HCI served roughly 8,000 individuals in southwest Montana through its core five programs that include a 24/7 suicide intervention hotline, counseling for abuse survivors, onsite and in-home family visitation, free long- and short-term trauma services for families and individuals and a community service site at Sacks Thrift Store.
The campaign is raising money to allow HCI to acquire a 5.1-acre campus at 699 Farmhouse Lane in Bozeman. The property is currently owned by Western Montana Mental Health and consists of five buildings that add up to over 15,000 developed square feet. In addition to providing the space HCI needs, the Human Resource Development Council will manage 10 affordable housing units and Community Health Partners intends to rent a space on the campus to help expand locally available behavioral health clinics. HCI hopes that this space will match the quality of service that their clients receive.
“This match will help the campaign get closer to their goal of purchasing the Mental Health Campus to provide the HCI team and clients the space needed for their vital services,” the release stated.
As of Feb. 8, HCI had raised $3.8 million in gifts, pledges and grants during its current campaign, with a goal total of $4.5 million.
Since 2021, the YCCF has invested $1.7 million in behavioral health across the greater Big Sky region, according to the release. Ruthi Solari, YCCF director of community impact, wrote that the YCCF is proud to partner with HCI and help enhance and expand the ability to respond to the growing mental and behavioral health needs of the community.
“Knowing the next $100,000 will be matched helps the $5 supporter know their donation will be doubled immediately and is incredibly impactful,”Mandy St. Aubyn, HCI development and communications coordinator, stated in the release.
HCI is confident that its $4.5 million goal is in reach, and has faith that the community will continue to rally behind the project.
