Donations bring Special Olympics Montana within $250,000 of goal
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News from Special Olympics Montana
MONTANA — Long-time premier sponsors of Special Olympics Montana stepped forward in a big way. First Interstate Bank announced it would donate $1 million to the SOMT Reveal the Champion in All of Us Endowment Campaign, and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation awarded $1.75 million. To amp up excitement and engagement from other community partners, $250,000 of the Foundation gift is earmarked as a challenge grant given by Kevin Washington to help SOMT reach its final goal of $10 million. Those interested in donating can have their gift matched up to $250,000. Thus far, the campaign has raised $9.75 million and is within $250,000 of making its $10 million goal.
“In partnership with the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation decided to step up and secure the future of an organization that we deeply care about by making a $1 million donation to the endowment,” said First Interstate President and CEO Kevin Riley. “As a premier sponsor of SOMT and the State Summer Games for many years, we’ve seen firsthand how the mission transforms the lives of the athletes, their families, and our employees.”
Through donation, volunteer, and sponsorship support, First Interstate and the Scott family have been proud advocates of SOMT for decades.
“This donation is a tribute to all our employees, to the Scott family, and in memory of Tom Scott who served as the endowment campaign’s honorary chairman before he passed away in 2020, and Randy Scott who served on the endowment leadership council until he passed away in 2019,” Riley said. “Tom and Randy recognized early on that when we lift up each other, everyone wins.”
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation Executive Director Mike Halligan said, “While we donated $1 million to the campaign some months ago, we decided to push the campaign closer to goal by partnering with First Interstate and adding $750,000 to our earlier contribution.”
This alignment in vision and purpose with First Interstate and SOMT has inspired The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation to offer continued support through the years.
“Our mission is to invest in people to improve the quality of their lives,” Halligan said. “Special Olympics Montana and First Interstate Bank share these same values. The collective sum of these parts ensures that SOMT’s core message of treating everyone with dignity and respect will be spread across Montana in perpetuity.”
Halligan emphasized that $250,000 of the current gift will be used as a Kevin Washington Challenge grant. “The purpose of the challenge grant is to encourage giving as we help SOMT sprint to the campaign’s finish line,” Halligan said. “We invite the general public to donate and double their investment with the match challenge before the campaign concludes June 30.”
Campaign Executive Director Bob Norbie said, “We take great pride in our partnership with First Interstate Bank and the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation. On behalf of more than 3,500 Special Olympics Montana athletes served annually, I want to express our deep gratitude for these incredibly generous gifts that will ensure a strong finish to our $10 million endowment campaign.”
Norbie applauds the efforts of both organizations, who always seem to be first in line when it comes to supporting SOMT. “These two Montana powerhouses have been key stewards and influencers of our mission for many decades,” Norbie said. “Their values align perfectly with Special Olympics Montana where we also put people first and enable athletes to be their best selves.”
Donations to the Reveal the Champion in All of Us Endowment Campaign will be held and protected in perpetuity, while earnings will help fuel sustainable, quality local and area programs, statewide operations, and organizational growth for years to come.
“In light of the 2007-09 Great Recession and coronavirus pandemic, building a robust endowment to see Special Olympics Montana through uncertain times is more critical than ever,” said Special Olympics Montana CEO, Rhonda McCarty.
If you would like to help Special Olympics Montana achieve its $10 million goal and get every dollar you donate up to $250,000 matched before the campaign ends June 30, please contact Bob Norbie, campaign executive director, at 406-899-2323 or bnorbie@somt.org. For more information about Special Olympics Montana visit www.somt.org.
