Philanthropy Day 2021

You're invited to celebrate National Philanthropy Day in Missoula County!

This year's awards will be dedicated to the change-makers in our community who have helped shaped Missoula and have generously contributed their time and resources to improving our community. Please join us as we present awards in six special categories,  hear remarks from Mayor Engen, and share in the goodwill and camaraderie of Missoula's philanthropic community! Each attendee will receive a special take-home goodie bag, and each nonprofit represented in attendance will be entered to win a $500 donation! 

Please come join us to recognize and honor our fellow Missoulians!

Outstanding Fundraising Professional

Kelsie Severson, EmpowerMT

Kelsie is an amazing fundraiser who uses her fundraising magic for good in every realm that she works in. As EmpowerMT's Associate Director of Growth and Development, Kelsie’s leadership ensures there is funding for critical programs like READI and Building Bridges trainings. Not only did Kelsie collaborate with the leadership of her organization to keep EmpowerMT strong during a global pandemic, she continues to find ways to share her expertise with the community at large. In her spare time, you can find Kelsie mentoring practicum students and AmeriCorps VISTA members at EmpowerMT, mentoring a local high school student in nonprofit development, serving on the board of the Public Policy Institute of the Rockies, and even volunteering with local and statewide politicians to improve fundraising and develop communication strategies.

Outstanding Foundation

Seeley Lake Community Foundation

Since arriving at the Seeley Lake Community Foundation in 2018, Claire has continually raised the bar and elevated the unique strengths and challenges of the Seeley Lake community. The Foundation serves as an important link for communications with many initiatives that are based in the city of Missoula, but serve the entire county. They have recently developed a fantastically informative website and managed impactful projects including community grants, student scholarships, volunteer opportunities and events listings. Their Change Your Pace Challenge campaign raised $80,000 in 2021, bringing the campaign's total earnings to over $450,000 since 2016.

Outstanding Philanthropist

Lauren Descamps

Lauren is known for her tremendous support of multiple nonprofits in the Missoula community. She is on the board of the Montana World Affairs Council, where her engagement enables the organization to thrive and accomplish many of their fundraising goals. In addition to her work with MWAC, she is a supporter of Five Valleys Land Trust, the Davidson Honors College, and more.

Outstanding Volunteer

Betsy Maier and Jen Lincoln, CASA of Missoula

-Betsy started with CASA in November of 2019 and has already advocated for seven children - three children in her first case and four in her current case. In addition to helping large families, Betsy started off with the extra challenge of a Mineral County case (in which hearings are held nearly an hour outside Missoula). In addition to her work at CASA, she serves on the board of the Missoula International School and volunteers with the therapeutic foster care program of Dan Fox Youth Homes.

-Jen is called the infinite optimist at CASA because she's so uplifting and positive to be around. Jen started volunteering with CASA of Missoula in 2017. She has advocated for eight abused and neglected children in five different cases over the last four years. Jen has a special talent of taking extremely challenging cases, which even our experienced CASA volunteers have needed to step away from, and turning them into success stories.

Outstanding Young Philanthropist

Eden Brasington

Eden is an incredible part of the Families First family as well as a helpful volunteer at the Missoula Food Bank. She volunteers at community events, helping at the library and creating fairy kits to give to kids throughout Missoula. She loves helping others. At only 11 years old, she has so much giving future ahead of her.

Outstanding Nonprofit Organization

Soft Landing Missoula

Soft Landing's work to support refugees and immigrants in Missoula exemplifies their outstanding commitment to community. Soft Landing gives our newest neighbors the support and opportunities they need to succeed in their new community and country. Their services include comprehensive services and classes; social and recreational support; tutoring; a community resource center that serves as a safe and welcoming gathering place offering services and support for refugees/immigrants of all ages; "Together We Eat," a weekly meal take-out service that provides job opportunities for refugees/immigrants (and great meals to the public); and a community outreach and education program that educates the public and the media about the realities of refugees' immigrants' lives and their contributions to the community as workers, students, volunteers and neighbors.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Flaherty Consulting, for making this year's celebration possible.

Please direct any questions to Dani at 406-253-3480 or dani@missoulanonprofitcenter.org.