The Greater Ravalli Foundation forms to help area students

The Greater Ravalli Foundation, a new organization geared toward helping fund schools in the area, plans to start dispersing some of the $100,000 it has raised by Christmas.

By STACY HASLEM for the Ravalli Republic

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(This is a great example of Business/Education Partnerships that extend well beyond the classroom. Are there similar organizations like this in MT.? If not, what can we do to encourage their development?- Russ)

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"The main mission (of the foundation) is to assist school districts in Ravalli County," said Corrine Gantt, the executive vice president in charge of operations. "I think it’s going to be more of a needs-based foundation, but we would like to keep it as equitable as we can."

Gantt said the foundation was formed this summer as a response to the Hamilton levy failure in May, which resulted in the loss of several school programs. Stock Farm co-founders Jim Schueler and Charles Schwab, and club member Jim Cote, recognizing the needs of Ravalli County schools, came up with the idea for the foundation, and it became official on July 12, 2002.

The priorities of the Greater Ravalli Foundation are education, scholarships for all levels of ability, capital improvements and sustenance in the form of lunches, clothing, jackets and boots.

Gantt said the foundation started with a small amount of money but has received several donations, and currently has about $100,000.

She said she’s aware of some of the needs of Hamilton schools, but is trying to find out the needs of the other school districts in the county. The foundation’s goal is to help all of the schools in Ravalli County.

"I have people now who are involved in other school districts, and they bring their needs to me," Gantt said.

The foundation works strictly through the schools to help children who have limited opportunities in education. It also plans to provide help for the local Family Resource Center, which is committed to increasing the well-being of children and families.

"It’s pretty new but our intention is to talk to the resource centers and have them to help us identify their needs," Gantt said.

The scholarships that the foundation plans to provide are targeted toward children who show a lot of potential.

"They’re not necessarily straight-A students," said Gantt. "They’re students who participate in community services or have outstanding characters."

Gantt said she hopes to have early identification of such children by teachers and guidance counselors before seventh or eighth grade so the foundation can help the children in a mentoring process as well.

"We’re hoping we can build this into a real good situation for those kids," said Gantt.

Gantt said the foundation hasn’t yet decided exactly how the scholarships will be distributed.

Other people who are involved with the Greater Ravalli Foundation are Matt Guzik, John Talia, Wes Spiker, Eff Martin and Roland Cassati.

To learn more about how you can help, call Matt Guzik at 375-1887 or Jim Cote at 375-0005 or e-mail at [email protected]. Donations can be mailed to the Greater Ravalli Foundation at P.O. Box 1146, Hamilton, Mont., 59840.

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