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"Janet has been the heart and soul of that organization," said Dan Pletscher, director of the University of Montana’s Wildlife Division. "There’s been lots of volunteers, contributors, filmmakers and financial contributions, but Janet was the face of the organization. She had boundless energy – always upbeat, with a smile on her face."

Baumgartner also says innovation is a means to achieving a strategic goal. That sounds like vision to me. Does your nonprofit have one? Here’s how you can tell. If board meetings consist of listening to reports about things that happened last month, your innovation trolley is off the track.

Jim Cote, a co-chair of the foundation, said the idea to get the IBM "Young Explorers" computers came about through his talks with Mary Olsen, who is in charge of IBM’s educational programs in the western U.S.

Seeking out ideas to fund, rather than existing projects, turns traditional notions of philanthropy on its head.

Computers 4 Kids and Rimrock GMC Cadillac joined forces to make those wishes come true Saturday afternoon for nearly 80 children and families.

In Montana, community foundations have over $80 million in assets under management and collectively grant more than $4 million each year to charitable organizations across the state.