WHAT IS THE NATE CHUTE FOUNDATION? |
The Nate Chute Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to reducing suicide among young people in western Montana.
While the overall suicide rate in Montana remains at or near the highest in the nation, youth suicide in Flathead County has decreased over the past decade. It is impossible to know to what extent the activities and programs of NCF played in this decrease. However, we firmly believe that our focused efforts help individuals and families recognize the warning signs of suicide and know how to get help, and that our efforts have saved lives. If we have kept only one person from attempting or completing suicide, all our efforts are worthwhile. |
OUR HISTORY
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The Nate Chute Foundation was founded in 1999 following the suicide death of Nate Chute, an 18 year-old graduate of Whitefish High School. Nate was a well-known local snowboarder and snowboard instructor who worked at the Big Mountain Resort and Stumptown Snowboards. His plans were to attend Montana State University, when he unexpectedly took his life in August of 1999.
The idea for the foundation came from Nate’s friends, who wanted to help make sure a tragedy like this did not happen again. From 1999 through 2002, our primary focus was to provide financial assistance for suicide prevention efforts, such as: training for Whitefish School District teachers, local clergy and police officers; funding suicide prevention commercials on local television stations; funding for the Whitefish High School ROPES program; funding for Whitefish CARE (an organization that promotes a safe and healthy environment for youth and community); hosting a community meeting focused on suicide prevention; and depression screening for Whitefish High School students. In 2002, NCF began funding mental health counseling for Whitefish students without health insurance or who otherwise could not afford such counseling through the School Based Mental Health Program. While this program has continued, the need has dramatically decreased due to changed criteria for Medicaid and other factors. NCF began supporting the Student Assistance Program in graded K-12 in the Whitefish School District in 2011, at the request of school district administrators. In addition to funding facilitator stipends, we have financially supported and organized facilitator training each year since 2012 at locations across Flathead County. While these trainings are expensive, they are open to school personnel and other professionals from any area community, and are largely responsible for spreading the word about the value and success of the SAP. NCF is currently supporting SAP in schools in Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Bigfork, Lakeside and West Valley. We plan to offer training and support for SAP to schools in adjacent counties in the near future. |
HOW YOU
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NCF receives funding through grants and periodic fund raising events. However, over half of the funding for ongoing projects depends on private donations from people like you. We welcome your help! If you are interested in volunteering or making a tax deductible donation please contact us.
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