“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead
A Note From our 2023 Executive Director
INTRODUCING BRAD RAY, OUR 2024 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS,
It has been my honor to serve as the Executive Director of Nate Chute Foundation, and I am excited to welcome Brad Ray as NCF’s new Executive Director chosen to lead NCF’s team and propel us to new heights. I am confident that under Brad’s skilled and authentic leadership, NCF will continue to innovate and transform the landscape of mental health and suicide prevention in our community. The theme of this year’s annual impact report is “Transformation,” and it truly encapsulates the journey we have undertaken together. In 2023, we implemented new and expanded programming rooted in the latest research on best practices for suicide prevention and mental health. This year, we have particularly focused on amplifying the youth voice and experience in mental health, ensuring that our programs are not only effective but also deeply relevant to those we serve. Looking ahead, I am filled with excitement about the future of this organization. The dedication and hard work of our staff, board, and supporters have laid a solid foundation upon which we will build even greater impact. I am deeply grateful for all that has been accomplished thus far and for the unwavering support we receive from each of you. Your belief in our mission fuels our determination for shaping a brighter future for mental health in our community. Thank you for being a part of this transformative journey. Best, 
KACY HOWARD
Outgoing Executive Director |
DEAR NCF FRIENDS,
One need only look at the pages of this report to see the impact NCF has had on the Flathead County under Kacy’s and the Board’s leadership. The small but mighty team has touched the lives of thousands throughout the community, becoming an invaluable resource to our residents. I’m honored and humbled to be following in Kacy’s footsteps. As we collectively reflect on the past 25 years since NCF was created, we will use its steady and stable foundation as a jumping point to move the organization forward, increasing services and expanding programs with laser focus. Together, our staff and board and, you, our stakeholders and friends, will someday realize our mission – to support, educate and empower our communities to promote mental wellness and reduce suicide. Always Forward, 
BRAD RAY
Executive Director |
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NCF StaffKACY HOWARD
Outgoing Executive Director BRAD RAY
2024 Executive Director NICCI SCHELLINGER DANIHER, MSW, IFP-MAS
Development Director JENNY CLOUTIER
Program Director ANNE MARIE BOWLUS
Education Manager CORRIE HOLLOWAY
Community Outreach Coordinator |
NCF Board of Directors
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SARA STRAKA
Board Chair |
DEVEN ROBINSON, NP-C
Board Vice Chair |
SUSAN SHERMAN
Board Secretary |
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DANELLE REISCH
Board Treasurer |
TERRY CHUTE
Founder |
JANE KOLLMEYER
Founder |
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LAUREN ELLINGSON
Director |
MIKE MCCRACKEN
Director |
JENNA GILLAND
Director |
DAN GAGEN
Director |
Transforming Our Community by the Thousands
Number of Students in 15 Flathead Valley schools
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Number of students connected to additional support after seeing an NCF presentation
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Number of community trainings
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Number of community members served
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Number of families receiving funding assistance to access mental health services
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Number of teachers and staff provided with additional training
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Number of impressions received from the Hosted Resource Table events
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Number of views on YouTube from 14 videos since 2020
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Newsletter Subscribers with a 50% open rate
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Number of page views from 6,566 unique visits to our website
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Number of Instagram followers with 1.4K Facebook followers
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Instagram 4.9K previous 180 days
Facebook 11.6K previous 180 days |
Transforming Curriculum: LEARN
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Transforming our community one business at a time.“The LEARN training NCF gave to our managers at Whitefish Mountain Resort guided one of those managers to get his employee down to the ER and then into Pathways during a mental crisis. The manager did all the right things, and we can’t thank you enough for providing us with the words to use, knowledge of questions to ask, and direction not to leave the person during the crisis.”
Kristi Hanchett WMR HR Director |
Transforming Schools, Businesses and the Public
SCHOOL & COMMUNITY TRAININGS
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The largest programmatic area at the Nate Chute Foundation is our training for schools and organizations. We are so grateful to be the go-to resource for suicide prevention education in the Flathead Valley.
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SCHOOL HEALTH CLASS TRAININGS
Bigfork High School Bigfork Middle School Cayuse Prairie Elementary Columbia Falls High School Columbia Falls Junior High Deer Park Elementary Evergreen Junior High Flathead High School Glacier High School Helena Flats Elementary Kalispell Middle School Smith Valley Elementary West Valley School Whitefish High School Whitefish Middle School STUDENT GROUP MENTORING
Columbia Falls Believe Blue Whitefish High School Student Outreach Club SCHOOL STAFF & EDUCATOR TRAINING
Bigfork School District Flathead High School Kalispell School District: 1st year teachers West Valley School Whitefish School District Whitefish High School Whitefish Middle School |
COMMUNITY OUTREACH TRAININGS
Bigfork Community Center Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation Boys and Girls Club of Glacier County Christ Episcopal Church of Kalispell CRYJ Flathead County Safety Committee Flathead Valley Nonprofit Staff FVCC Nursing Glacier Conservancy Glacier Institute Great Northern Cycle and Ski ImagineIF Libraries Logan Health Montana Conservation Corps MSU Nursing Students North Valley Music School Oxytocin Pursuit Collection Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center Daybreak Rotary Spotted Bear Ranger Station Whitefish Community Foundation Whitefish Mountain Resort Glacier Gateway Mall |
“We are so happy that you are supporting suicide prevention and are bringing this concern to the light in our community. It is important that people know children do hurt and feel alone, and the fact that you’re making that statement is really inspiring. We hope that this donation helps you continue to pursue making a difference in young people’s lives. We admire how you continue to be an advocate towards children and better the world around us.”
Cayuse Prairie School
Amy Piazzola, Principal/Superintendent
2023 FINANCIAL REPORT
INCOME
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EXPENSES
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Tranformative Dollars
NCF Fundraiser Events in 2023
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Inaugural Tamarack Open
On August 10-11th Tamarack Brewing Company in Lakeside hosted a golf tournament to benefit NCF. The event was a great success in both raising funds and promoting mental health and suicide prevention.
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“We are committed to supporting NCF, and we wanted to host an opportunity for the community to support their work as well, all while having a great time out on the course.” |
Andra Townsley, Tamarack Brewing Company Owner
School Support
Glacier High School Penny Fundraiser
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Cayuse Prairie Donation
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Katy Bitney & Elise Strobel at the DECA Club Fundraiser
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“The Nate Chute Foundation has drastically impacted the culture at our high school in terms of how we deal with stigmatization around mental health. Being vulnerable as a teenager is one of the most challenging things to do, but by having NCF as a resource and providing presentations, students feel more open with sharing how they’re feeling.”
- Katy Bitney, 2023 Glacier High School Senior "The Nate Chute Foundation has played a vital part in building our school community, helping to shape student support systems, and always listening to concerns and worries in the mental health sphere. Their engaging presentations and signs of suicide training help students on recognizing the signs of distress and how to seek help.” - Zoey Marzo, Whitefish High School |
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Bias Brewing Block Party
This event raised almost $3,700
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Great Fish Community Challenge
NCF won the 2023 Great Fish Award, raising a total of $219,688 from the Great Fish Community Challenge
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NCF Banked Slalom & Boardercross
The 2023 event raised $44,033
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Private Foundational Grants
Whitefish Community Foundation:
Kids Fund Kids Summit, support to Student Consortium Groups |
Otto Bremer Trust
Increase partnerships and programs to advance suicide prevention work |
Women Who Wine
Gala Event |
CORPORATE SPONSORS
THANK YOU DONORS WHO GAVE IN 2023!
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Aaron Cooper
Adam Strand & Kelly Wang AGL Foundation Al Koss & Beth Hodder Alex Evans Alexander Gray & Cameron Blake Alexis Hansen Alisa Bowron Allan & Valeri McGarvey Alyssa Adams Alyssa Harper Amalgamated Sope Company Amanda Minatra Amy & Eric May Amy Meyer Andre & Raelene Wilkie Andrew Brown & Janis Taylor Angelica Melo Angie Bera Angie Meehan Angora Ridge Foundation Anna Bengtson Anne Stricherz Annie McLaughlin & Chuck Overcast Aubrey & Leif Erickson Aubrey Howell Aylee & Mike Thierfelder Barb & Scott Brant Barbara & Scott Janni Barbara Boorman Barbara Morris Bart & Carole Erickson Bart Woods Ben & Katie Ward Benolken Family Beth & Ryan Gunlickson Bias Brewing Big Mountain Botanicals Big Mountain Management Group Big Sky IV Therapy Bill & Ann Jones Bill & Diane Lundgren Bill Gagen Bob & Caryl Bennett Bob & JoBeth Blair Bob & Kim Warren Bonni Quist Brad Good & Darcy King Brandon & Katie French Brant Beaudry Brenden Murphy Bret & Ruth Luedke Brett & Malissa Campbell Brett Holmquist Brian & Denise Manning Brian & Heidi Miller Brian Belleville Brooke Farrell Bruce & Kaye Haller Burket & Claire Kniveton Carl & Karen Florey Carol & Richard Atkinson Carol Murphy Carol Nagel Carrie Schaumburg Case Family Fund Cayuse Prairie School Chantel Schieffer Charlee Perret Charles Hill Charlie Webster & Deb Bond Cheryl Ross Chet Gilmore Chip & Kate Andrews Chris & Doug Zignego Chris & Jennifer Hyatt Chris & Sophie Albert Chris Fielding Chris Holdhusen Chris McLaughlin Chris Ruszczyk Christian Zwick Christine & Byron Velie Christine McKenney Christine Moss Christine Newton Christine Phillips Christine Seager Coaching Christopher Fox Chuck Blaney Clare Goble Claudine Johnson Clif & Heidi Youmans Coby & Dana Grove Colin Patterson Colin Smyth Connie Kelsay Corrie & Matt Holloway Cory & Sam Short Courtney Stone CrisMarie Campbell & Susan Clarke Curran Edland Curt & Tanya Oliveira Cynthia Woods Cyrus & Michelle Hadidi Dale & Gayle Bax Dan & Yovita Meigs Dan Adams Dan Bauer Dana Day Dana Shreeve Danelle Reisch Daniel & Betsy Kohnstamm Daniel & Bonnie Hodges Daniel Gagen Daniel Gerkin Daphne Hall & Steve Kelly Darin Westover David & Judy Williams David Fetveit David Hobbs David Ladd Lincoln Davidson Construction Debbie Maue Deirdre Grecco Denise & Shawn Schellinger Denise Hanson Denise Seehusen Desirae and Charlie Schilling Diane Gray Diane Marie Kane Diane Radcliffe Dick Gordon & Cheryl Watkins Don & Sue Lewis Don & Terri Montgomery Don Hickethier Don Jacques & Cindy Yarberry Donald Johnson Donna Kouns Donna Taylor & Randy Schwickert Doug & Carolyn Pitman Doug & Jane Horton Doug Rhodes & Marie Le Moyne Dow Powell & Becky Smith-Powell Dusty Hosek Ed & Betty Kuropat Ed & Susan Lieser Ed Doctor Edward Thomson & Carol Clifford Eileen Valazza Elizabeth Pitman Elizabeth Temple Emily Rice Eric & Anne Oehlerich Eric Moon Eric Pease Eric Schmidt & Deven Robinson Erin & Greg Vogel Erin & Noah Bodman Felicia Ennis Fifth Generation, Titos First Interstate Bank Frank Eigenbrood Gary & Jill Hyer Gaylen & Sue Moll George & Jane Shryock Gerald Askevold Gerrid Gamdrud Blackstar Brewery Gilbert & Joyce Lynch Ginny Boone Glacier Bank Glacier High School DECA Club |
Glen Magpiong
Gordon Johnson Goudge Family Graham McDonald Greg & Alanna Strong Gregory & Connie Kasper Gretchen Boyer Gretchen Hibbard Hank and Susan Ricklefs Hannah Plumb Harmon Crane & Rigging Haskill Creek Farms Heather & Jim Epperly Heaton Electric, Inc. Heidi & Andy Shors Heidi Houser Heidi Morris Hidden Moose Lodge Hildner Family Hooptie Evans Hyvonen and Bromberg Family IBEX Property Management Ila B. Dousman Fund, Inc. Immy Taylor Jack & Carolyn Troyer Jack Biddle Jacquelyn & Kyle Ryan James & Betty Thompson James Bennett James Fuller Jamie Murphy Jan & Terry Howard Jan Mayo Janice Bacino Janice Haller Jared & Jamie Jamison Jason Spring JD & Nicci Daniher Jeanne Tallman Jeanvieve Williamson Jedediah Thomas Jeff Swenson Jefferson Mills Jen Daily Jennie & Andrew Eckstrom Jennifer Golden Jennifer Parsons Jennifer Reardon Jeremy & Desi Meyers Jeri Moon Jerry & Rhona Meislik Jessica Ford Jessica Kara Jessie Opel Jim & Cindy Hajost Jim & Randy Mohn Jim Watson & Carol Bibler Joanie & Eric Bechtle Jodie Green Joe & Brooke Wagner Joe & Cindy Straka Joe & Jill Courtney Joe & Lizanne Reger Joe & LuAnn Basirico Joe and Kim Forthofer Joe Kola Joel & Shannon Rosenberg Joel Jarding John & Carol Santa John & Dana Lacey John & Hope Noyes John & Jennifer Flink John & Laura Peschel John & Laurie Opatz John & Lisa Kalbfleisch John & Marjorie Wilson John Hoagland Jon & Jesse Kuntz Jon & Misty Scurlock Jon Fetveit Joni Bunyea Joseph & Deanne Sramek Josh & Natalie Lenderman Josh Lozman & Kristen Sramek Joshua Witt Joyce Hrouda Judy Mundell Julie & Thomas Sebby Julie Brown Justin & Moira Linam Justin Callaway Justin Conor van Emmerik Justin Robertson Kacy & Trevor Howard Kaitlyn Weatherly Karin Connelly Karina Giraldo Kate Berry & Eric Kanter Kathy Arendt Katie Boyd Katie Chamberlain Katie Frutiger Katie Plett Katy & Joseph Krezowski Keith & Lindsey Gardner Keith & Virginia Edwards Keith Brown Kelli Torbeck Kellsey & Carl Perkins Kelly & Marc O'Brien Kendra Hope & Paul Sheehan Kenneth Ebbitt Kent & Kim Taylor Kent & Vicki Saxby Kevin & Lynette Murphy Kevin Pitt Kim & Michael Randall Kim & Nate Lindstrom Kim DeAnda Kim Frampton Kim Givler Kimberley Wilde Christensen Kimberly Orr Korey Kangas Kramer Family Kurt & Carol Larson Kyle & Jessica Tubbs Kyle Joos Kyna & Jesse Williams Lacy Richter Laine Lambarth Lance Fahrney Lanny & Sue Vaughn Laura Nuno Lauren & Brittan Ellingson Laurie Lapan Lazette & Koel Abell Lee Baker Leslie & Will Hunt Leslie Breaux Liam Lawrence Lin & Kathy Akey Linda Cornutt Lindsey Kadrmas Lisa Sears Liz Bernau Logan Health Whitefish Foundation Lori Churchill Lorraine Hutchinson Louise Porter-Hahn Lucia Fernandez-Palacios Lucia Lindell Lucy Smith Luther and Dorothy Campbell Lynden Dyck Mara Schradle Marcia Litchfield Margaret Stadler Marissa Keenan Mark & Connie Cowett Mark & Jackie Carll Mark Lassise Mark Mance & Katie Callahan Marlo & Zeffie Erslev Martin & Laurie Miller Mary Anne Miles Mary Huston & AJ Coulter Matt & Rachel Covey Matthew & Brandy Wetzler Matthew Dyck Matthew Waldenberg Maureen & Larry Cole Maureen Casey |
Maureen Hunt
Maureen Mcnulty Max Gargasz Megan McFadden Merna & Ron Terry Michael & Carol Sugarman Michael Diaco Michael Russell & Sally Cameron-Russell Michael Sawaya Michele Irelan Michele Kiesling Mike & Holley McCracken Mike & Sandy Koness Mike & Sydney Ereno Mike Eldred Mike Lesley Mike McCreary Mindful Designs, Inc. Missi Howe Mitchell Leiman Molly Swan Montana Conservation Corps Name Nan White Nancy Stone Nancy Tigue Nancy Velasco Nate & Jessica Dolan Nate & Kathryn Driggers Nathan Nishiguchi Natural Transformations Therapy Neil & Amelia McDaniel Foundation Neil & Rosemary Deering Nelson's ACE Hardware Nick Polumbus Nikki & Doug Reed Norma and Jim MacKenzie Pam Gerwe & Mike Jopek Pamela Driscoll Patrick Inverso Patrick Malone Paul Azvedo & Carolyn Sime Paul Chartrand Paul J & Janice L. McCann Advisors Paul Moffatt Perry & Karen Jacobson Pete & Allison Thomas Peter & Karen Saunders Priscilla Wolfram Rachel Hall Rachel Schmidt Rachel Winthrop Raiya McCutcheon Randy & Diane Helgath Raymond James Regan Peschel Renee Metcalf Richard Carter Richard Hader & Marcia Ross Richard Terrett Rick & Melissa Yates Rick & Trish Bartoskewitz Ripple Effect Rocks Rita Laitres Rita Madsen Rob & Kim Akey Robert Kinkel Robin Zeal Rocky Mountain Outfitter Roger & Susan Sherman Ron Gerson Ross & Coco Pickert Ross & Miranda Kulzer Roundup for Safety Roy & Debbie Teal Russ & Linda Hobbs Rusty & Linda Wells Ryan & Brooke Saxby Ryan & Erika Billiet Ryan Rusche Ryder & Naomi Delaloye Sally Salisbury Sam & Julie Tickle Sam Boardman & Jess Cerra Samantha Ish Samu Bagley Sandra Berry Sara Richardson Sara Straka Callihan Sarah & Dave Ericson Sarah Nuckolls Savannah Gentry Schellinger Construction Scott & Rachel Kollmeyer Scott Suiter Shane Bigelow Shane Moulder Shannon & Mike Bachman Sharon Miller Sharon Smith Shaun & Kris Wilcomb Shawn Watts & Bernadette Duperron Shay and Grace Smithwick-Hann Shelley Dolan Sherri Flaks Slash-It Distribution Stella & Willie Hobbs Stephanie & Tanner Kuhl Steve & Ginny Gist Steve & Jodi Howard Steve Goldberg & Kim Miller Steve Patyk Steven Atkinson Steven Bozek Stockman Bank Whitefish Stumptown Snowboards Stumptown Vacation Rentals Sue & Michael Basta Susan and Michael Sherman Susan Doyle Susan Garside Susan Johnson Susan Kemper Susan Schmidt Susanne Houston Taffy Miller Tamarack Dispensary Tanner Dahlman Tara & Jeff Brown Tara Heavner Terry & Joanne Dale Terry Knupp Terry Olcott - Cohea The Bookshelf The Lodge at Whitefish Lake The ZaneRay Group Thomas Leary Tilly Vearing Tim & Deidre Corson Tim & Hilary Shaw Tim Martin Tim Remley Tobin & Molly Hoppes Todd & Lannette Bloom Tom & Charlene Esch Tom & Cindy LaChance Tom & Jayne Bertelsen Tom & Terrie Nitopi Tom Beaumont Tom Yu Top Copy Travis & Lauren Walton Travis Steinke Tryg & Lynette Johnson Turnip Top Foundation Tyler McManus Val & Larry Parsons Velpeau & Connie Hawes Victoria Boyne Visceral Ink Vivienne & Peter Akey Wasabi Sushi Bar & Ginger Grill Wesley Hill Whisler Family Whitefish Community Foundation Whitefish Mountain Resort Will & Bonnie Smith William & Catherine Love William & Laurie O'Leary William Bond Withey's Health Foods Women Who Wine Flathead Zach & Michelle Henderson Zoe Gustafson |
In Loving Memory
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NCF would like to thank the friends and families of the individuals listed below whose lives were honored through their charitable contributions to the NCF. We offer special condolences to those whose loved one’s lost their lives by suicide.
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MISSY FOX
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TREVOR STROISCH
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SHAUN MURPHY
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FINN THILO TROMMER
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ELLIE HAWES
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2023 GIVE LIVELY TEAM
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Adam Rivers
Anna Bengston Brylee Pickering Dylan Parr Earl Reynolds Ella Luepke Emily Lewis Finn Miller Gavin Family Hillary Howell Jenny Cloutier |
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John Rygg
Johns Family Julie Tickle Kate Atha Kate Berry & Eric Kanter Mariah Nordberg Rachel Winthrop Sara Straka Callihan Shane Moulder Tyrel Bacon Tyrel Johnson |
