Abbreviation GNPF Type 501(c)(3) Foundation Location Kalispell, Montana | Formation 1999 Purpose Fundraising Region served Flathead Valley | |
The Glacier National Park Fund (established in 1999), is an organization whose main goal is to raise money to support the demands of the Glacier National Park, located in West Glacier, Montana. According to the National Park Service, the Glacier National Park Fund supports park projects, programs, and services in four areas: to preserve the park experience, to provide curriculum-based instruction, to research the park ecosystem, and to prepare for the 2010 Centennial year of the park. The Glacier National Park Fund provided funds for different studies. In July 2007, The Glacier National Park Fund funded a study involving human and bear aversion techniques. Also, in 2009, The Glacier National Park Fund granted $10,000 to enable biologists to learn more about the Bighorn Sheep that inhabit Glacier National Park, along the park's boundary with the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The Glacier National Park Fund has an official mascot named Billy Bowman.
History
According to the official Glacier National Park Fund website, The Glacier National Park Fund was established in 1999. Montana Governor Mark Racicot convened a meeting of 14 couples who were interested in organizing public philanthropic support for Glacier National Park. The Fund was established that same year. Louis F. Hill, grandson of former Great Northern Railroad President Louis Warren Hill, was elected as the Glacier National Park Fund’s first chairman.
In a move intended to bolster their support and work in behalf of Glacier National Park, the Glacier National Park Fund and the Glacier Association have announced their intentions to merge into the Glacier National Park Conservancy as of January 1, 2013.