YELLOWSTONE COMMUNITY FUND

Yellowstone Community Fund partners for Phase 2
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A Personal Message From Dr. Jim Halfpenny

Loss and damage of roads closed the north and northeast entrances to Yellowstone National Park. Without tourism, Gardiner, Cooke City and Silver businesses and employees suffered an economic disaster. Phase 1 of grant funding allowed individuals to through the summer but without summer savings and limited winter business our communities are expecting severe financial hardship this winter. YCF wants residents to remain in the area and reopen businesses in 2023. YCF needs additional funding for our grant program. Please view my video on the right and donate to Phase 2 now. Details about Phases 1 and 2 are below.
Jim Halfpenny, Administrator, Yellowstone Community Fund .

Yellowstone Community Fund Phase 1

The response from folks across the United States showed their love and caring for the citizens or the Upper Yellowstone Drainage and made it possible to get through the summer. Contributions were received 408 donors totaling about $146,566, including restricted donations of $12,576. Donations from through this website totaled $33,744 (23%) with the remainder coming through the mail and by hand delivery. From the general account, YCF gave out about 185 grants totaling $132,075. Many have helped. Please click on the Supporters section at the top of the page to see our thank you list.

Yellowstone Community Fund Phase 2

YCF is entering Phase 2 with great hopes for the opportunity to make a substantial difference in the lives of our communities by retaining as many individuals and businesses as possible through assistance with their financial burdens. The winter will be a long-term economic challenge. Our efforts will be greatly aided through our new partnership with the Greater Gallatin United Way (GGUW) and Park County Community Foundation (PCCF). Fund raising efforts by musicians and other entertainers provided an influx of new funds through our partners. Additionally YCF is continuing to solicit donations.

Going forward YCF will distribute grants to individuals and small businesses of the Upper Yellowstone Drainage. YCF will help with monthly expenses but not claimed losses. YCF will continue their help through June 30, 2023.

To donate or request funding go to the top of this page.

FROM THE NEWS

Yellowstone Gateway Town Is Cut Off From Its Top Tourist Attraction

Residents of Gardiner, Mont., brace for struggle after a flood destroyed sections of the park's main highway entrance from the north.

Washington Post
July 7, 2022

With Yellowstone closed, gateway towns face a fight for survival

Business owners in tourist towns fear the closure could be a death sentence

Washington Post
June 18, 2022

Yellowstone National Park Service
UPDATE: June 14, 2022

Northern portion of Yellowstone National Park likely to remain closed for a substantial length of time due to severely damaged, impacted infrastructure

Gardiner assesses damages after record flooding

Bozeman Daily Chronicle: June 13, 2022

After unprecedented flooding on Monday, the town of Gardiner is cut off.

The town of nearly 900 and the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park are isolated after flooding from the Gardner and Yellowstone Rivers damaged and closed roadways north and south of town.

'The park is our livelihood': Gardiner faces loss of tourism industry

Bozeman Daily Chronicle
June 19, 2022

... A 5 mile stretch of road that connects Mammoth to Gardiner was extensively damaged that day by historic flooding from the Gardner and Yellowstone rivers, leading the park to evacuate visitors and temporarily closed all five entrances.

As the floodwaters receded throughout the week, the park decided that the two northern entrances will be closed for at least the summer.

Gardiner, Montana, before the June 2022 floods

YOUR DONATION

Your donation will help local Gardiner, Silver Gate and Cooke City, MT residents rebuild their lives and businesses. Thank you for helping us stay in the community during this time of crisis!

DONATE NOW

SOME THANK YOUS
The YCF Allocation Committee (Linda and Reggie Carney, Jenny Golding, Lauren McGarvey and Erin Stahler) and I wish to thank the following groups, businesses, and individuals for their help and contributions. Ashea Mills, Big Sky Adventures and Tours (Andrea Saari and Denise Wade), Colter Pass, Cooke City, Silver Gate Community Council (Donna Roland), Cooke City Chamber of Commerce, Gardiner Chamber of Commerce (Terese Petcoff, Mike Singleton and employees), Gardiner Market (Rebecca Desmaree), Greater Gallatin United way (Danica Jamison, George Haddenhorst, Megan Castle, case workers and and other employees). Mount Republic Chapel of Peace (Don Taylor), Park County Community Fund (Gavin Clark and employees), Ponderosa Productions Co (Robby and Britany Hirst), True Ranch Services and Yellowstone Pop-Up OTO Ranch (Bridget Brussels and and employees), Wild West Raft Company (Patrick Sipp, Patrick Gefell, Northwest River Supply's Chris McAdams and employees) and Yellowstone Hot Springs (Erin Kennedy and employees).