Red Lodge Area Community Foundation

By any measure 2023 was a remarkable year! The carbon county Area ride & transit completed its third year of providing essential rides to people without other options! The number of riders increased steadily to 5,320 rides for our no-fee public transportation service connecting all communities within carbon county, and to regular trips to billings, mt. We engaged volunteer drivers for the first time and continue to explore financial resources to ensure the long-term viability of this essential service. We look forward to the delivery of our third vehicle in 2024.

Flood recovery: it took longer than we originally hoped, but the damaged rooms from the 2022 flood were restored and the tenants were able to move back in. New flooring and trim was installed, and the walls, closets, and cabinets repaired. We were even able to remove the old boiler, creating a new tenant room.outdoor space: the concrete pathways in the front of the building were removed to increase the green space, to prepare for the installation of new sprinklers this spring, and to direct people away from the non-ada compliant entrance. Many new sculptures were added around the property in 2023.overhead lighting in the auditorium was updated to led's.the roosevelt center dove headfirst into providing programming centered around after-school opportunities for youth performing arts in 2023 with a total of 250 events with 10,072 total attendees.during seven all-ages open mic nights, the auditorium saw more than 100 performances from people aged 6-70. The events had a cumulative attendance of 368 and have developed a following of familiar faces as they continue into 2024.in april, the missoula children's theater team hosted auditions, rehearsals and a performance of aladdin at the roosevelt center that included a cast of 28 carbon county youth actors. The play was free to attend and participate in. 132 people enjoyed the show.seven aspiring young actors attended a free improvisation class, hosted by nova center for the performing arts of billings.a new partnership has been developed with the billings symphony, which hosted two high-caliber classical musical ensembles at the roosevelt center in 2023 for shows that were free to the public. Most recently in december, the galvin cello quartet performed to 158 people at the roosevelt center.the Red Lodge high school hosted its two nights of one act plays at the roosevelt center and saw 230 total attendees.the Red Lodge theater company put on three nights of howl-o'-scream in october and saw 161 total attendees.

The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation supports thriving nonprofits through a variety of grant making programs including fiscal sponsorship of $126,737 in awards for local efforts and the 20th annual fun run for charities raised $586,212 for 64 carbon county charities, having cumulatively raised $4.1m over 20 years of working together.

Create a Community that offers concrete support and opportunity for families, youth, and children to reach their potential as contributing members of society.the early childhood fund granted $13,515 to 15 children and their families to help pay for the cost of childcare. The youth enrichment fun provided $10,208 in funding assistance for 67 Area youth to participate in enrichment activities they could otherwise afford. Throughout 2023, the early childhood coalition held monthly meetings to: provide childcare center directors and interested Community members with updates on local and statewide childcare programming; gather data for the 2023 carbon county kids assessment and share results with zero to five Montana; share emerging trends in the local childcare environment; receive updates on youth enrichment and early childhood grants; share perspectives on the opening of the meadowlark children's center; set conditions and provide feedback for designing the 2024 carbon county employer & employee assessments.the Montana dphhs childcare innovation and infrastructure grant was invested to launch the meadowlark children's center in september 2023. The center served seven children in its first six months. The Foundation was one of 31 recipients across the state to create childcare slots and foster novel approaches to meet the need of families with infants and parents working evening, nights, and weekends. $463,360 was awarded to open this new childcare center in partnership with messiah lutheran church.5,550 hours were volunteered by future of Montana volunteer corps high school students. Completed the carbon county kids assessment reporting results to zero to five Montana. 500 lunches were provided during "lunch in the sun" at the city pool. Resilient youth provided mental wellness programming in roberts schools and 65 students in Red Lodge high school.the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation acts as a fiscal sponsor for 15 grass roots organizations by providing financial services. $126,737 was granted to the Community on behalf of the efforts of these grass roots organizations who provide Community benefit activities without the need to organize independently.