Brett Storey, a foundation board member and local committee participant, and Charlie Manganiello, the Wyoming Community Foundation’s director of philanthropy, discussed the effort on August 18 on the Weekday Wake-up.

Storey said the committee brings together representatives from throughout the valley with the goal of preserving and supporting the area’s quality of life.

“We have board members from up and down the valley,” Storey said. “We’re really excited. We’re looking to try to do this long term so that we can keep the way of life, so to speak, here by helping all nonprofits.”

RELATED: RADIO INTERVIEW WITH BRETT STOREY – 

The Wyoming Community Foundation began in 1989 and provides charitable grants statewide. Manganiello said its work is designed to help Wyoming communities plan beyond immediate needs.

“A community foundation’s basic function is to grant dollars for charitable purposes,” Manganiello said. “We’re talking about nonprofits. We’re talking about even other examples, like a municipality wants to put up a park or do some beautification in town.”

He said many foundation funds are endowed, allowing them to grow and provide charitable support over time.

“We’re not talking about just immediate fixes,” Manganiello said. “We’re talking about the future 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years from now.”

The Star Valley committee’s first priority is raising funds that will be directed back to eligible organizations in the valley. Storey also said committee members hope to share their experience with nonprofit boards that need assistance with governance, fundraising or organizational development.

“Our number one goal is to have that happen,” Storey said of supporting local nonprofits. “But really, the biggest goal for most of us is to look at something like Charlie talked about, which is a long-term endowment.”

The foundation has pledged a $10,000 match for the first $10,000 raised locally, giving the new Star Valley Community Fund an initial incentive to grow.

The local committee expects to establish its own grant funding in 2027. In the meantime, nonprofits may apply through the Wyoming Community Foundation’s statewide grant process. Manganiello said the current application period closes September 15.

“We have two each year, one in the spring and one in the fall,” he said. “Just because the Star Valley Community Fund is just starting doesn’t mean there isn’t dollars to be granted out.”

Donations may be made through the Wyoming Community Foundation website by selecting the Star Valley Community Fund. Storey said residents, businesses and organizations interested in giving, learning more or receiving board-development assistance are encouraged to connect with the committee.