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12.27.09 | The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Donates Doubles Its Support for the National Folk Festival with $200,000 Challenge Grant to Mainstreet Uptown Butte
For immediate release
This week, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation announced an unprecedented $200,000 challenge grant in support of the National Folk Festival’s return to Butte next July 9th.10th, and 11th.
In 2008, the Foundation sponsored the Family Area of the Festival and in 2009, they funded the Main Stage with a $100,000 contribution. This year, in recognition of the growing economic and cultural opportunities presented by the Festival, the Foundation doubled its support to $200,000. “In 2009, the Festival experienced an exponential increase in visitor attendance over the 2008 event. This proved Butte’s ability to host a high-quality family event and attract attendees from all over,” said Mike Halligan, Executive Director of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. “The National Folk Festival provides a platform to showcase the culture and rich history of the people of Butte and Montana as a whole. We are honored to partner with Mainstreet Uptown Butte as a sponsor of the 2010 event.”
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation hopes its support will ensure the success of this year’s National Folk Festival, thus setting the stage for a self-sustaining annual event in Butte. In the same vein as Butte’s world famous St. Patrick’s Day, Irish An Ri Ra, and Evil Knievel festivals, an annual folk music event will bring much needed tourist dollars to Butte and all of Montana.
George Everett, Executive Director of Mainstreet Uptown Butte, expressed his excitement about the donation. “The challenge grant comes at a critical time and is an excellent means to inspire other individuals and businesses to support the 2010 Festival. We’re excited to get started and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation’s commitment to match sponsorships up to a total of $200,000 will give individual and business contributions twice the impact,” added Everett.
“The decision to offer this level of support was not an easy one in these turbulent economic times, but it was made easier by the demonstrated economic impact of the festival over the past two years,” said Rolin Erickson, Montana Resources President and Foundation Board of Directors Member. “We see it as an established benefit for the entire state that continues to expand each year,” Erickson said. According to one survey, the Festival had a statewide economic impact of more than $17 million in 2009.
“We hope that businesses throughout Montana will see the financial and cultural importance of supporting such a unique opportunity for citizens of the state,” said Tad Dale, Montana Resources Vice-President of Human Resources and member of the Foundation’s Grants Committee. “Beyond the clear positive impact on our economy, the festival is important as a continuation of Butte’s longstanding ethnic diversity. For generations, it has been a place of convergence for customs and traditions of its citizens’ eclectic backgrounds. It is Montana Resource’s pleasure to stand behind this summer’s event, as well as the establishment of a festival as a permanent fixture of our community.”
Sponsorships come with many benefits for businesses as well. These are described in detail on the festival website at http://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/2009/getinvolved_sponsor.php, or call 406-497-6464.
For more details about the charitable works of The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, visit www.dpwfoundation.org.
To learn more about the National Folk Festival and related activities an and around Butte next July 9th – 11th, please visit www.nationalfolkfestival.com.
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Contact Persons:
George Everett |
Mike Halligan |
Tad Dale |
