[MCN] News Alert// Missoula Downtown Foundation Begins Disbursing Funds To Downtown Businesses Impacted By Coronavirus Pandemic

[Bram Moore]

May 6, 2020

Missoula Media



*MISSOULA DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION BEGINS DISBURSING FUNDS *

*TO DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC *





The Missoula Downtown Foundation (MDF) established a Downtown Missoula
Business Support Fund to assist businesses and organizations negatively
impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.

As the fundraising arm of the Downtown Missoula Partnership, the MDF has
the mission to support and promote the spirit and heritage of Missoula
through cultural, historical and *economic enhancement of Downtown Missoula*,
now and for future generations. In an effort to help rebuild the economy
and vibrancy of Downtown, the MDF has been fundraising and seeking support
from individuals, businesses not impacted by the crisis, and partner
organizations to raise and distribute a minimum of $100,000 in 2020.

Since the creation of the fund two weeks ago, the MDF has received numerous
applications for financial support and will be disbursing the first round
of checks to local businesses this week. The foundation and its board of
directors will continue to review applications and provide downtown
businesses with financial help every week until funds are depleted.

We can enjoy Missoula’s unique downtown in large part due to the presence
of small, locally-owned businesses and organizations. These businesses and
organizations are not immune to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted
in shuttered store fronts, job losses, and supply chain interruptions.

 “Supporting and maintaining a strong and vital small business presence in
downtown Missoula is how we keep our authenticity. Preserving our culture
and uniqueness in Missoula can only be done if small businesses thrive
downtown. The MDF is committed to doing what it can to ensure this
outcome," said Alan Newell, MDF board member

The MDF contributed $25,000 to the Support Fund, and pivoted its spring
fundraising campaign from street décor to this urgent issue. The Downtown
Business Improvement District contributed $10,000 from its business
development budget to the fund. As of May 6th, Clearwater Credit Union,
First Interstate Bank, First Interstate Bank, Stockman Bank, Missoula
Broadcasters Association, TrailWest Bank, and Montana Scotch Whisky Society
have each contributed to the fund, which as of today totals $83,000.



The Foundation started an online fundraising campaign last week to provide
an opportunity to individuals or entities to support Downtown businesses
and organizations through the Missoula Downtown Business Support Fund.

“In working with the groups that promote Downtown over the years, the thing
that has impressed me the most is the willingness of Downtown folks to
selflessly contribute their time and money for the betterment of Downtown
and the entire Missoula community.  The Downtown Business Support Fund is
another sterling example of that willingness.  Many businesses and
individuals have made extremely generous contributions to the fund to help
those negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.  As a Board member of
the MDF, I am proud and humbled to have a part in the Downtown Business
Support Fund,” said Dan Cederberg, MDF board member

Individuals and businesses interested in contributing the Downtown Missoula
Business Support Fund can send a check, payable to the Missoula Downtown
Foundation, to 218 East Main Street, Missoula, MT 59802. Donors can also
contribute through the Foundation’s GoFundMe Campaign
https://www.gofundme.com/f/downtown-missoula-business-support-fund. The MDF
is a qualified charitable organization, and all donations are deductible to
the full extent allowed by law.

 “Downtown Missoula has always been based on the businesses that operate
there.  Everything we love about our Downtown can be traced back to the
people who do business there.  Helping our Downtown businesses is helping
ourselves,” said Geoff Badenoch, MDF board member.

The MDF is receiving applications from affected businesses every day.
Applicants must have a City of Missoula Business License or an IRS
Determination Letter, operate in the Downtown Business Improvement
District, and/or service the community in Downtown Missoula. Downtown
businesses and organizations in need of support shall complete a simple
online application located at
https://www.missouladowntown.com/missoula-downtown-foundation/downtown-missoula-business-support-fund/

Applications will be reviewed and approved by the MDF staff and board
members, and disbursement of funds shall be in the form of one-time checks
distributed by the Downtown Missoula Partnership.

For more information, visit www.missouladowntown.com or contact the
Downtown Missoula Partnership office via phone (406-543-4238) or email (
info at missouladowntown.com).



*Bram Moore*

*Operations Coordinator*

Downtown Missoula Partnership

218 E Main | Missoula, MT

406.543.4238 | missouladowntown.com <http://www.missouladowntown.com/>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://bigskynet.org/pipermail/missoula-community-news_bigskynet.org/attachments/20200506/6da16024/attachment-0001.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: MDFStartsDisbursingFunds.docx
Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
Size: 132488 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://bigskynet.org/pipermail/missoula-community-news_bigskynet.org/attachments/20200506/6da16024/attachment-0001.docx>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: MDFStartsDisbursingFunds.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 339527 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://bigskynet.org/pipermail/missoula-community-news_bigskynet.org/attachments/20200506/6da16024/attachment-0001.pdf>