Sunburst Foundation Beginnings

In 1994 four friends in Eureka decided there were things the town could use – like more social services that didn’t require driving to Libby or a professional concert series that didn’t require driving to Whitefish.

So the idea of the Sunburst Community Service Foundation was born. And it grew - starting with Families in Partnership, a mentoring program and Faith in Action. And it grew... bringing in Shakespeare in the Parks, Missoula Children’s Theater and concerts that always have an outreach component to the schools. And it continues to grow.

Today Sunburst is in eight locations in western Montana with over eighty-five people on staff providing mental health services, family support, community education and arts. In the Tobacco Valley, Sunburst continues to thrive with activities ranging from their annual Toast of the Town to live music weekly at the farmers market. It offers parent education, mental health services and GED/HiSET classes. It helps manage the Kootenai Rails-to-Trails and brings in numerous cultural events from Montana Repertory Theater to the New Old Time Chautauqua. The energy and enthusiasm that began this organization is very much in existence today with support from the community, businesses and volunteers. Sunburst makes this fantastic valley an even better place to live.