Thanks to a $1 million gift received in 2022, the Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS) Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of a permanent fund for GFPS Arts that is intended to support student programming for performing and visual arts into perpetuity.
When initial conversations beg
an with the donor in 2022, they had expressed interest in doing something significant and impactful for students. Knowing that funding of this scale is rare, the Foundation staff suggested a renovation of the CMR Auditorium for the focus of their contribution. The donor quickly agreed to explore this further.
The primary focus of the redesign was to improve the acoustics, lighting, and stage area. Anticipating that the renovation budget may likely exceed the initial donation, the donor partnered with the Foundation to initiate a matching fundraising campaign to raise an additional $500,000 for the project. Thanks to a number of generous donors, this goal was achieved in 2025.
Also in 2025, the school district explored various funding sources for the abatement associated with the renovation project. Despite exhaustive efforts at both the national and regional level, the school district was unable to secure the funding needed to cover this cost, making the full-scale project cost prohibitive.
This reality required the Foundation to pivot and work closely with the initial donor and the school district to determine the best path forward. It was decided that the $500,000 raised in 2025 should be directed to support improvements in the auditorium albeit at a reduced scale. Based on feedback from CMR staff, these improvements will be focused on the audio system, stage lighting, and sound booth. This work is expected to be completed by the end of next school year.
Meanwhile, the use of the remaining $1 million donation involved further consideration. After much deliberation and discussion, it was determined that the best use for a contribution of this scale would be to ensure that fine arts education in Great Falls Public Schools can be enhanced for years to come.
“While the Foundation cannot provide core funding for staffing positions, we can provide some assurance that innovation in student learning can still be a reality despite tight budgets. We know that when we inspire and equip educators to take learning to the next level, our students and our community are the ultimate beneficiaries,” shares Stephanie Becker, Executive Director of GFPS Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for the donor’s willingness to come alongside us to think creatively, to brainstorm solutions, and to envision something grand for Great Falls Public Schools students and teachers.”
It is anticipated that $35,000 – $40,000 will be disbursed annually from this fund. While the function may vary from year to year, potential uses include partnerships with local arts organizations, residency opportunities, and support for student experiences. The first disbursement will be made available for use in the 2026-2027 school year. Further announcements related to its first year will be shared as details are finalized.
While various permanent funds exist to support the arts nationally and regionally, this type of funding is not typically made available solely for the use of a public school system. Based on initial research, it appears that this fund for the arts in the public-school arena is the first of its kind in the state and surrounding region.
“The Fund for GFPS Arts will offer students in our community unique, impactful, and innovative learning opportunities. The anonymous donor’s investment in this area is a testament to the strength and vibrancy of performing and visual arts in Great Falls Public Schools. We are grateful that this donor has entrusted the Foundation and Great Falls Public Schools to develop something that will benefit students in our community for generations to come,” says Becker.