Our Foundation History
In 1996, a small group of community members consisting of Robert Duncan, Ron Marshall, Elta Bertolino Ayre, Donna Tandy, Lyle Wright and MarCo LaRowe saw the need to form an organization to benefit the future of Roberts. The result was the formation of the Roberts Community Foundation.
The vision created by this founding group has guided our board members over the years. The Roberts Community Foundation has built a significant endowment fund and provides a tool for those who believe in this community and school system and are inspired to provide a legacy for future Roberts citizens.
Over the years, the Foundation has been responsible for the facelift of the Roberts Town Park, a new sidewalk the length of First Street, adding lighting along Highway 212 and additional street lights within the community, installing Little Library boxes on First Street, funding improvements in the Roberts Fire Department, purchasing Christmas lighting in the community, developing a master plan for the future, beautification projects in the community which improve curb appeal, as well as purchasing and planting over 200 trees throughout the community. The Foundation hosts all-board meetings where commiunity civic boards meet with residents for updates on projects, needs and concerns. We have partnered with the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation to fund a Covid-19 Relief Fund and the Carbon County Area Ride and Transit.
The Foundation has funded many educational opportunities in the school and community. RCF has provided funding for scholarships for Roberts seniors and purchased educational and musical equipment and materials; assisted with adding safety features within the school, furnishing the new library, a new trophy case, scoreboards and a marquee sign at the school. In addition, we have supported a variety of youth organizations within the school and community while working diligently to obtain grants and funding that have provided over a quarter million dollars of improvements resulting in positive changes in the Roberts community.
The Foundation administered a CTEP grant through Carbon County and the Montana Department of Transportation to build "gateway monuments" along the highway on either end of town. RCF maintains the annual flowering plants and grasses that continue to make the monuments appealing. RCF has been a successful grant recipient for other projects, including sidewalks, street lights, etc., and are willing to assist with the board and administration in pursuing a variety of funding sources.
Many citizens have served on the RCF board throughout its history and deserve credit for keeping the spirit of ‘a place to come home to’ alive today. A list of members of the board is below. Thank you for your service!
RCF established the Roberts Activities Committee to promote the Festival on First and the Veterans’ Honor Memorial. The RAC hosts the "Rusty Rockets," for retirees. Conversation, cards, laughter and refreshments happen every third Tuesday at the Roberts Fire Hall. In addition RAC is organizing an All Class Reunion for the weekend before July 4, 2023. Dozens of community volunteers erect crosses, flags and dog tags along Highway 212 twice yearly, surrounding Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day.
We are blessed with a large endowment fund managed by the Montana Community Foundation that provides good-sized interest payments yearly. The principle of our endowment funds cannot be touched, but serves as income through annual interest payments in perpetuity for the community of Roberts. We rely on generous donors to fund the bulk of our community and school investments. We mainly appeal for funds through our newsletter and special fundraising appeals.
Mission
The Roberts Community Foundation’s mission is to safeguard and enhance the integrity of the Roberts area community and school system. Our collective purpose is to establish a strong fund development program that assists those services and programs considered important for the Roberts area now and in the future.
Roberts Community Foundation * History of Board Membership
