Photo: Bekka MongeauChallenge For Charities
A strong community works as one.
Challenge for Charities (C4C) shows what happens when we work as one.
During this critical time of fundraising for local nonprofits, LCF works with the community at large—businesses, foundations, and the city—to secure funding that will act as a match to donations from individuals. Since its inception in 2011, we have collectively raised and distributed nearly $7 million dollars to help local nonprofits help our community.
Challenge for Charities is vital to the majority of nonprofits in Lander. Money raised by the community during this period ensures programs continue to run and that doors stay open.
We believe that C4C embodies the spirit of Lander. It works because we work together, as one.
2026 Participating Organizations
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Academy of the Winds
Academy of the Winds recognizes that not all children learn the same way, so we offer a different pathway in education that is focused on individualized, hands-on experiences. AOW's curriculum is rigorous and is presented in a way that fosters problem solving, independence, and self motivation. We guide children to become the next generation of confident, capable leaders in our community.
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Almost Home Wyoming
Homelessness to Hope: Almost Home Wyoming is a completely voluntary nonprofit in Lander dedicated to finding safe and secure housing for those who are homeless in our community. “I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that. Then I realized, I am somebody.” (anonymous)
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Anam Cara Caregiving
Anam Cara means soul friend. Anam Cara Caregiving brings relationship and dignity to illness and end-of-life. Through personalized in-home care, education, and family caregiver support we bridge gaps in the medical system for Lander seniors. Donations help families access caregiving–which is not covered by insurance or Medicare–so loved-ones can stay safely at home and connected to our community.
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Apple Valley School
The mission of Apple Valley School is to provide nature-based, experiential education opportunities for children in the Lander community. We offer full-day programing year round in support of working families for children ages 1.5-7. Our programs support the healthy development of children's imagination, communication and social skills, and their self efficacy and confidence to explore the world.
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Bookmarked Literary Arts Festival
Bookmarked is a literary art show for writers and a story festival for readers. We host a three-day storytelling festival in the Fall and have partnered with the National Book Foundation to bring Science + Literature to Lander in the Spring. Bookmarked events are unique to Wyoming and stand out among similar events in the region (ie Montana Book Festival), and are free and open to the public. We are partnering with the Jackson Hole Writers Conference and WYOWriters to connect Wyoming readers with Wyoming writers and elevate Wyoming literay arts.
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The Bossert Collective
We believe that visibility breeds empathy and through public art, we can foster a more connected, visually beautiful town for the benefit of local residents and visitors alike. The Bossert Collective will use C4C funds to develop public art projects for the Lander community.
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Central Wyoming Amateur Radio Club- NEW!
Not only do we build the skill and infrastructure for emergency communications for Fremont County, we provide community and mentorship for those who want to apply their natural talents for STEM topics to help the people of the county and beyond.
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Central Wyoming Climbers’ Alliance
CWCA exists to support climbing and community in central Wyoming. Our mission is to protect, educate, and celebrate: protecting climbing areas through cooperative land-management partnerships; educating climbers in ethics, safety, and stewardship; and celebrating our community by creating opportunities for climbers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels to gather, learn, and connect.
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Central Wyoming College
CWC Provides access to higher education and community enrichment, such as classes, events, expeditions, and camps in the Lander area.
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Child Development Services of Fremont County
Child Development Services of Fremont County provides preschool, infant and toddler programming, and therapy for children of ALL abilities. The C4C donations assist CDS in offering educational and therapeutic services for families with children ages birth to 5 years old. Working with the Lander Community, CDS connects families with young children to local services, assistance, and resources with individualized attention and support.
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Community Entry Services, Inc.
Community Entry Services is a not profit organization established in 1975 to support people with disabilities to live and thrive within the community they choose. Funds obtained from the generous donors of C4C will be used to support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries access activities of choice throughout the community of Lander. Support will offer access to activities otherwise unavailable for some our the program participants who lack the resources to engage.
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First Friday Fun Night- NEW!
Description goes hereOnce a month, on the first Friday from 7-10 at the Wind River Community Church, First Friday Fun Night provides a safe, drug/alcohol free event for all middle school and high school aged youth. This event is free to all youth.
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First Stop Help Center
First Stop Help Center is the first place in Lander to come for rental assistance, utility assistance, and guidance to those in need.
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Fremont County 4-H Council
The Fremont County 4-H Council is composed of volunteer leaders throughout Fremont County who serve as the board of directors for our local 4-H program, working to strengthen and unify Fremont County’s 4-H clubs. They support volunteer development, provide county-wide educational opportunities for youth, coordinate recognition programs, advocate for the value of 4-H, and raise funds to sustain and expand youth development initiatives. By investing in the Fremont County 4-H Council, you help provide leadership training, hands-on learning experiences, and opportunities that empower young people to learn, lead, and succeed—ensuring a strong future for our community.
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Fremont County Pioneer Association
The Fremont County Pioneer Association asks your assistance in helping to preserve the history of Fremont County, Lander, and our surrounding area for our future generations. Your donation to the FCPA will help ensure that the legacy of our past is maintained through our beautiful local museums, significant historic artifacts, and educational adventures.
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Fremont Symphony Orchestra
Fremont Symphony Orchestra develops and promotes classical music for the people in Lander. We not only provide a high level orchestra for our members to perform in, but also bring local and nationally renowned soloists to perform with FSO. Our concerts bring an audience from not only within the county but from the entire state of Wyoming.
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Good Samaritan Community Meal
The Good Samaritan Community Meal serves a hot meal, curbside, to about 250 Lander folks every Friday night. Our mission is to ease the burden of food insecurity by providing meals, but also to show compassion from our many amazing volunteers to those in our community with hunger needs.
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Help for Health
Help for Health is a non-profit hospice that serves all of Fremont County. We provide quality hospice care in your home, or a skilled nursing facility. We also have a beautiful 8-bed Hospice home that provides 24-hour care, located in Riverton.
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The Houlihan Narratives - NEW!
We provide a stage for connection, for empathetic listening, and for sharing our lived experiences. We are a unique organization within Lander and Fremont County.
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Independence Day Fireworks
The Independence Day Fireworks Committee knows how important the traditions of the Lander 4th of July celebrations are to the community. We provide a professional fireworks display to the community of Lander on July 4th.
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Lander Art Center
The Lander Art Center, now with the incredible programming of Art Link, is growing Lander’s creative core! We bring exhibitions, classes, and inclusive art access to all. Your gift supports youth programs, adult education,clay studio, public events, and creative space upgrades. Be a part of our mission.
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Lander Art District- NEW!
Lander Art District encourages locals & tourists to participate in, identify with, and value the many art disciplines that are a staple of Lander culture. A designated area of 1 city block+ downtown, LAD is a hub for creativity that grows the creative economy. Our annual Street Fair provides arts immersion through demos, music, activities, Maker’s Market & more. We're committed to keeping Lander's creative identity strong.
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Lander Boxing Club
Lander Boxing Club benefits the community by providing a safe, inclusive space for youth who may not fit traditional sports. It offers accessible opportunities to build discipline, confidence, and healthy habits.
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Lander Care and Share Food Bank
30% of Fremont County residents face food insecurity, defined as uneven access to nutritious food. The Food Bank distributes to nearly 2,000 citizens each month. For the past 37 years we have met the food security challenges facing Fremont County and, with your help, we know we can continue to provide for our community into the future. Your contribution will be used to purchase food for community members in need.
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Lander Christmas Baskets
Lander Christmas Baskets is a small team of volunteers who assemble and distribute large baskets full of the traditional Christmas dinner ingredients, including a turkey and presents for the kids, to approximately 300 families every December on the Sunday before Christmas. The Lander Elks Club teams with our volunteers to buy the turkeys, purchase and wrap the gifts, and deliver the baskets to those who have requested them.
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Lander Climate Action Network
Lander Climate Action Network (LCAN) aims to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions through environmental sustainability, community engagement, and economic viability while strengthening Lander's resilience in the face of climate change. Walk & Roll to School, recycling at Lander Presents, and home energy tours are some of LCAN's most popular activities.
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Lander Community Foundation
We create a stronger Lander community that looks after each other and builds on common ground. We do this by promoting philanthropy through Challenge for Charities (C4C), encourage effective giving, and facilitate volunteerism. We support Lander's nonprofits and fiscally-sponsored organizations so they may provide services and programs for our community.
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Lander Cycling Club
Since 2008, LCC has been advocating for, building, and maintaining trails in Lander for multi-use recreation, all year long. Donating 1,500 volunteer hours annually, LCC works collectively to expand cycling opportunities for riders of all ages and abilities. Beginner or advanced, backyard to backcountry, we want to make it easier for you to get out and ride your bike.
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Lander Free Medical Clinic
The Lander Free Medical Clinic provides free healthcare services to low-income and uninsured Fremont County residents. In just three years, our volunteer providers have delivered life-saving and life-sustaining care to over 300 patients. Your donation helps us bring healthcare within reach for our neighbors in need.
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Lander Girls Softball League
LGSL aims to instill a sense of community, integrity, and athleticism through a supervised competitive softball program so that our youth may be stronger, healthier, and better prepared to grow as student athletes and community members.
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Lander Library Friends Association
The Lander Library Friends Association believes that the library of Lander, Wyoming, is fundamental to the well-being of our community. Our purpose is to advocate for the library and provide program and financial support to the library to strengthen its resources and services to the community.
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Lander Masters Special Olympics
Lander Masters Special Olympics provides the opportunity for adults with intellectual disabilities or acquired brain injuries in the Lander area to compete in olympic-type sports such as bowling, cycling, track and field, basketball, swimming, and snowshoeing. The athletes compete in local, area ,and state competitions. Funds raised through C4C will assist our organization in providing these opportunities to our athletes with little to no cost to the individual athlete.
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Lander Nordic Ski Association
LNSA makes winter FUN! We groom trails on the golf course and at Beaver Creek, allowing you to get outside, enjoy fresh air & sunshine, exercise, and be active through the long winter months. With the funds raised this year, LNSA will purchase grooming equipment to help the amazing groomers tackle the snow and turn it into the playground we love.
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Lander Old Timers Rodeo Association (LOTRA)
LOTRA has put on the iconic July 3 & 4 Pioneer Days Rodeo for the community using volunteers for 45 years. This rodeo, a Lander 131-year-old tradition, is the “Oldest Paid Rodeo in the World.” LOTRA supports our western heritage year-round by maintaining its 36,000 sq. ft. indoor arena to host equine events and support educational opportunities for local youth, families and equestrians. In 2025 the Lander Chamber recognized LOTRA as the “Anchor Award Winner” for surviving the challenges of time.
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Lander Performing Arts
Lander Performing Arts (formerly Lander Community Concert Assoc) enriches our community by bringing in diverse, professional performances and offering free outreach programs. Your donation helps keep ticket prices affordable, and directly supports youth arts education - including Missoula Children’s Theatre - now part of our programming in 2025! Join our mission to make the arts accessible & inspiring in rural WY!
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Lander Pet Connection
The Lander Pet Connection is dedicated to saving the lives of homeless Lander-area animals as well as being a support system for the human-animal bond in our community. We are helping people with pets and pets without people. The LPC is compassion and kindness in action and your generous donations drive our life-saving mission!
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Lander Pipe Band
Lander Pipe Band formed in 2001. Our mission is to provide quality pipe & drum band music to our community and to honor our region’s Veterans, Military, & 1st Responders. We provide free instruction, instruments, & uniforms to all members. Current membership is 48 people ages 7–65! 70% of the members are youth. Donations will be used to purchase instruments, supplies, & uniforms for band members.
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Lander Presents
Lander Presents is an initiative to bring live music, film, and events to audiences in the foothills of the Wind River Range year-round.
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Lander Search and Rescue Support Fund
Lander Search and Rescue Support Fund is an all volunteer team of highly skilled local citizens. We operate year round and provide backcountry search and rescue services to Lander’s residents and visitors. Your C4C donations will go toward equipment and the ongoing training needed to keep our volunteers operating safely and effectively.
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Lander Spay and Neuter
Lander Spay and Neuter believes that preventing unwanted litters is the most effective and humane way to reduce animal abandonment, suffering, and feral cat overpopulation in our community. We provide free Trap-Neuter-Return services for feral cats in Lander, as well as financial support to make spay and neuter surgeries affordable for owners of pet cats and dogs.
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Lander Swim Club
The Lander Swim Club empowers athletes to grow and achieve their personal best through excellence in swimming in a safe and supportive environment. The Lander Swim Club program is designed to enable swimmers to grow from minimal swimming ability into competitive swimming ability at all levels, and is committed to fun, family, exercise, team spirit, and helping swimmers achieve their personal best.
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Lander Valley Farmers Market
We are a volunteer-run, weekly farmers market that serves the Lander community from June to October. We feature produce, meat, eggs, dairy, flowers, baked goods, cottage foods, and crafts locally produced in Fremont County. Our Vision is that the Lander Valley has a robust and diverse local foods economy. Our Mission is to provide and promote locally produced food in a welcoming community gathering space.
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Lander Womentum
Lander Womentum focuses on developing women's leadership skills through monthly events, workshops, and mentoring relationships. C4C donations help us offer our programs to a new group of women each year and connect our alumnae.
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The Nature Conservancy of Wyoming
For more than 30 years, The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming has been protecting Wyoming's iconic landscapes and vital water resources to benefit wildlife and people. In Lander, TNC has managed Red Canyon Ranch as a working cattle ranch, nature preserve and an outdoor laboratory. At Red Canyon, we field test practical solutions to critical conservation problems that can be used across the state.
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PFLAG Lander
PFLAG Lander was founded in 2023 and works to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQIA2S+ people. We support families, educate allies, and advocate for equality. Monthly support group meetings are the 4th Monday of each month and are open to everyone 18+ in a comfortable atmosphere of openness where parents, families, friends, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals can share their experiences and learn how to support one another with love. We build connections and explore how to have difficult but important conversations by leading with love.
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Project Carpe Diem - NEW!
Project Carpe Diem is dedicated to helping youth "seize the day" in pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness.
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Pushroot Community Garden
Pushroot Community Garden is a place where local residents can learn and practice gardening, grow their own food, and donate to the broader community. Contributions received through Challenge for Charities have reduced the burden of maintenance and irrigation costs so that we can promote food sustainablity while keeping plot rentals affordable for all.
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Slow Food Wind River
Slow Food Wind River is a local non-profit commited to building a resilient local food econonmy that financially sustains farmers, ranchers, and food artisans to provide fresh, nutritious, locally grown foods to our community. Our Education and Outreach efforts include cooking classes and food-centered community events. Our flag-ship program, Meadowlark Market & Kitchen supports local food producers, with 80% of sales going back to our producer, and provides year-round access to fresh, healthy locally grown food. Your gift will support our continued efforts to make local food accessible in our community.
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Soldiers House Inc
The Soldier’s House serves veterans by managing PTSD, preventing suicide, projecting hope, and promoting resilience. We strive to mitigate veteran isolation, promote community, and support independence. We provide our services for free through the generosity and coordinated efforts of volunteers, donors, and partners. Our resources provide access to Wellness Outreach (mental health counseling, therapeutic bodywork, case management, Alcoholics Anonymous, and veteran-centric community activities), Food Security (Victory Garden, holiday meals, BBQs, and Wyoming Hunger Initiative services), and Housing Security (repair and retrofit construction to sustain veteran housing). All veterans and their loved ones are welcome.
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Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation
The Wind River Cultural Center Foundation mission focuses on fundraising, grant writing and fund management for the Fremont County Museums. The Foundation assists in the preservation of Wind River County history by providing long term sustainable financial support to Fremont County Museums. In this case, specifically supporting the Lander Pioneer Museum, which is pinnacle in promoting and sharing the stories of the rich blend of culture, events and citizens that impacted the history of our community.
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Wyoming Outdoor Council
The Wyoming Outdoor Council is a Lander-based nonpartisan conservation group that has been bringing people together to protect Wyoming’s public lands, wildlife, and clean air and water since 1967. Your gift will support local conservation efforts that benefit Lander citizens, businesses, and future generations right here in our backyard.
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Wyoming Pathways
In 2025, Wyoming Pathways will continue trail development and maintenance projects at Johnny Behind the Rocks for all users in partnership with the BLM. They will continue working with the city and county on active transportation projects. Your donation will help create a safer, more connected, fun, and accessible Lander.
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Wyoming Shakespeare Festival Company
WSFC offers this community the opportunity to perform in productions, learn in workshops, explore many areas in camps, and watch professional tours. Lander hosts 1 of the 30 Theatre companies in the state.
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Wyoming Wildlife Federation
WWF delivers leadership in conservation for wildlife, hunters, anglers, and conservationists through education, habitat projects, advocacy, and policy. We work to provide opportunities for all community members to learn about and experience Lander’s wildlife and habitats through events such as summer camps, the annual wild game cookoff, Wildlife on Tap, and volunteer habitat projects.
Jim Corbett, The Museum of the American West
“The Museum of the American West, which continues to evolve, is what it is today in large part because of the Lander Community Foundation.
The Museum of the American West has been an active participant in Challenge for Charities and its Open Grant Program since its infancy in November 2011. Our organization owes a lot to the Community Foundation for helping to keep our museum a viable entity allowing it to grow into an important, recognizable, and vital asset to our Lander Community. Resources made available to the museum aided measurably in keeping our doors open by helping our organization meet our monthly outlays for the common expenses such as utilities, upkeep, and insurance. The Museum of the American West, which continues to evolve, is what it is today in large part because of the Lander Community Foundation.”
Ami McAlpin, Lander Cycling Club
“Working with Challenge for Charities has helped us develop direct relationships with our donors,
increase our visibility in the community and connect us with other non-profits in Lander. Building community through fundraising has been an extremely valuable collaboration and gave us the stability we needed to hire an executive director with unrestricted, sustainable income.”
Ron Grogran, Lander Masters Special Olympics
“C4C has become one of our largest fundraisers of the year. It is a great example of community inclusion.
LCF has benefitted our organization, Lander Masters Special Olympics, greatly over the past several years by giving us the opportunity to participate in the Challenge for Charities (C4C) fundraiser. Our athletes are so grateful to LCF for the opportunity to be involved in such a great community event. LCF has many other opportunities to volunteer and help build a better community too. We look forward to participating in future events hosted by LCF. Thank you LCF for all you do!!”