For the fair

A board of 11 community stakeholders has been chosen to lead the newly formed Madison County Fairgrounds Improvement Foundation, Inc.

The non-profit foundation’s mission is “to preserve, promote and support the Madison County Fairgrounds through grants, donations fundraising and planned giving. Our aim is to continue the legacy of agriculture, recreation, education and community gatherings by providing funding for the Madison County Fair Grounds."

The MCFIF’s first meeting was held March 24. Moving forward, the foundation will meet the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. For now, the public meetings will take place at the county administration conference room in Virginia City, but there is potential to hold the meetings at the fairgrounds in the summer.

The formation of the foundation was approved by the Madison County Commission in December of 2020. Work is currently underway to file the foundation’s articles of incorporation with the secretary of state and a final draft of its bylaws is being completed.

In addition to the 11 board members, seven community members will also serve on an advisory board for the foundation.

Nondi Harrington, independent fundraising consultant for the foundation, said that the committee was very careful to make sure the board was comprised of members who represented the county in its entirety.

Harrington also stressed that the foundation board is autonomous – it is not run by Madison County or managed by the Madison County Fair Board.

Board of Directors

Rodney Braaten, President, Sheridan, MT

Jim Anderson, Vice President, Alder MT

Jody Sandru, Secretary, Twin Bridges MT

Blake McKitrick, Treasurer, McAllister, MT

Colten Clark Ennis/Jeffers, MT

Dan Doornbos, Alder, MT

Ellie Reedy, Twin Bridges and Pony, MT

Ken Walsh, Twin Bridges, MT

Nancy Matheson, Twin Bridges and Amarillo TX

Paula Christensen, Sheridan, MT

Trista Armstrong, Cardwell, MT

Advisory Board Members

Ann Gornick Sheridan, MT

Christy Todd, Fair Board Representative, Cameron, MT

Mark Hoyt, Silver Star, MT

Paul Marsh, Sheridan, MT

Ron Nye, County Commissioner Representative, Twin Bridges, MT

Terry Todd, Twin Bridges, MT

Todd Nelson, Silver Star, MT.