History of The Great Falls Sports Foundation

The Great Falls Sports Foundation, (originally called the Four Seasons Sports Foundation) was established for the purpose of attracting sporting events to the Four Seasons Arena that would have a positive economic impact on Great Falls and the surrounding area. In 1985, a 501(c) 3 corporation was formally created to accept tax-deductible support. The Foundation initially funded two major projects: 1) the high-quality portable basketball floor enabling the Arena to host basketball games and tournaments; and 2) advertising and promotional materials necessary to successfully pass the 1993 bond that funded significant improvements to the Fairgrounds including major renovation to the Four Seasons Arena and the construction of the attached Exhibition Hall. The primary goal of the Great Falls Sports Foundation is to assist in bringing major events to Great Falls and the surrounding area, providing significant economic impact to the City. Funds raised by the Great Falls Sports Foundation are used to ensure a long-term commitment to the major sports events held in Great Falls and to offer support to other potential events looking at our community as a destination. The Foundation’s fundraising efforts include an annual Great Falls Sports Foundation Mixer which provides the majority of funds for the Foundation. The Foundation has traditionally underwritten divisional and state high school basketball tournaments in the Four Seasons Arena just as similar organizations in other communities fund events for their hometowns. Without the assistance of Great Falls Sports Foundation, the Arena would not have been able to bid competitively and bring these tournaments to Great Falls. In recent years, the Foundation has reduced the funding for these tournaments, and has broadened their focus to attract new major sporting events to Great Falls. The Great Falls Sports Foundation has financially supported many youth hockey tournaments and skating competitions. Often the Foundation will assist in hosting sporting events in Great Falls and occasionally funds underwriting inaugural sporting activities. For example, Great Falls Sports Foundation has provided funds to the University of Providence Argos the first year basketball teams returned to the University. Other financial assistance provided by the Foundation includes the new Ice Skating Arena, Seibel Soccer Park, State Track Meets, State Girls Softball, Black Sox Baseball, Special Olympics, rodeos, and other new events. In 2016-2019, the Foundation dedicated the Great Falls Sports Foundation Mixer as a fundraiser for the Multi-Sports Complex to support much needed improvements to the Complex in order to make a significant impact on the Great Falls community. The Multi Sports Complex serves as a recreational facility for youth, high school, college, and adult softball programs and is a catalyst for bringing softball tournaments to town, having a significant economic impact for Great Falls. In the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, the Foundation partnered with Montana Rush Soccer/Seibel Soccer Park to make a significant impact for the Great Falls community. Montana Rush Soccer helps bring together the Great Falls community with many different options for soccer from youth recreation all the way to adult leagues. They also hold large tournaments that bring visitors to Great Falls. For the 2025 Mixer, the Foundation is partnering with the Great Falls Community Ice Foundation to raise funds for the Great Falls Ice Complex, which is used for figure skating, youth and adult hockey, public skating and other skating activities and programs. It is also the home facility for the Great Falls Americans Hockey Team and the University of Providence Hockey Program as well as large youth hockey tournaments, men’s league hockey tournaments and figure skating competitions, all bringing economic impact to Great Falls. Moving forward, the Great Falls Sports Foundation will continue to commit to raising funds and assist in attracting major events to Great Falls providing entertainment, amenities and economic impact to the community.

History of The Great Falls Sports Foundation

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