Challenge For Charities

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.

Advocates for Lander Students bridges the gap between families and the district, empowering parents and supporting staff to ensure every student in FCSD#1 is heard and supported.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Central Wyoming Climbers' Alliance is dedicated to making climbing a better experience for all. Each year we put on the International Climbers' Festival, offer free educational opportunities for Fremont county youth, maintain trails, improve infrastructure, and work with land managers to ensure the most sustainable practices are used.

The ASI Farm helps degree seeking students and community members gain the skills needed to grow their own produce. Additionally, it provides around 5,000 lbs. of produce that is distributed to the Lander community through local food markets and the food bank. Funds will help buy supplies, materials, and labor to repair our hoop house, which is a vital component our academic and community programs.

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.

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.

First Stop Help Center is the first place in Lander to come for rental assistance, utility assistance, and guidance to those in need.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Lander Climate Action Network (LCAN) is a grassroots nonpartisan group of Lander Citizens working to create a sustainable future for our local community. MISSION: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Lander through a commitment to environmental sustainability, community engagement, and economic viability. VISION: to bring Lander together through shared goals of carbon neutrality, climate change awareness, and community resilience.

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.

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.

We provide life saving and life sustaining primary medical care and wellness services to the low income uninsured population of Lander. Our volunteer providers and nurses provide high quality evidence based healthcare to members of our community who cannot afford insurance and are not eligible for any other programs.

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.

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.

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.

Lander Nordic Ski Association makes winter FUN! Thanks to the LNSA groomed trails on the golf course and at Beaver Creek, you can get outside, enjoy fresh air and sunshine, get exercise, and enjoy being active through the long winter months. Funds raised through will help LNSA pay for fuel for machines; repair and replacement of equipment; and other operational expenses.

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.

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!

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!

Lander Pipe Band formed in 2001. Our mission is to provide quality pipe and 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 34 people ages 7–65! 70% of the members are youth. Your donations will be used to purchase instruments and uniforms for band members.

Lander Presents is an initiative to bring live music, film, and events to audiences in the foothills of the Wind River Range year-round.

Lander Search and Rescue is an all volunteer team of highly skilled local citizens. We offer year round 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.

Lander Senior Citizens Center serves Lander seniors with nutritious meals at the Center and home delivered. We also provide public transportation for Lander. We need your help with the rising food costs and gas prices. We offer many other services: Tai Chi, Yoga, exercise programs, and line dancing. Programs to keep seniors active, healthy and in their home.

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.

Lander Swim Club is a not-for-profit organization empowering athletes of all ages to grow and achieve their personal best through excellence in swimming. The Lander Swim Club program is designed to enable swimmers to grow from minimal swimming ability into competitive swimming ability at the local, state, regional, and national levels. The club is committed to fun, family, exercise, team spirit, and helping swimmers achieve their personal best.

The Lander Valley Farmers Market mission is to provide and promote locally produced food in a welcoming community gathering space. Since moving downtown 2 seasons ago, the LVFM has attracted over 30,700+ shoppers, hosted more than 60 local food producers and artisans, with vendors reporting $363,117.68 over the 2023 & 2024 season. This season, the market will be moving a few blocks up the road to the Smartt Insurance Agency parking lot on the corner of 5th and Main Street. The market season kicks off June 7, running every Saturday from 9-11:30am through October 11, 2025.

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. The 2025 donations will be used for programs, events, and scholarships.

For more than 30 years, The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming (TNC) 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 since 1993. At Red Canyon, we field test practical solutions to critical conservation problems that can be used across the state and beyond. On the Popo Agie, we are partnering with the city of Lander, the Popo Agie Conservation District, irrigators and others on the Healthy Rivers Initiative to protect and improve this precious resource for agriculture, recreation and wildlife.

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.

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.

The Sinks Canyon Conservancy is a local nonprofit contracted by Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Department to promote and help fund projects in and around Sinks Canyon State Parks. Our mission is to promote and support the scientific, educational and cultural programs and projects in and around Sinks Canyon.

Sinks Canyon Wild is a voice for Lander citizens who desire to protect Sinks Canyon’s wildlife, wild lands, and historic and cultural resources, while promoting low-impact dispersed recreation. SCW is an all-volunteer organization that needs your help, passion, financial support, and expertise to achieve our collective goal of ensuring that Sinks Canyon is protected and wisely managed.

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.

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.

The Treeline Project is a local nonprofit with a mission to provide Fremont County youth with free outdoor wellness trips and outdoor mentorships. We believe nature is vital to mental and physical well-being and everyone should have the opportunity to experience the therapeutic effects of the outdoors.

The Water for Wildlife Foundation is a Lander based wildlife and habitat conservation organization. Since 1975 we have been providing grants to improve wildlife water sources and habitat including the Middle Fork Popo Agie River restoration after the 2010 flood. Conservation education is an important part of our mission and we host the WFW Discovery Center on Main Street to educate and entertain the public free-of-charge. C4C funds raised go to student internships and Discover Center enhancements.

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.

Wind River Dojo is a nonprofit martial arts academy specializing in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We offer high quality, black belt level instruction to adults, teens, and kids starting at age 6. Our welcoming, family friendly environment and concurrent classes allow families to train alongside one another.

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.

Wyoming Pathways builds trails and makes communities more bikeable and walkable! 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.

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.