Glacier Institute, a Kalispell, Montana-based private nonprofit foundation was selected as the state's only finalist in the Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good initiative. Judges from the organic personal care products company selected finalists from every state, but opened the competition up to voting after that. Ultimately, the six programs that received the most votes split a total $150,000 award.

The Glacier Institute will use the $20,000 it won through the initiative to install solar and wind energy technology at its Big Creek Outdoor Education Center. The funds have also been earmarked for alternative energy programs that can educate students about new sustainable concepts.

"We are thrilled," Joyce Baltz, director of the nonprofit, told the Missoulian. "The curriculum will show students that solar and wind is effective because it will power their laboratory classroom at Big Creek, which is off the power grid in the Flathead National Forest."

Other selected finalists include The Park Avenue Commons, The Brown Bag Ministry, Project Playground and Sustain-A-Raisers.

Organizations that are providing funds for multiple nonprofit programs might find it easier to manage their large-scale efforts with fundraising management programs that can account for funds as they are disbursed to recipients.