Lewis & Clark Foundation

The Lewis & Clark Foundation supports the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which is owned and operated by the US Forest Service. The Foundation raised the funds that built the Center in the 1990s, and has since funded remodeling of the building, the audio tours, parking lot improvements, purchase of view shed lands across the Missouri River, and has funded numerous programs, exhibits, and children's camps and programs. The Foundation raises funds through grants, contributions, fund raising events, L&C license plate fees, and through its Portage Cache store.

The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center Fund, Inc. was created in 1991 by several of Montana?s leading citizens in partnership with the US Forest Service, the federal agency entrusted with management of the Center. This non-profit organization was incorporated to provide the resources and leadership necessary to generate funds needed to build the original facility in the 1990s. By 1995, Fund, Inc. had successfully raised $6 million to build the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, with $3 million through a federal appropriation. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center opened to the public on May 5, 1998. Within a year, board members began exploring a long term role for the organization, and the name was changed to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Foundation. Since that time, the Foundation has assisted the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center with more than $7.3 million in contributions. In October 2010, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Foundation merged with the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Association to form one combined organization, now called the Lewis & Clark Foundation. The missions of both organizations had evolved with a great deal of overlap, and they found themselves partnering on more programs and projects. Additionally, there was some confusion among donors and members concerning the difference between the two organizations. The Lewis & Clark Foundation focuses on programs and projects that support the Center, in addition to owning and operating the Portage Cache Store, from which a portion of the revenue supports the Center. Mission: Inspiring financial support for the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The Foundation's vision is to support the Center through quality programs, exhibits and activities that enhance the visitor experience.