$30,000 Blue Impact SM Grant Fuels Growth of STOKE’s YouthProgram

TOWNSEND, MONTANA (August 3, 2026) — Science Technology Outdoors Knowledge
Entrepreneurship recently announced that it received a $30,000 Blue Impact grant from Blue
Cross and Blue Shield of Montana. The grant will help STOKE continue to offer unique after
school programs and activities and be able to expand into new opportunities.

“We are so grateful for the amazing gift of support from BCBSMT. This will help tremendously in
fulfilling STOKE’s mission of providing free programs to the youth we serve,” said Jim Domino,
STOKE’s President. “We will, with this support, now be able to expand our opportunities and
continue our commitment to the kids and their families into the foreseeable future”
BCBSMT’s Blue Impact grant initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to invest in and
collaborate with community organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs that
address the social and economic factors impacting health and wellness in our state. STOKE’s
commitment to underserved youth aligns with the vision of Blue Impact to improve health
outcomes in communities across Montana.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, both inside and outside the classroom,” said
Lisa Kelley, president of BCBSMT. “We’re honored to support STOKE’s mission to empower
Montana youth through innovative after-school programs that spark curiosity, build resilience,
and open doors to brighter futures.”

About STOKE
STOKE is a nonprofit afterschool program serving youth in grades 3–12 in Townsend and
Broadwater County, Montana. Founded in 2019, STOKE was built on a simple but powerful
belief: that rural Montana kids deserve the same access to enriching, inspiring, and
life-changing experiences as young people in larger communities. STOKE programming builds
consistent, safe, and inspiring environments where youth are presented with unique opportunities to help strengthen their mental health, develop life skills, and discover their full
potential.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a
Mutual Legal Reserve Company and Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association. BCBSMT is the largest and longest-standing statewide, customer-owned health
insurer and full-service health benefits administrator in Montana. BCBSMT has provided
high-quality health insurance plans and administrative services to Montanans for more than 85
years and is committed to ensuring its members — no matter where they are on the health
spectrum — achieve maximum health.

Contact:
Candice O’Hara
972-786-1305
Candice@stokemt.org

Amanda Douglas
505-463-8818
amanda_douglas@bcbsmt.com