BCF Legacy Supporters
Generational giving.
Tancy and I have called Billings home since 1987. During that time, we have established our lives here, raised our three boys here, and been blessed by so many of the wonderful opportunities this community has to offer – great schools, hospitals, colleges, theaters, and arts – Billings is a great place to live and raise a family!
For ten years, I had the pleasure of serving as a member of the Billings Community Foundation (BCF) Board of Directors, and I am proud of what has been accomplished over the life of this organization. In 2019, Tancy and I made a $300,000 matching challenge to the community because we have seen firsthand how communities thrive when local organizations support community efforts and embrace collaboration. We are thrilled the challenge was successfully met and for the added services and programs that will be made possible by purchasing the BCF “Home of Philanthropy.”
We are also pleased that the BCF Home of Philanthropy will include the “Mary John Spence Community Room” as a meeting space for nonprofit activity named after my Mother. Mary John Spence lived in Tyler, Texas, served on multiple community boards, and received the “Outstanding Philanthropist Award” from the East Texas Communities Foundation. In 2015, only months before she passed away at age 94, she sponsored the “Art of the Brick” Lego exhibit at The Tyler Museum of Art. She loved encouraging children’s interest in art and worked extensively to bring the opportunity to Tyler, TX, after hearing of its success in Billings, MT.
Mary John Spence provided a fantastic example of commitment to the community through a lifetime of service that we hope will inspire others. The Billings Community Foundation exemplifies her dedication to the support of philanthropic activities in our region.
We are delighted to have the opportunity to assist BCF in establishing a permanent home from which to serve the philanthropic needs of our community and strongly encourage others to join us in supporting this exciting step toward future growth!
Sweat Equity.
Jack is a 3rd generational Montanan, raised along the Missouri River in rural Northeastern Montana. He attended Nashua High School and, after graduating, went on to build a career on his family’s ranch.
Jack applies that knowledge and work ethic to the real estate industry in helping his clients buy or sell property, whether commercial, farm/ranch, recreational, or residential.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Jack is very community-minded, having served as a Governor appointee to the Montana Governors Energy Advisory Commission, & Montana Arts Council. He is currently a governor appointee to the Montana Economic Development Advisory Council. He has also served on several local, state, regional, and national boards. Jack is a member of the Montana Realtor’s Association, Billings Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors.
As a founding member of the Billings Community Foundation, Jack has and continues to provide support and guidance. As a board member with deep connections to the surrounding rural communities, Jack assures BCF remains a regional presence of giving in the greater Yellowstone Valley. Recently helped produce the 2022 annual report and continues as the chair of Yellowstone Valley Gives.
Giving Knowledge.
Obert Undem was a force for generosity in the Yellowstone Valley. A career guiding people in the community on thoughtful and carefully planned giving benefitted individuals and organizations who received generous gifts. As a board member, Obert guided the processes for sustained giving through the community foundation practices and guidelines that developed our robust giving programs. Obert left a personal legacy that continues to show the value of “playing the long game” through a matching endowment program gift that we provide annually to organizations focused on sustainability in funding their mission for the future.
