How Ciara Wolfe is helping make Big Sky more livable

Ciara Wolfe has spent her entire career creating partnerships that cultivate community impact in and around Big Sky, Montana. After 20 years raising money and building coalitions to support the region’s parks, trails, recreation centers, and the much needed BASE community hub, she’s got a plum job as VP of philanthropy for the Yellowstone Club, based in Big Sky, where she’s been leading their Yellowstone Club Community Foundation (YCCF) since 2020. 

One key to Wolfe’s success is the relationships she has built while living in the region. Nearly every day, she participates in some community meeting or connects with locals, visitors, and homeowners on the ski slopes, local trail network, or river. When she’s not working, Ciara and her husband can often be found with their two blue heeler dogs, chasing after their two athletic and active children in their camper van. 

We asked Wolfe about how a strong community foundation can create lasting change, and why Big Sky is so special. 

Tell us about the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and its role “cultivating thriving communities in the greater Big Sky region.”

Since 2010, the YCCF has provided philanthropic leadership in the greater Big Sky region. The need is great—and so is the opportunity—because there is a great disparity of wealth here. With the generous support of Yellowstone Club members, we’ve invested over $36 million throughout the greater Big Sky community through grants, student scholarships, sponsorships, and programs for nonprofit organizations. We have also become the central hub for coordinating collaborative responses to the region’s most significant needs. 

Your job sounds amazing! 

I have spent 22 years in the nonprofit sector, and this is my first role with a foundation. My previous experience focused on scaling small nonprofits into key community development organizations serving specific place-based populations. Leading a community foundation has been the most rewarding and challenging role of my career. It requires me to think beyond a single mission. I must take a holistic view of the community, understand how different puzzle pieces fit together, and strategically plan to prioritize initiatives. Over time, these pieces come together to create meaningful impact.

For example, increasing child care access leads to higher school enrollment, which generates more tax revenue to fund education. This attracts more families to live in the community year-round, stabilizing the local economy. When we approach community development with this perspective, we can build a sustainable future for all.

What are some of the greatest needs in the Big Sky region?

As our region experiences rapid growth and remains a popular year-round destination for visitors, we must ensure it remains livable for the workers and young families who sustain the tourism and second-home economy. This requires expanding child care options, developing affordable housing, and providing accessible health and wellness services for all ages—all while balancing the unique challenges of our remote and environmentally sensitive location.

What projects are you most excited about for the near future, and also for the long run? 

The two projects I am most excited about have been years in the making, driven by community collaboration and collective impact. The first is a proposed 350+ unit community housing development that will offer a range of homes—from one-bedroom apartments to three-bedroom houses—deed-restricted for the year-round workforce. These homes will be priced below market value based on our local Area Median Income (AMI), ensuring accessibility for our year-round residents and their families.

The second project is our local Early Learning Alliance & Center, which is working to expand and diversify child care options for children ages 0-5 to meet the varied needs of our community. The Alliance is designing a facility that will bring all of our childcare providers under one roof, creating an exceptional learning environment while optimizing operational efficiencies. This model will enable providers to pay teachers a living wage and sustain their programs long-term.

What is so special about Big Sky, and how can you be sure it stays that way? 

Big Sky is a truly special place, shaped by both its tight-knit community and stunning natural environment. Raising our two children here, one who is now off to college, I have always believed that it takes a village, and Big Sky embodies that spirit. This community is a network of individuals who support one another through challenges and celebrate each other’s successes.

Beyond the people, the remote and breathtaking landscape fosters a deep connection to the land, instilling a unique sense of grit, gratitude, and resilience that defines our community.

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Want to learn more? Listen to this podcast conversation between Ciara Wolfe and social entrepreneur Sylvie Légère: Be a Spark: Building a Mountain Town with Ciara Wolfe. Wolfe’s bio is available on the YCCF website.