• June 2014 - Organized as 501(c)3
  • September 2014 - Contributed to Butte Gun Lock Campaign
  • May 2015 - Provided $2,500 in scholarships to Butte youth graduating from high school
  • September 2015 - Ride to Hope and Remember - September 10, 2015
  • January 1st, 2016 - Lantern Lighting Ceremony at the Original Mine in Butte
  • May 2016 - Provided $4,500 in scholarships to Butte youth graduating from high school
  • September 2016 - Ride to Hope and Remember - September 10, 2016
  • January 2017 - Lantern Lighting Ceremony at the Original Mine
  • January 2017 - Sponsor Survivor of Suicide Loss Grief Support Group that meets monthly in Butte
  • March 2017 - Sponsored the TASC (Teens Advocating a Safe Community) St. Patrick's Day youth activities in Butte
  • May 2017 - Provided $3,000 in scholarships for Butte youth graduating from high school
  • November 18, 2017 - AFSP Survivors Day Event in Helena at the Capital Rotunda.  Bill and Lisa spoke on a Q & A Panel for survivors.
  • January 1, 2018 - Renewing Hope in the New Year event.  Lantern Lighting and Prayer Service at the Original in Butte, Montana.
  • March 2018 - Sponsored the TASC (Teens Advocating a Safe Community) St. Patrick's Day youth activities in Butte.
  • March 23, 2018 - MHA Health Summit - Bill and Lisa on a panel for Suicide Loss Experience
  • April 28, 2018 - Out of the Darkness East Helena Walk. Bill presented the loss survivor's perspective.
  • May 2018 - Provided $5,000 in scholarships to Butte graduating seniors.
  • January 1, 2019 - Renewing Hope Lantern Lighting at The Original in Butte.
  • March 2019 - Sponsored the TASC (Teens Advocating a Safe Community) St. Patrick's Day youth activities in Butte.
  • May 2020 - Provided $5,000 in scholarships to Butte graduating seniors.
  • January 1, 2020 - Renewing Hope Lantern Lighting at the Original in Butte.
  • May 2021 - Provided $6,500 in scholarships to Butte graduating seniors.
  • January 1, 2021 - Renewing Hope Lantern Lighting at the Original in Butte.
  • Feb2022 - Donated $2,500 to the startup of LOSS Team of Lewis & Clark County.
  • May 2022 - Provided $8,500 in scholarships to Butte graduating seniors.
  • May 2023 - Provided $4,500 in scholarships to Butte graduating seniors.

Jacob Wheeler Foundation

660 Copperhead Rd.

Helena, MT  59602

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in united states

  • There has been an increase of 30% in suicides since 1998​
  • Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death
  • Suicide surpassed car accidents as the #1 cause of injury related death
  • LGBTQ youth are 4X likely to attempt suicide as their straight peers
  • 20 Veterans die by suicide each day
  • The rate of suicide for white men over the age of 85 was 51.85 per 100K in 2018

Founded in memory of Jacob Wheeler

​Jacob Wheeler Foundation
​Or Send check payable to:

About Jacob wheeler

Jacob was born February, 20, 1998 in Butte, Montana to Bill and Lisa Wheeler.  Jacob had many interests.  He was an excellent student and an accomplished swimmer and soccer player.  As a freshman on the Butte High Bulldogs swim team, Jacob received All-State honors in the 100 backstroke and two relay events.  He was a letter winner on Butte High's 2013 State qualifying soccer team.  He was named Academic All-State for both sports in the 2013-2014 school year.  Jacob enjoyed fishing and hunting with his dad and grandpa, as well as camping and family vacations, video games, knitting, and playing cards.  Jacob was always there to help with the chores around the house.  Jacob began working for the family business, El Taco, in July of 2013 and received his drivers license the following November.  Jacob's best friend was his older sister, Abigail.  To those who knew him, Jacob was considerate and kind, affectionate and funny, soft-spoken yet of high moral character.  His willingness to put the needs of others first will be remembered always.  And of course, we'll always remember the enormous "Jacob Hugs" he shared. Jacob died on January 1, 2014, a victim of suicide.

In montana

  • For 30 years Montana has ranked in the top five for suicide rates in the nation for all age groups
  • 2009 - 2018 Montana has the highest rate of suicide among American Indians
  • 2009 - 2018 the youth suicide rate in Montana is double the National rate
  • Suicide is the #1 cause of preventable death in Montana children 10-14
  • Firearms account for 60% of suicides

IMpact on survivors

  • For every suicide, 130 people knew the person who died
  • ​By 2017, 40-50% of the US knows someone who died by suicide
  • Studies show that for every completed suicide, there are 6 direct survivors.  
  • 1 of 60 in the US are considered survivors of suicide loss
  • A survivor is 3X the risk of completing suicide themselves

The Jacob Wheeler Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.  

Foundation history

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