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Giving Trends in Montana

Montana is one of the least densely populated states in the U.S., with a population of only about 1.1 million spread across a large swath of land. Given this, it is unsurprising that philanthropy in Montana occurs on a smaller scale than in more populous Northwestern states such as Washington. Despite its population size, Montana philanthropy is growing. According to Candid, more than 2,000 grantmakers collectively gave over $378 million in grants for Montana in 2018.

Philanthropy Northwest, a network of grantmakers, share information and insights about giving in the region. Grantmakers in Montana tend to prioritize education, while the environment, animals and wildlife also reflect patterns in giving, as well as health. Philanthropy Northwest reported in Trends in Northwest Giving 2019. 

The top Montana funders include a mix of private and family foundations, community foundations, corporate funders, and health conversion foundations. Funders include the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, Gianforte Family Foundation, National Forest Foundation, Whitefish Community Foundation, Montana Healthcare Foundation, Montana Community Foundation, Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Headwaters Foundation, First Interstate BancSystem Foundation, Kendeda Fund, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Gilhousen Family Foundation.

Foundations in Montana

100 STRONG GALLATIN VALLEY

The 100 Strong Gallatin Valley giving circle supports projects that benefit local women and girls in the Bozeman area of Montana.

CHARLES M. BAIR FAMILY TRUST

The Charles M. Bair Family Trust supports education, hospitals, arts and culture, civic service organizations, and human services in Montana.

BILLINGS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

BCF supports the Greater Yellowstone region of Montana regarding education, basic human needs, arts and culture, natural resources and conservation, economic development, endowment marketing support, animal welfare, and brick-and-mortar projects. Grant applications are accepted annually.

ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation works across a broad range of thematic areas, prioritizing greater Atlanta and the state of Montana.

BOZEMAN AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

BACF supports issues areas like environment, education, health, basic needs, housing, and arts and culture in the Bozeman, Montana area.

CINNABAR FOUNDATION

This funder supports environmental conservation efforts in Montana and within the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Special project and general operating support grants are awarded annually.

FLATHEAD COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Flathead Community Foundation supports the environment, animals, arts and culture, human services and other community needs in Montana.

O.P. AND W.E. EDWARDS FOUNDATION

This Montana-based funder prioritizes early childhood education and Native American youth. It does not accept unsolicited grant applications, and the foundation is run by family members.

GIANFORTE FAMILY FOUNDATION

This family foundation primarily supports Bozeman and other communities in Montana in the areas of jobs, education, entrepreneurship, Christian outreach and discipleship, needy families, and arts and culture.

GILHOUSEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Gilhousen Family Foundation supports education, healthcare, community, culture, and spiritual development in and around Bozeman, Montana.

GREATER POLSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This community funder supports the Polson, Montana, area with annual grants. Interests include youth, arts and culture, parks and recreation, health and fitness, human services, and education.

HEADWATERS FOUNDATION

The Headwaters Foundation supports distressed communities, children in foster care, early nutrition, and community collaborations in western Montana.

HELENA AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This funder supports the following issues in Helena, Montana, and the surrounding areas: arts and culture, basic community needs, economic development, education, health services, historic preservation, land and environmental conservation, and youth.

LOWER FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This funder supports the Flathead Indian Reservation and surrounding areas of Montana on the topics of libraries, education, youth, facility improvements, youth recreation, museums, and local history. 

MISSOULA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This funder supports Missoula, Montana-area nonprofits in the areas of animal welfare, arts and culture, community/economic development, education, environment, health and human services, kids and youth, and organizational development and capacity building.

MONTANA HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION

This health legacy funder supports public health, American Indian health, and behavioral health in the state of Montana. Open calls for proposals are announced on the funder’s website.

MONTANA JUSTICE FOUNDATION

MJF supports the Montana civic and legal aid community with grants. It funds projects and programs throughout the state and accepts unsolicited applications for certain grant categories.

NYE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

NCF supports charitable causes in and around Nye, Montana. Interests are education, youth, community, and fire and rescue groups. Grants are awarded annually.

ORO Y PLATA FOUNDATION

The Oro y Plata Foundation supports Montana organizations in the following areas: education, health, housing, poverty, veterans, workforce development, children and families, civic engagement, leadership, community, economic development, hunger/food security, homelessness, Native issues, rural issues, women and girls, and youth development.

PARK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This funder supports nonprofits in Park County, Montana, in broad issue areas, including community development, education, health, human services, arts and culture, environment, youth, seniors, and mental health. Annual applications are accepted.

PRIDE FOUNDATION

The Pride Foundation is the only LGBTQ+ community foundation in the Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. It is an expansive organization deeply dedicated to the LGBTQ+ across various grants and initiatives, both organization-wide and at the individual state level.

RED LODGE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation supports youth, arts and culture, community and nonprofit capacity building in Montana.

TEMPER OF THE TIMES FOUNDATION

The Temper of the Times Foundation supports environment, conservation and the restoration of native wildlife, plants and ecosystems in Montana and beyond.

DENNIS AND PHYLLIS WASHINGTON FOUNDATION

This Montana funder supports education, health and human services, community service, arts and culture. Unsolicited applications are accepted from nonprofits in the state via online submission.

WHITEFISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This funder supports the Whitefish, Montana, region in the areas of health, human services, education, sports and recreation, environment, civic, animals and wildlife, and arts and culture. Some applications can be accessed via their website.

WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF MONTANA

This funder supports projects in Montana that focus on systems change and economic empowerment for women and girls in the state. Letters of intent area accepted during annual grant cycles.