One Valley Community Foundation
/OVERVIEW: This funder makes grants that support the environment, education, health, basic needs, housing, and arts and culture in the Bozeman, Montana, area.
IP TAKE: Contact this foundation directly to inquire if grant applications are being accepted and to learn about current guidelines and deadlines. Grant seekers should get in touch before submitting anything.
PROFILE: The One Valley Community Foundation, formerly the Bozeman Area Community Foundation (BACF), supports nonprofits in Gallatin County, Montana. It seeks to “strengthen communities and inspire greater giving by investing charitable assets for today and tomorrow; connecting donors with effective organizations, ideas, and causes that matter; and leading and collaborating on important public issues.” BACF has a competitive process to award unrestricted funds to local nonprofits. Recently, this funder made fewer, but larger grants in an effort to increase impact.
In one grant cycle, the foundation gave $1.7 million to 195 local nonprofits. This was part of their competitive grants process. Some of the community foundation’s grantmaking interests are the environment, education, health, basic needs, housing, and arts and culture.
Grants support Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, Cancer Support Community, Future West, HAVEN, and the Montana Ballet Company. The funder also manages donor-advised funds and endowments for local groups; these managed funds contributed an additional $16,100 in a recent year. Learn about the groups that BACF supports by browsing the Grantee Stories section of the funder’s website. Some highlighted grantees include the Gallatin Valley Farm to School and God’s Garden.
In addition to grants, the foundation also serves as a facilitator of community discussions and a fiscal sponsor for groups engaged in actions related to the funder’s mission. Give Big Gallatin Valley is an annual giving day in May that raises money for local nonprofits. Nonprofit employees and volunteers can attend educational and collaborative gatherings on the fourth Friday morning of each month. This program is called the Nonprofit Café, and the events are hosted at the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture.
This foundation’s Youth Giving Project accepts applications to teach young people in the area about the importance of philanthropy and local needs. The Bozeman SOUP Project is a micro-granting dinner where innovative projects are supported. Community members can pay $10 for a ticket and receive a meal and a vote to choose the most promising community project that should win the night’s earnings.
In a recent year, the funder had around $1 million in total assets. Current financial data, as well as a community impact report, is here.
Direct general questions to the foundation staff at info@bozemanfoundation.org or 406-587-6262.The funder’s mailing address is 111 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 214, Bozeman, Montana 59715.
Keep up with the foundation on its Moments in the Media page and its blog. The blog is a good place to learn about BACF board members and what it cares most about.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
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