Best Grants for 501(c)(3) in Montana

501(c)(3) organizations, civic groups, schools, and similar entities hosting events in Sanders County, Montana can seek sponsorship support for community-focused activities. With a mission to strengthen education, the environment, vulnerable populations, and economic and cultural vitality, Avista Foundation provides event sponsorships year-round for organizations within its utility service area.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations working on health, wellness, or human services can apply for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana’s BCBSMT Grants to support program initiatives or general operations. Funding may benefit efforts in economic opportunity, nutrition, housing, transportation, physical activity, and locally defined health solutions that help keep Montanans healthy.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations can receive funding for education, health and human services, civic projects, culture and arts, and resource conservation initiatives. NorthWestern Energy provides monetary support for programs, equipment, and physical improvements within its Montana service counties, with applications reviewed year-round and responses typically provided within about twelve weeks.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations with at least five years of successful operations and $2 million or more in annual expenses can access funding through Otto Bremer Trust for community and economic development initiatives benefiting Montana residents. Strategic grants are by invitation, supporting organizations with proven, sustainable impact and a history of effective service.

Montana 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental entities can apply for Town Pump Charitable Foundation grants to support basic needs, education, and community assistance projects benefiting Montana residents. Funding may help address food insecurity, homelessness, veterans’ needs, classroom and reading programs, first responders, and community projects across the state.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations working on biodiversity protection, habitat conservation, or environmental advocacy can apply for Weeden Foundation grants of US $10,000 - US $30,000. Focused on biodiversity, the foundation invites Montana groups to protect wildlife corridors, expand critical habitat, and support conservation and environmental education efforts in the High Divide and beyond.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations and public agencies focused on historic preservation planning or education can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation, with awards from US $2,500 - US $5,000. Grants support planning, technical expertise, and public education/outreach projects that advance local preservation efforts and build organizational capacity, with a required one-to-one match.

501(c)(3) public charities in Montana can seek funding for capital projects that support nature conservation, STEM education, skilled trades, or community gathering spaces. Ash Grove Charitable Foundation provides up to US $25,000, prioritizing construction, renovation, repair, and restoration projects in the communities where it operates, including Montana.

With a mission to support Western Montana residents, 501(c)(3) organizations in Montana can receive $3,300 - $25,000 to advance education, health care, youth and senior services, arts, and community enrichment. The Bill and Rosemary Gallagher Foundation funds programs benefiting designated western counties, including Missoula, Flathead, Ravalli, and surrounding areas.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations, civic groups, and schools offering arts and culture programming in Sanders or Mineral counties can seek support for community-focused projects. With a mission to enhance economic and cultural vitality, Avista Foundation provides funding to nonprofits located within its utility service area, including parts of Montana, for arts and culture proposals.

With a mission to strengthen nonprofits, eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal entities, and select government institutions in Montana can seek M J Murdock Charitable Trust capital grants to support construction, renovation, property purchase, and major facility upgrades. Awards of more than US $50,000 help build long-term capacity across arts, education, health, community services, and related fields.

Montana 501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal entities, and certain government institutions can access funding through M J Murdock Charitable Trust for new equipment and technology that build organizational capacity. Grants over US $50,000 support projects in areas like education, community services, health, environmental stewardship, and scientific research, with applicants covering at least half of purchase costs.

Montana 501(c)(3) nonprofits and eligible public or tribal institutions seeking to expand programs or add key staff can apply for capacity-building support of more than US $50,000. M J Murdock Charitable Trust supports program and staff growth across artistic and cultural expression, education and leadership, civic and community services, health and environmental stewardship, and scientific research in the Pacific Northwest region.

The Idaho and Montana Grant Program, managed by the Steele-Reese Foundation, focuses on supporting rural communities through educational, health, conservation, and arts initiatives. Grants are available exclusively to federally tax-exempt organizations serving these areas. The Foundation prioritizes projects that directly benefit low-income and underrepresented populations, emphasizing sustainable community development. Interested applicants should ensure their projects align with the Foundation's criteria, as only select proposals will be funded.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations improving health equity and access to care can apply for US $10,000 - US $50,000 from the PacificSource Foundation for Health Improvement. Funding supports direct and indirect healthcare services, prevention of health inequities, and related equipment or capacity building for underserved and marginalized communities.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations, civic groups, and schools providing health and human services for vulnerable, low-income residents in the Avista Utilities service area may be eligible for this funding. Grants from The Avista Foundation help support basic human needs, poverty reduction initiatives, and improved health care access and delivery in eligible Montana communities.

Established 501(c)(3) organizations running environmental conservation projects in Montana can receive US $2,500 - US $15,000 in program or project support. Cinnabar Foundation funds work in areas like climate solutions, wildlife and habitat conservation, public lands, and air and water quality that builds grassroots power and delivers measurable conservation results.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations seeking general operating support for charitable, educational, or scientific work in areas like civic engagement, climate solutions, conservation, social justice, and sustainable communities may be eligible. Focused on transformational, community-based change, High Stakes Foundation invites mission-aligned nonprofits to submit a letter of inquiry before being considered for a full proposal.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in Montana can seek funding for LGBTQ+ health, education, and community-building programs, with typical awards around Approximately US $10,000. Pride Foundation supports grassroots and BIPOC- and TGNC-led efforts serving LGBTQ+ communities through its Community Grants Program across the Northwest.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, civic groups, and similar entities offering education and youth development programs in Avista Utilities or Alaska Electric Light & Power service areas may be eligible for this funding. Grants from The Avista Foundation help support youth-focused education initiatives that serve communities in Sanders and Mineral counties and other designated service territories.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations and other groups enhancing the state’s environment and communities can seek US $1,000 - US $5,000 for projects, buildings, operations, and more. Focused on arts, education, health, environment, history, and community initiatives, the Jerry Metcalf Foundation invites applications that strengthen Montana’s natural environment and diverse communities.

Monta​na 501(c)(3) organizations focused on environmental protection can receive US $1,000 - US $5,000 for conservation and advocacy projects. Maki Foundation provides Montana nonprofits with support for wilderness and wildlands protection, river and wetlands conservation, biological diversity conservation, and public lands management, prioritizing groups with annual budgets under $1 million.

Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. Home is where life happens, where plans are made, and futures begin. It is the foundation for dignity, health, education, wealth, and community. Yet rents keep going up, paychecks don’t keep pace, and good homes in strong neighborhoods are increasingly out of reach.

The system doesn’t work. It must be changed, and it must be changed by us.

Enterprise has the breadth, scale, and expertise to do it. We support community development organizations on the ground. We aggregate and invest billions to improve housing and strengthen communities across the U.S. We advance housing policy at every level of government. We build and manage communities ourselves. Everything we do is informed by the residents we serve.

Together with our partners, we focus on the greatest need — the massive shortage of affordable rental homes — to achieve three goals:

• Increase the supply of affordable homes
• Advance racial equity after decades of systematic racism in housing
• Support residents and strengthen communities to be resilient to the unpredictable, and make upward mobility possible

Since 1982, we have invested $92.0 billion and created 1.1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We do all this to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging.

National Housing Innovation Grant Competition

Home is foundational. It’s where we plant roots, raise and care for our families, and build community bonds. Yet in every corner of the country, millions of people of all ages and backgrounds need a home they can afford.

Wells Fargo is meeting this moment with a powerful grant opportunity. Together with Enterprise, Wells Fargo has launched the third iteration of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. The 2026 cycle of the housing innovation competition will identify and propel proven, ready-to-scale solutions that transform current practices and increase housing choice and access.

Eligible applicants will compete for five individual grants of $2 million to advance their innovation and drive meaningful, systems-level change in the housing and adjacent industries. Winners will gain access to mentorship and coaching from industry leaders and experts and join a powerful network of Breakthrough Challenge innovators.

Focus Areas

This third cycle of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge aims to meet the nation’s affordable housing challenges across all types of communities: Native, rural, suburban, tribal, and urban.

Proposals must encompass one or more of three focus areas:

• Design and Construction
• Finance
• Service Delivery and Programs

Applicants will be asked to show how their proof of concept or pilot program has achieved clear outcomes and success, and provide a clear pathway to expanding the innovation’s reach and impact

Round 1: Criteria and Scoring

Your innovation must meet the criteria below to advance to the official scoring stage.

Type of Community

Innovations can serve all types of communities:

• Rural
• Urban
• Suburban
• Tribal

Location

Priority scoring will be given to applications from entities that are based in – or whose innovations are designed for – one or more of these 28 states, plus D.C.:

• Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.

Affordability

Innovations must serve residents at these income levels:

• Rental: 80% AMI or below
• Homeownership: 120% AMI or below
• Workforce housing: 120% AMI or below

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) presenters and public institutions in Montana can receive US $2,000 - US $3,000 to present touring performers and literary artists through the TourWest program. With a mission to expand access to the performing arts, Creative West provides subsidies for artist fees, travel, facilities, outreach, accessibility, marketing, and related administration costs.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and families through education, arts, health, or basic-needs programming can access funding through Detwiler Family Foundation, with awards from US $10,000 - US $50,000. Eligible projects include arts, education/literacy, community resource improvement, and matching grants, specifically for work benefiting children in Flathead County.

The Avista Foundation supports non-profit organizations in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, southern Oregon, and Montana, focusing on education, vulnerable populations, and community vitality. Grants are available for 501(c)(3) organizations, civic groups, and schools addressing local needs. Ineligible requests include those for religious or political activities and funding for individuals. This funding cycle emphasizes projects that foster economic and cultural growth in the communities served by Avista Utilities and Alaska Electric Light and Power Co.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Montana working on social services, education, medical research, or community engagement can apply for Foster Foundation’s regional funding to support their programs. Organizations must serve populations in the Pacific Northwest and align with the foundation’s priority issues, with new applicants first submitting an Organization Information Form between January 1 and August 31.