Search Through Sustainability Grants in Montana in the U.S.

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation funds direct service non-profit organizations that help improve the quality of people’s lives by providing them with the tools they need to succeed. Since its inception in 1988, it has funded programs for those with special needs, summer camps for cancer-stricken or troubled children and ensured access to theater, arts and music programs by economically disadvantaged youth and their families. It has granted wishes for terminally ill children, awards for science and math fair winners, and funded programs to purchase clothing, school supplies and toys for needy children. The Foundation also has supported rescue missions, food banks, shelters for victims of domestic violence, free mammogram exams for low-income women, and dental screenings and preventive care for underprivileged youth.

When making a grant decision, we examine each organization’s financial stability, staffing and facility capacity, and relevant partnerships. Additionally, we assess the capability of an organization to sustain a program into the future and their ability to show measurable impact on the population they serve. Finally, funding is guided toward organizations that support low income, rural, and underserved populations through one of our four main focus areas:

Our Four Main Focus:

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation funds organizations that have accurately identified needs consistent with our mission and scope and who have successfully worked to provide programs and services that give youth and economically and socially disadvantaged individuals, families and those with special needs the tools they need to succeed in life.

Education

Education taps the immeasurable potential of the mind. Reaching children through early childhood education, after-school learning programs, post-secondary and graduate scholarships help our young people get the start they deserve. Providing higher education scholarships and funding educational programs helps build a strong educational foundation for future leaders.

Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services ensures the vitality of the human body and spirit. We target programs that ensure access to basic health care services to the most vulnerable members of our communities, as well as programs that educate our youth about wellness, nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyles. We also support experiential programs that offer disabled or disadvantaged people opportunities they may not have otherwise.

Arts and Culture

Arts and Culture represents the innovation and creativity of a society. Through cultural endeavors we help bring people together to share their creative talents, intellects, passions, customs and bold initiatives to explore new ways of doing things. In the areas of theatre, art, and music the Foundation grants have helped organizations reach a broader audience, infused new life into programs and created long-lasting cultural traditions within our communities.

Community Service

Community Service touches the lives of everyone where they work, play and live. Despite our individual differences, we are linked by common interests to do more for the places we call home. The Foundation invests in organizations that fortify this connection. When everyone is involved one way or another in the improvement of their community, the community progresses in a positive direction.

Livingston Community Trust Grant

Our Mission

The Trust is established to improve the quality of life in Park County by encouraging self-sustaining projects for economic development, for provision of human services, for education and for the arts.

Policies

Our policies are provided as standards and guidelines for the applicant but should not be considered as rigid and inflexible. Our statement of purpose and funding policies and procedures will be widely interpreted to help stimulate new ideas so as to not discourage imagination and innovation.

Mission & History

Investing in people, places, and opportunities in our region.

Our mission reflects the intent of our founder, Otto Bremer. His vision and longstanding commitment to communities during and after the Great Depression endure today through the Otto Bremer Trust.

OBT is structured to reflect the challenges and opportunities found throughout Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. We are mindful of Otto’s extraordinary legacy and our obligation to be faithful stewards of his vision for the Trust’s perpetual structure.

Otto Bremer’s commitment to helping people and communities provides the cornerstone of the Trust’s investment philosophy. He recognized then, as we do today, that Good Lives Here.

Otto Bremer Trust Strategic Grants

Strategic grants are awarded to selected organizations for activities that align with the Otto Bremer Trust’s objectives and have demonstrated an impact that will be sustained and enhanced through further investments from OBT.

The Otto Bremer Trust appreciates your important work to improve the lives of people in your community. Because your time is valuable, OBT’s strategic grantmaking approach streamlines the otherwise lengthy steps commonly found in grantmaking.

We leverage internal knowledge, our robust funding history, engagement with external stakeholders, and research to identify strategic grant recipients.

Once we have identified a strategic grant candidate, we contact the organization to schedule an in-depth discussion and, in most cases, request some basic financial information. If a grant is awarded, we require a straightforward final report at the end of the grant period.

Who We Are

The Gianforte Family Foundation was established in 2004.

Since its creation the foundation has become one of the top giving foundations in Montana, giving more than $130 million to initiatives that align with our mission, vision, and focus.

Our Approach

To see individuals and families in Montana flourish, spiritually and economically.

We support organizations that equip Montanans to sustainably improve their lives, strengthen their relationships, and find hope.

Robotics Club Sponsorship

The Gianforte Family Foundation support opportunities for youth to engage with coding and computer science through extra-curricular robotics clubs in Montana. As a result, we offer an annual sponsorship of $1,000 per team, or 25% of your team's annual budget, whichever is less. If your club is interested in applying for a sponsorship, please fill out the application by clicking the button below.

The Foundation embraces the protection of biodiversity as its overarching priority.

Frank Weeden, the Foundation’s founder and original benefactor, established the Weeden Foundation to address the impact of growing human populations and overuse of natural resources on the biological fabric of the planet. Since his death in 1984, the Foundation has helped preserve more than 6 million acres of biologically important habitat worldwide and provided financing for the first debt-for-nature swap in Bolivia in 1992, a strategy that is now widely used by international conservation organizations. Program efforts have supported projects in environmentally sensitive regions of the western United States, Alaska, Russia, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, Belize, Namibia, Mexico, and various Caribbean nations.

Focus Areas

On a more general scale the Foundation supports the following focus areas.

Bird Conservation

Our goal in the Bird Conservation program area is to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. In particular we seek to fund grantees that work to prevent bird species extinctions and to prevent declining populations of bird species from becoming endangered. We specifically focus on protecting and restoring public and private bird habitat and we assist in acquiring land for threatened bird species. Finally we support protection of bird migration corridors in North and South America.

Systemic Support program at the U.S. national policy level for wildlife corridors, the Endangered Species Act, and additional wilderness designation.

Our goal in Systemic Support is to improve the effectiveness of environmental efforts through specialized services. Specific objectives include:

• support the Endangered Species Act through litigation, lobbying, grassroots campaigns and public education generally,
• promote organizations providing support for groups engaged in wilderness protection, land conservation, endangered species protection, wildlife corridor issues, and management of public lands, an
• improve federal and state support for environmentally sustainable practices, wilderness designations, and wildlife corridors. 

Global Biodiversity

Our goal in Global Biodiversity is to support campaigns and/or groups in biodiversity hotspots. Specific objectives are to

• protect global temperate rainforests,
• support creation of wildlife corridors,
• land acquisition and protection for endangered species and,
• support projects that involve indigenous peoples in the process and stewardship of conservation projects.

Environmental Education

The Foundation’s Environment Education program area focuses on supporting grantees that will provide future leaders with the tools to effect environmental policies. These policies complement the other grantees of the Foundation including biodiversity and habitat protection. Sustainable environmental policies must include both immediate actions as well as education to anticipate and to prevent future environmental impact.

Marine Wildlife Conservation

The Marine Wildlife Conservation Program Area focuses on helping to protect endangered marine species in the Americas through research, advocacy, policy change, and habitat conservation.

To address the adverse impact of economic and human population growth on biodiversity, the Foundation’s grantmaking includes both Consumption and Population programs.

The Foundation’s Sustainable Consumption program currently focuses on promoting greater use of environmental paper. Grantmaking in this area aims to broaden the market for environmental papers and packaging through markets campaigns, shareholder activism, consumer-targeted education, and dialogue with the corporate sector. This year we have expanded our packaging program to include efforts to reduce plastics in the waste stream, through strategies such as eliminating single use plastic disposables by promoting reusable packaging for grocery stores, take-out, and delivery.

The Foundation’s International Population program area is focused on reducing population growth rates in countries recognized for their rich biodiverse landscapes and that have a total fertility rate exceeding replacement levels. To achieve this goal, the Foundation funds groups that facilitate initiatives related to family planning, women’s education and women’s empowerment in countries with such rich and recognized biodiversity. The Foundation also supports advocacy efforts addressing global population growth in the context of environmental sustainability.

Goals

Managing and enhancing community forests by providing accessible funding opportunities, technical assistance, and resources for tribal communities.

Expected Outcomes

The expected accomplishments of this project include increased access to healthy green spaces for tribal communities, increased tree canopy and ecosystems benefits, climate adaptation, and improved air and water quality. The project also aims to increase opportunities for tribal communities and to develop a sustainable community forestry foundation for the long-term.

Allowable Projects

Types of allowable projects through these funds:

• Tree plantings
  • urban restoration efforts, biodiversity, community and ecosystem health, habitat management in and around urban areas, trees in rural community landscapes, interpretive, cultural, educational plantings, and shelterbelts.
• Sustainability
  • climate change, pollution, and erosion mitigation, restoring culturally important tree species, accessible and energy-wise water systems for tree establishment, maintenance, removals, and replacements, and wood utilization.
• Outreach, education, planning, public awareness, build and share ecological knowledge, and strengthen partnerships.
  • Examples include public workshops, educational events, and culturally based community engagement.
• Capacity building
  • professional development, local workforce training, supporting positions to ensure sustainability and long-term management for community forestry work.
• Program development, i.e., advancement of integrating cultural knowledge and practices in community forestry.
  • Build culturally educational, interpretive tree programs.
• Establishing and supporting tree orchards and food forest sovereignty programs
• Tree nurseries, sustainable nursery programs, procurement/propagation of culturally significant trees

Available Funding

Individual subawards will range from $50,000 to a maximum of $150,000 total, over 3 years, depending on the scope of work, unique needs, and capabilities of the applicant organization.

$1,000,000 in total funding is available.

Grant Opportunities

Communities need nonprofits to thrive

We believe in transformational ideas that help individuals, families and communities flourish—and since 1975, the Murdock Trust has invested more than $1.4 billion into nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to thinking bigger, challenging problems and making a true difference.

Strategic Project Grants

Capacity-building awards for mission-focused projects and infrastructure investment

Capital Grants

Is capital growth or expansion important to your nonprofit’s vision for long-term growth and success? The Murdock Trust regularly makes grants that support construction, renovation, land purchase and other capital projects. In most cases, we prefer to receive requests for these types of projects once your organization has raised a portion of the needed funds.

Grant Opportunities

Communities need nonprofits to thrive

We believe in transformational ideas that help individuals, families and communities flourish—and since 1975, the Murdock Trust has invested more than $1.4 billion into nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to thinking bigger, challenging problems and making a true difference.

Strategic Project Grants

Capacity-building awards for mission-focused projects and infrastructure investment

Equipment & Technology Grants

Best practices suggest that a healthy equipment and supporting technology infrastructure is essential. Please note that with these grants, recipient organizations are responsible for 50% or greater of the purchase cost.

The Impact Fund awards recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits, private attorneys, and small law firms who seek to confront economic, environmental, racial, and social injustice. Since our founding in 1992, the Impact Fund has made more than 800 recoverable grants totaling more than $10 million for impact litigation. We award grants four times per year, most within the range of US$10,000 to US$50,000.

Social Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants and legal support to assist in human and civil rights cases. We have helped to change dozens of laws and win cases to improve the rights of thousands. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Texas and North Carolina, incarcerated people with mental health disabilities are forced to remain in jail despite being found not guilty and unable to proceed with a criminal trial.
• In Orange County, California there are currently 13 gang injunctions under effect, which disproportionately affect young men of color.
• In Chicago, Illinois, the city’s homeless shelter program is inaccessible to people with disabilities.
• In Springfield, Oregon, the city and its police department used excessive force against Black Lives Matter protesters.
• In West Virginia, the state fails to protect children in foster care from abuse and neglect. 
• In Montana, voter suppression laws disadvantage young adults and give priority to gun owners.
• In Gary, Indiana, a gun manufacturer negligently marketed and distributed its guns, leading to an epidemic of gun violence in the city. 
• In Vancouver, British Columbia, the police perpetuate systemic discrimination against Indigenous people through bureaucratic measures.

Environmental Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants to support local litigation for environmental justice. These grants are for cases aiming to help people or communities who are affected by environmental harm or who lack access to basic environmental needs, such as clean water, clean air, adequate waste treatment, and green spaces. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Centreville, Illinois, the city’s failure to maintain its sewer system has caused raw sewage to flood peoples’ homes, endangering the property and health of a predominantly Black community.
• In Fresno County, California, the California Department of Transportation approved a highway expansion project that would increase air pollution and traffic in one of the state’s most environmentally burdened communities.
• In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the proposed expansion of a highway would divide the region's Black, Asian, and Latine neighborhoods and cause pollution and ill health.
• In North Dakota, the five-month closure of a highway in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests disproportionately affected the livelihoods and health of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe members.
• In Ontario, Canada, mercury contamination of the English-Wabigoon river system causes catastrophic environmental and health impacts for the Grassy Narrows First Nation.
• In Sacramento, California, the county government and Sacramento Area Sewer District violated the Clean Water Act by discharging raw sewage into nearby rivers.
• In the Eastern Coachella Valley in California, 1,900 residents of the Oasis Mobile Home Park suffer from arsenic-laced drinking water, wastewater contamination, and overcharging for utilities.

Economic Justice

The Impact Fund provides financial and other forms of support to cases fighting for economic justice. From workers' rights to consumer protection for vulnerable populations, impact litigation is a powerful tool to hold corporationss and the government accountable. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Brooklyn, New York, a prominent mortgage lender engaged in predatory practices, leaving homeowners of color at risk of losing their homes. 
• In Washington, live-in caregivers are unconstitutionally excluded from the state’s wage-and-hour protections.
• In Ravalli County, Montana, the county has created a “modern-day debtors’ prison” by incarcerating people unable to afford pre-trial fees. 
• In San Diego, California, vehicle ordinances target unhoused vehicle owners even when no adequate housing alternative exists.
• In New York, a federal immigration detention facility is violating minimum wage and forced labor laws by forcing detainees to work for just a dollar a day. 
• In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the city and county destroy the property of unhoused individuals and conduct forced evictions from public spaces. 
• In Miami, Florida, insurance companies discriminate against a nonprofit community development corporation renting to tenants with Section 8 rental subsidies.

About

The Irrigation Development Grant (IDG) Program supports irrigation projects that increase or sustain irrigated agriculture in Montana. Projects must address a need that will result in a benefit to irrigated agriculture.

Irrigation is the dominant commercial use of Montana’s water and is a key component of Montana’s economy, accounting for 96% of surface and ground water withdrawals. The IDG program was created to increase the value of irrigated crops while preserving natural resources and the environment for future generations.

Irrigation Development

Eligible Projects: The project must (1) address development or sustainment of Montana's irrigated agriculture, and (2) initiate or increase the sponsor's water conservation or measurement efforts. Projects may include equipment replacement (excepting private wells and sprinkler systems such as wheel lines and pivots), infrastructure repair, investigations, and planning.

Examples of Projects Include:

• Increase irrigation efficiencies through water conservation
• Expand or sustain irrigated acreage
• Increase production of high-value crops
• Improve management of irrigation systems
• Improve inter-basin cooperation among all water users. 

Idaho and Montana Grant Program

The Steele-Reese Foundation is a charitable trust committed to supporting rural communities and the tax-exempt entities that serve them in Idaho, Montana, in the Native nations that share the geography, and in Appalachian Kentucky. Since its inception, the Foundation has maintained a focus on the unique challenges of rural living and on helping people build healthy, successful, and sustainable communities.

We support Rural Education, Rural Human/Social Services, Rural Conservation and Preservation, Rural Health, and Rural Arts and Humanities projects. Applications from organizations operating outside of the Foundation's regional or programming areas are not eligible for funding. Please check back periodically for the latest updates about the Foundation's priorities and application policies.

Idaho and Montana Grant Program

In its Idaho and Montana Grant Program, The Steele-Reese Foundation makes grants only to federally tax-exempt entities for work in rural Idaho and Montana communities, and in Native nations with whom we share this geography. 

Program Areas

Rural Education

In both the Appalachian Kentucky and Idaho and Montana Grant Programs, the Foundation focuses on early childhood to Grade 12 education programming. Examples include funding for supplemental programs in early childhood education settings; elementary, middle, and high school programs that improve outcomes for students; support of literacy programs and out-of-school-time services; and charter schools and other model school programs that provide quality educational options for students and families. We also provide assistance to small public libraries. The Foundation does not accept applications to directly fund higher education, though we will consider early childhood to Grade 12 programs operated by colleges or universities or state or local education districts.

The Foundation considers education projects that demonstrate a comprehensive level of engagement with participants that result in clear and measurable outcomes. We are not able to fund those projects with single or limited interactions with students or those whose primary outcome is to raise awareness or introduce a concept. We are unable to support summer camps.

The Foundation also supports a small college scholarship program only for graduates of high schools in Lemhi and Custer Counties, Idaho.

Rural Human/Social Services 

In the Idaho and Montana Grant Program, the Foundation considers programs in support of low-income and under-represented populations, including elders, homeless individuals, people living with disabilities, young children, disadvantaged or disconnected older youth, young people or adults involved in the criminal justice system, and survivors of abuse or domestic violence. Programming within this area also includes support to local libraries, fire-protection services, and local food banks.

Rural Conservation and Preservation 

In the Idaho and Montana Grant Program, the Foundation considers land, water, and wildlife conservation; historic preservation and restoration projects; and ecosystem protection programs. All conservation or environmental programs must be locally focused on rural communities or landscapes.

National organizations are eligible for support only if all Steele-Reese Foundation funds will be employed directly in projects located in the geographical areas served by the Foundation and if the coordinating entity can demonstrate substantial connections to the people and organizations in these areas.

Rural Health 

In the Idaho and Montana Grant Program, the Foundation considers services in preventive health programs; medical clinics; small hospitals; EMS and ambulance units; family-planning programs, and hospices. The Foundation is not able to support major equipment purchases for rural medical facilities.

Rural Arts and Humanities 

In the Idaho and Montana Grant Program, the Foundation considers local arts programs, and the broader support of creative arts activities and efforts to maintain the rich histories of the Foundation’s funding geographies. 

Capital Improvements and Campaigns

In all program areas, the Foundation makes a limited number of grants for capital improvements, fixtures, and remodeling, retrofitting, and building new structures. In projects involving the building of a new facility or other large-scale capital endeavors, we typically make these grants only during the closing phases when a substantial portion of the required funds are already in hand. 

Funding

The minimum grant awarded by the Foundation is $5,000. We rarely make grants of up to $50,000 for a single year or make multi-year grants.

About Us

Who We Are

The Gianforte Family Foundation was established in 2004.

Since its creation the foundation has become one of the top giving foundations in Montana, giving more than $130 million to initiatives that align with our mission, vision, and focus.

Our Approach

To see individuals and families in Montana flourish, spiritually and economically.

We support organizations that equip Montanans to sustainably improve their lives, strengthen their relationships, and find hope.

Grant Guidelines

Partnership Eligibility

The Gianforte Family Foundation partners with organizations that equip people to improve their lives in a sustainable way.

Broadwater Community Foundation

Mission:

The Broadwater Community Foundation (BCF) builds a community endowment fund that develops resources to enhance the quality of life and shape the future of Broadwater County.

About Us: 

Broadwater Community Foundation (BCF) is a permanent endowment fund created in 1993 by and for the people of Broadwater County. We serve as catalysts and supporters of good works to address community needs and challenges. 

Funds raised by BCF are placed in an endowment under the supervision of the Montana Community Foundation in Helena, Montana, where they are invested and managed with the goal of "growing" the fund. Each year a percentage of the earnings from the fund are available for the BCF Board of Directors to grant out to support local projects that will improve our community.

The BCF Board of Directors is a group of dedicated local volunteers who work diligently on behalf of the foundation to increase public awareness, raise funds, support community projects, and provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors. We are your neighbors and our goal is to help ensure that the quality of life we so cherish continues in our community. We appreciate your support and hope that you consider giving again, or for the first time, to BCF this year. Remember your donations are tax deductible!

The Seeley Lake Community Foundation helps local groups fund important community projects. In this capacity, the SLCF strives to be a community resource and catalyst for innovative approaches to improving the quality of life in Seeley Lake, MT.

Areas of Interest

Education

• Projects and efforts that seek to close the achievement gap among students.
• Projects that foster creativity and experiential learning in the classroom.
• Projects that promote literacy and life-long learning.
• Collaborative projects with other teachers, non-profit organizations (such as museums, libraries, theater companies, human service agencies, etc.) and business-education entities. 

Arts & Culture

• Projects that broaden, deepen, and diversify the public’s awareness of and engagement in local arts and cultural activities. 
• Projects that increase the creation and performance of art forms that reflect the diversity and cultural history of our community. 
• Projects that offer children and youth experiences in the arts.
• Projects that seek to increase the venues for art exhibition and performances.
• Collaborative projects with other non-profit organizations, government agencies, and business entities. 

Community Development

• Projects that help strengthen our economy and build financial stability for our community.
• Projects that work to unify and build community support and capacity to improve the quality of life for all members of the community. 
• Projects that create or retain jobs in our community.
• Projects that support affordable housing initiatives in the community.
• Projects that promote and recognize citizen volunteerism. 
• Projects that promote the physical development of a town center and hub for activities.
• Collaborative projects with other non-profit organizations, government agencies, and business entities.

Natural Resources & Conservation

• Projects that promote positive stewardship of our timber, water and other natural resources.
• Projects that recognize and protect the unique ecological setting of the Seeley Lake region.
• Projects that provide opportunities in environmental education and conservation.
• Projects that promote open space and greater recreational opportunities.
• Collaborative projects with other non-profit organizations or government agencies to ensure sustainability of the regions natural resources. 

Basic Human Needs

• Projects that help low-income and disadvantaged children and adults meet basic needs for food, clothing, and emergency and permanent housing. 
• Projects that address family violence.
• Projects that expand opportunities for persons with disabilities
• Projects that initiate or strengthen services for recovery from illness or substance abuse.
• Collaborative projects with other non-profit organizations (such as community medical services, hospitals, government agencies, human service agencies, etc.) to provide dependable, basic services to community members. 

The Seeley Lake Community Foundation will consider requests for special projects, ongoing programs, and one-time capital projects. 

What generally has a better chance of being funded:

• Proposals with broad community impact, or that touch more than one of our 5 focus areas,
• Projects that will use these grant dollars to leverage other sources of funding
• Community partnerships 

AMB West Community Fund

Through community-driven strategic philanthropy, the AMB West Community Fund (the Fund) is committed to catalyzing and nurturing both grassroots and systemic change to help build a thriving future for all Montanans. We listen to organizations and individuals closest to the challenges, who are inspired to help, and are deeply invested in solutions that support economic mobility and personal wellbeing, especially for those most vulnerable. We strive to bridge divides and foster common ground by honoring diverse voices, staying open to shifting perspectives and new ideas, and bringing our neighbors together to connect through a sense of shared purpose.

The mission of the AMB West Community Fund is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Montana, particularly in Park and Gallatin Counties and Indigenous communities across the state. Established in 2001, the Fund has awarded over $10 million in grants. After assessing the landscape of existing programs and areas of need and opportunity through data and conversations with community stakeholders, the Fund has identified two priority areas for 2024: nurturing childhood and thriving youth. Application requirements, preferences and priorities are outlined in the following sections and links.

The AMB West Community Fund is led by AMB West and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation associates in Montana. The AMB West portfolio of properties includes Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch, and The Ranch at Dome Mountain. At our ranches, our team is focused on meaningful and impactful guest service, and we strive to uphold those standards  by supporting the community.  Throughout the year, our associates give back to the communities in which they live and work – through volunteerism, personal philanthropy and grants made to nonprofit organizations by the AMB West Community Fund. AMB West associates help to identify and cultivate funding opportunities, review grant proposals, attend site visits, and provide recommendations for investments made by the AMB West Community Fund. Associates incorporate The Blank Family of Businesses Core Values in all aspects of their community giving.

Funding Priorities:

• Nurturing Childhood: Early childhood is the foundation of our community’s future. The Fund seeks organizations expanding access to quality childcare and early childhood experience to support preventative and upstream approaches. It provides children—zero to five—with opportunities to prepare them for successful lifelong development. The Fund is especially interested in projects promoting healthy parent-child relationships, connection to community resources, and social and emotional skills among parents and children.
• Thriving Youth: Thriving youth are energized about their future and have a sense of purpose. The Fund seeks creative efforts to help youth discover and develop talents, attributes, and passions; develop goals; connect to pathways and support networks to achieve their aspirations; and build life skills to reach independence and goals. 

Foundation for Rural Service

Mission

Working in cooperation with NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and its members to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America through philanthropic and educational programs.

Vision

To harness the power of the rural broadband telecommunications industry to enrich lives in America.

Herbert and Isabel Bitz Memorial Scholarship

One $5,000 scholarship awarded annually. Created by Mr. Don Bitz of Montana in honor of his parents, Herbert and Isabel, awarded to one individual who exhibits a strong dedication to rural America.

Foundation History

Matt S. Browning and Barbara Kimball Browning founded the Browning Kimball Foundation in 1978. It is a unique private foundation dedicated to reaching out to charitable organizations that improve the quality of living for people and communities throughout Montana.

The Directors are sensitive to the needs of communities, large and small, and look for mission statements that enhance living conditions for people with all levels of abilities.

Foundation Mission

The Browning Kimball Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Central Montana by promoting sustainable agriculture and fostering the well-being of youth and families.

Foundation Policies

In an effort to promote good governance and fundraising practices, the Browning Kimball Foundation may limit grants to four (4) successive years. At that time, the Board may decide to cease funding. Browning Kimball Foundation grantees are encouraged to maintain a large funding base and not become reliant on one funder.

Areas of Support

• Environment
• Community Development
• Education
• Agriculture
• Health & Wellness
• Human Services

Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County Grant

Thank you for your interest in applying for a grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County (CFNRC). The foundation is an affiliate of the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) and provides grants to qualified non-profit and charitable community service projects in northern Rosebud County and the communities of Forsyth, Angela, Ingomar and Rosebud. 

Grant Criteria

Grants will be made for projects in the following program areas:

• Youth Programs & Education
• Recreation Art & Culture
• Community & Economic Development
• Natural Resources
• Conservation & Environment
• Emergency Services
• Healthcare Services
• Historic Preservation

Evaluation Criteria

The granting process is competitive. Eligible projects will be evaluated on the following criteria.

• Provides a direct benefit to local, area residents by enhancing quality of life now and into the future.
• Creates long term asset building and is sustainable.
• Addresses important community needs.
• Demonstrates wide spread support. Applicant works with other entities to reflect community support with additional funding and in-kind contributions toward the project.

Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County

Thank you for your interest in applying for a grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County (CFNRC). The foundation is an affiliate of the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) and provides grants to qualified non-profit and charitable community service projects in northern Rosebud County and the communities of Forsyth, Angela, Ingomar and Rosebud. 

Grant Criteria

Grants will be made for projects in the following program areas:

• Youth & Education
• Recreation, Arts & Culture
• Basic Human Services
• Community & Economic Development
• Natural Resources, Conservation & the Environment
• Health Care Services
• Emergency Services
• Historic Preservation

Evaluation Criteria

The granting process is competitive. Eligible projects will be evaluated on the following criteria.

• Provides a direct benefit to local, area residents by enhancing quality of life now and into the future.
• Creates long term asset building and is sustainable.
• Addresses important community needs.
• Demonstrates wide spread support. Applicant works with other entities to reflect community support with additional funding and in-kind contributions toward the project. 

Signature Community Impact Grant

Signature Community Impact Grants, a new program added in 2019, can range in size up to $10,000; however, the project must have significant community support and partnerships, and demonstrate significant community impact. 

Grant requests will be evaluated by the CFNRC Granting Committee and are approved by the Montana Community Foundation. Demonstrating partnerships and community support is extremely important as our grants become more competitive. We are not likely to fund 100% of any project. Money, labor and in-kind donations are all helpful in partnering. CFNRC requires quality digital pictures (300 dpi minimum) of your project, including progress or “action shots” and end results.

About High Stakes Foundation

The High Stakes Foundation supports visionary people and organizations in Montana through grants and program related investments. We fund transformational ideas that promote equality, climate change solutions, economic development, local agriculture, sustainable communities, ecosystem preservation and leadership. We believe in solutions which support vibrant, interconnected communities that give everyone in the local community a direct, long-term interest in the prosperity, health, and beauty of Montana.

We primarily provide general operating support grants to dynamic mission-aligned change-makers.

Focus Areas

We support talented and skilled leaders and their organizations who are focused on:Civic EngagementWe support change makers working to engage, inform and activate constituents in support of a vibrant, just democracy. Climate ChangeWe support proactive solutions to protect the environment. ConservationWe believe in conserving public lands for future generations. Economic DevelopmentWe champion increased opportunity and robust, sustainable local economies. LeadershipWe encourage the next generation of Montana community leaders. Local Food SystemsWe support local food security in Montana. Social JusticeWe value a vibrant, informed democracy, and promote a just, equitable society. SustainabilityWe believe in reducing our footprint here in Montana and around the globe. Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Call for Proposals (CFP) 

Through our annual call for proposals, we offer Montana-based organizations a chance to apply for funding to design and pilot innovative Montana-grown solutions to critical health challenges. The applications we receive also help us understand the evolving needs and priorities in communities around the state.

To be considered for funding, applicant organizations must meet our eligibility criteria. Project proposals must address each of our selection criteria, which applicants should read in-depth before applying.

The strongest applications will demonstrate the importance of the health issue being addressed, the effectiveness of the program you seek to design or implement, strong partnerships with organizations that can contribute to success, and sustainability beyond the grant term.

Funding

We provide grants between $10,000 and $50,000 for one-year (12 month) projects; and up to $100,000 for two-year (24 month) projects.

Planning Projects

For projects in the planning phase, we provide grants of up to $50,000 to support strategic, business, and sustainability planning. Do not apply for over $50,000 if your project is currently in the planning phase.

Implementation Projects

For projects that already have strong business and sustainability plans, we provide up to $100,000 for implementation. Please note that the larger implementation awards are very competitive, and we receive many more applications than we can fund.

Environmental Justice Giving Project Grant

What We Will Fund

The Giving Project will focus on Environmental Justice, making grants to support organizing work that aims to achieve equitable access to a clean and healthy environment for frontline communities most impacted by the climate crisis, environmental racism, and environmental injustice.

The “environment” in the context of the environmental justice movement is defined as the spaces where we live, work, learn, play, pray, and heal. This grant will fund rural and urban organizations working at the intersection of environmental, racial, and economic justice to create sustainable, self-determined and just communities.

We will prioritize funding organizations with Black, Indigenous, and/or POC leadership, and/or who conduct most of their work in reservation communities, and/or rural, small town communities.

Some examples of organizing work that is eligible for this grant include:

• Resource mobilization for affordable and healthy housing
• Organizing efforts supporting access to clean and healthy food, water, and air
• Leadership development programs for environmental justice and health equity
• Facilitating just transition and climate resilience work
• Developing community processes, practices, or civic engagement addressing neighborhood blight

Funding

Grant amount: 2-year grants of $50,000 ($25K/year)

Invest Native

Wells Fargo announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Invest Native, a $20 million philanthropic commitment to Native American communities in six states. The Invest Native initiative aims to impact work within Wells Fargo’s four priority philanthropic pillars of Housing Access and Affordability, Small Business Growth, Financial Health, and Sustainability & Climate Resilience among Native American communities in Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The program is designed as a grantmaking initiative to support a more equitable and prosperous future for Native Americans.

Implementation Grant

Implementation grants are one-year grants up to $400,000. Funding will be for project/program costs aligned with one of the four focus areas including strengthening housing access & affordability, small business growth, financial health, and sustainability & climate resilience.

Funding Pillars

Projects must fit within one of Invest Native’s four funding pillars to be eligible. These pillars are:

• Small Business Growth: Focus is to primarily support initiatives that accelerate growth opportunities for established small businesses to help them scale. Investments center on key drivers of growth: Capital, Network, and Knowledge.
• Sustainability & Climate Resiliency: Focus is to support sustainability initiatives that drive an equity-focused transition to a low-carbon economy, with a focus on mitigating climate impacts and facilitating transition opportunities in low and moderate income (LMI) communities. Emphasis is to expand availability and access to sustainable finance transactions in LMI communities and developing and centering community power.
• Financial Health: Focus is to invest in foundational structures and transformative solutions that address systemic inequities, build financial security, and advance wealth and legacy creation among historically marginalized communities. Emphasis is on financial stability (including financial access, asset building and financial counseling).
• Housing Affordability & Access: Focus is to strive to foster interventions and innovative solutions that increase access to affordable, sustainable, and wealth-generating housing for vulnerable populations and communities. Emphasis will be on keeping people housed, housing stability, and opening doors to access.

Our Core Principles:

• Relevance: We continually seek information regarding significant opportunities in our region and in our focus areas to ensure that we are responding to current needs and opportunities.
• Community Engagement: We seek to foster community engagement in protecting wildlife and habitat and in engaging youth skills to build directly on community needs and strengths.
• Focus on Place: Grounded in the Northwest, we fund in urban, rural and tribal communities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington where people work to improve the places that they live.
• Expand Opportunity: We give special consideration in our grant making to benefit and expand opportunities for underserved populations in our region.

Wildlife and Habitat Programs: Promoting Biodiversity in a Changing Climate

Conservation efforts that utilize the impacts of climate change when selecting areas for protection.

Engaging a community of citizens, scientists, and conservationists in educating the public about biodiversity and climate change.

Restoring important lands for biodiversity, focal species, and landscape connectivity. Including but not limited to:

• Assessments to identify species and communities at risk, including strategies to work toward ecosystem resilience.
• Identification of barriers to migration and mitigation measures to enhance landscape connectivity.
• Adaptive restoration strategies based on predicted species range expansion and contraction.
• Promoting the biodiversity of the marine and freshwater environments.

Guidelines for Wildlife and Habitat Programs

As development pressures increase, the stewardship of vital ecosystems is critical for protecting wildlife populations and habitat. The effort must be based on solid conservation biology, recognizing the resilience, complexity and interdependence of all life. Conservation of critical habitat and species requires comprehensive strategies and collaboration among partners working in the region, recognizing the limitation of funds available. Stewardship is the shared responsibility of empowered citizens, engaged scientists, collaborating foundations, informed business and property owners, and an accountable government. Healthy and diverse wildlife populations and habitat must be preserved through sound government policies and a range of creative conservation approaches. The principle of sustainability requires that environment, economics and equity are considered together to protect the quality of life at every level.

What We Fund

To maximize the impact of our financial support, the Foster Foundation cultivates long-term partnerships with organizations whose work aligns with our priority funding issues. By identifying well run nonprofit programs with the vision and capacity to get things done, we continue to make sound investments in the people, communities and future of the Pacific Northwest.

Priority Areas

Building strong communities benefits all of us. Improving community life encompasses not only meeting critical needs such as food, housing, healthcare, education and employment, but also enriching community spirt and well-being through the support of artistic expression, cultural programs and sports/recreational opportunities.

We seek to identify and fund under-resourced opportunities to make a difference in these four areas:

Social Services/ Human Welfare

We fund emergency and critical human services that support people and families in need. This includes food, emergency/transitional housing, job/life's skills training, counseling and other resources and opportunities that build economic self-reliance.

Education

We support innovative programs that improve literacy, learning and academic success for all ages. Training, tutoring, mentoring and enrichment programs are examples of our outreach in this area.

Medical Research, Treatment & Care

We provide funding for promising medical research to aid in the understanding, treatment and prevention of diseases. The Foundation also supports hospice care as well as HIV/AIDs research and education.

Community Engagement

We nurture the spirt and well-being of Northwest communities by supporting cultural, artistic and recreational activities that engage all ages and populations. Foundation grants help sustain arts organizations and programs that express and grow the creative imagination. We also support community sports/recreational programs, centers and activities that promote health, well-being and teamwork.

Geographic Reach

With both family and business roots in the Pacific Northwest, The Foster Foundation takes a regional approach to giving. We target our funding to assist nonprofits engaged in our priority funding concerns within Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

In addressing the founders' original intent, the Foundation will expand our philanthropy into smaller, more diverse communities within this five state area over the coming years. We will continue to support existing grantees. But, we desire to learn about and fund other pioneering initiatives and nonprofit programs that address the underserved and disadvantaged segments of this population―especially children, women and seniors.

CHS Inc

CHS (fomerly is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, agronomy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to creating connections to empower agriculture, helping its farmer-owners, customers and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, seed, crop protection products, grain marketing services, production and agricultural services, animal nutrition products, foods and food ingredients, and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries and pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products. 

CHS invests in programs that strengthen hometown communities and develop future generations of ag leaders through CHS community giving and the CHS Foundation. These initiatives support CHS sustainability efforts and long-term focus on people and rural communities

CHS community giving serves cooperative communities through support of cooperative matching grants, Twin Cities projects, volunteerism and industry support.

CHS Foundation

The CHS Foundation builds ag career pathways and educates rural youth through support of ag safety.

Teacher Grants

The CHS Foundation will award up to $50,000 to help teachers to implement a project at their school that will engage students in experiential agricultural education. We know teachers have big ideas we want to help bring those to life for students in rural communities.

We Are Your Family, Friends and Neighbors. We are Montanans.

We're all about Montana's future. Through the power of permanently endowed funds, we help people achieve their philanthropic goals and nonprofit organizations establish stable incomes to support their efforts. Our mission is to cultivate a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish.

Since 1988, the Montana Community Foundation has worked tirelessly to create permanent philanthropy and build stronger communities. Our work with donors, charitable organizations, cities and towns plays a critical role in both philanthropic and community development. Since our founding, we have reinvested more than $68 million in Montana. In just the last 10 years, we have awarded more than $31 million in grants.