Foundations that fund environmental groups in Montana
These 25 foundations made grants to environmental groups in Montana in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
Get my shortlist
Wilburforce Foundation C/O Lisa Weinstein
- $250,000 to Heart of the Rockies Initiative, Missoula: Environmental - general support 2024
- $250,000 to Yellowstone To Yukon Conservation Initiative, Bozeman: Environmental - general support 2024
- $180,000 to Headwaters Economics, Bozeman: Environmental - economics support for conservation
How to apply: See foundation's website at wilburforce.org for grant guidelines
Deadlines: See foundation's website at wilburforce.org for grant guidelines
Restrictions: See foundation's website at wilburforce.org for grant guidelines
The Fanwood Foundation C/O Bessemer Trust Company
- $4,200 to Montana Environmental Information Center, Helena: General purpose
- $4,000 to Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Bozeman: General purpose
- $3,000 to Wild Montana, Helena: General purpose
How to apply: Budget, explanation, audit and 501(c)3letter
Mwc Foundation Inc #0726315
- $75,000 to Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Bozeman: General purposes
- $42,100 to Blackfoot Challenge Inc, Ovando: For grizzly bear protection and beaver restoration
- $40,000 to Clark Fork Coalition, Missoula: To support stream restoration
How to apply: Letter describing organization and charitable purpose
Weeden Foundation
- $25,000 to Yellowstone To Yukon Conservation Initiative, Bozeman: Grants
- $25,000 to Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Bozeman: Grant
- $18,000 to People and Carnivores Inc, Bozeman: Grant
How to apply: The Weeden Foundation uses an online application system for our grantmaking process. See guidelines for Grant Applications https://weedenfoundation.org/applications/
Deadlines: See guidelines for Grant Applications https://weedenfoundation.org/applications/
Restrictions: See guidelines for Grant Applications https://weedenfoundation.org/applications/
Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
- $20,000 to Home Resource, Missoula: Youth development: future green careers
- $15,000 to Montana Natural History Center, Missoula: Visiting naturalist in the schools expansion to lower flathead valley
- $10,000 to Friends of Missoula Parks, Missoula: Clinton skate park after school programs and summer camps
How to apply: Grant applications should be submitted via the online application found at www.dpwfoundation.org.
Deadlines: Grant applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions generally made within 90 days.
Restrictions: Generally limited to 501(c)(3) organizations with an emphasis on organizations that provide direct services to economically and socially disadvantaged youth special needs individuals and their families, as well as education programming in...
Jane S Heman Foundation Inc C/O Bob Thomas
- $131,000 to Montana State University, Bozeman: The grant is for clinical travel support for msu nursing students. The grant also...
- $40,000 to Clark Fork Coalition, Missoula: Funds used for education of the clark fork watershed.
- $25,000 to Montana Natural History Center Inc, Missoula: 2024 2025 programming grant
How to apply: The following information should be in a one-page document. - organization name, website, address, email, phone contact information - organization's tax id number - organization purpose/mission - primary contact person - person submitting grant (if different than primary contact...
Deadlines: Application deadlines are february 1st, may 1st, august 1st, and october 1st.
Restrictions: Grants are made to benefit the residents of western montana (that area of montana west of the continental divide) in the area of education and to alleviate the suffering of individuals afflicted by disease and the assistance and relief of...
Browning Kimball Foundation C/O Foundation Management Inc
- $78,000 to Friends of Beaver Creek Park Inc, Havre: Exempt purpose
- $35,000 to Western Sustainability Exchange, Livingston: Regenerative ranching program
- $20,000 to Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Inc, Malta: Exempt purpose
How to apply: Application package contains all requirements
Deadlines: Letter of inquiry due: march 1st grant applications due: july 12th
The New-Land Foundation Inc
- $25,000 to Wilderness Watch, Missoula: Environment
- $20,000 to Yaak Valley Forest Council, Troy: Environment
- $20,000 to Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Helena: Environment
How to apply: All grant applications must include: - completed application form - narrative proposal (5 pages or less) - list of board and executive staff members - budget of organization and project, including sources and amounts of support obtained - federal tax exemption ruling - annual...
Deadlines: To be considered at a board meeting, a completed proposal must be submitted by march/august 1st.
Restrictions: All grant application materials should be sent by email to the email address included on the application form. You will receive a confirmation that the application has been received. The new-land foundation receives many more applications...
Harold W Sweatt Foundation
- $10,000 to Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Bozeman: General
- $1,000 to Gallatin River Task Force, Big Sky: General
- $1,000 to Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Bozeman: General
How to apply: Applicant's discretion should be utilized. Only mailed requrests are premitted.
The Kefalas-Pinto Foundation Inc
- $2,000 to Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Bozeman: General purpose
- $2,000 to Montana Wilderness Association, Helena: General purpose
- $2,000 to Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Bozeman: General purpose
How to apply: Written request along with brochure on other supporting documentation.
Deadlines: October 31, for contributions in any calendar year
Restrictions: Limited to funding for the enhancement of adolescent educational programs and other charitable, scientific or educational purposes within an organization listed in section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code.
The Heinz Endowments
- $165,000 to Environmental Health Sciences, Bozeman: To support environmental health journalism in the region
- $50,000 to Environmental Health Sciences, Bozeman: To support environmental health journalism in the region
How to apply: You can determine your eligibility and submit your online application online at: https://www.heinz.org/grants.
Deadlines: February 15 - spring board meeting july 15 - fall board meeting
Restrictions: The heinz endowments concentrates its efforts and resources in southwestern pennsylvania. Given its primarily regional focus, the foundation is generally unable to consider applications for funding for projects outside the commonwealth of...
Park Foundation Inc
- $40,000 to Greater Yellowstone Coalition Inc, Bozeman: Project support
- $39,000 to Environmental Health Sciences, Bozeman: Project support
How to apply: Written request identifying organzation and purpose of funds
Deadlines: Quarterly deadlines - vary year to year date is first friday of every quarter
The Horne Family Foundation
- $20,000 to Environmental Health Sciences, Bozeman: Supports general activities
- $15,000 to Buffalo Field Campaign, West Yellowstone: Supports general activities
How to apply: Grant application available on website
Deadlines: March 31 and september 30
Restrictions: Grant limitations are available on website
The Tapeats Fund
- $30,000 to Yellowstone Forever, Bozeman: Bird Program
- $5,000 to Montana Land Reliance, Helena: Project and Stewardship in the Madison Valley
How to apply: Fsrequests.com/tapeats
Deadlines: Fsrequests.com/tapeats
Restrictions: Fsrequests.com/tapeats
Falconwood Foundation
- $17,500 to Western Sustainability Exchange, Livingston: General support, unrestricted
- $5,000 to American Prairie Foundation, Bozeman: General support, unrestricted
How to apply: No set form; applicants are requested to send detailed information regarding each request.
Wells Fargo Foundation
- $10,000 to Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Area Inc, Butte: Regional small business education survey
- $10,000 to Yellowstone Forever, Bozeman: Yellowstone sustainability initiative
How to apply: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
Deadlines: Applications are accepted from february 1 through october 1.
Restrictions: https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/community-giving/grant-process/
Town Pump Charitable Foundation
- $16,000 to Montana State University, Bozeman: Eight scholarships
- $2,500 to Sage Gardeners, Bozeman: Program support
How to apply: The foundation requires a written grant request describing the charitable program to be supported by the grant request. Section 501(c)(3) organizations, other than a recognized church, must provide a copy of their irs determination letter with the grant request. For grants of...
Restrictions: Grants are primarily awarded to montana organizations for charitable uses in montana. Only in extraordinary circumstances are grants made to organizations that are not recognized section 501 (c)(3) organizations or governmental units....
Dudley T Dougherty Foundation Inc
- $15,000 to Honor the Earth, Lame Deer: No green colonialism school
- $2,500 to Montana Raptor Conservation Center, Bozeman: Raptor rescue and rehabilitation
How to apply: Requests should be made by letter or email giving the information about the organization, its project, and the amount requested. A copy of the irs determination letter should also be enclosed. Only requests received six (6) weeks prior to the board meeting are considered - other...
Deadlines: Six weeks prior to board meeting.
Restrictions: No grants made to individuals
Pumpkin Hill Foundation Co Fifth Third Bank
- $8,000 to Blackfoot Challenge Inc, Ovando: General operating support
- $8,000 to Yellowstone To Yukon Conservation Initiative, Bozeman: Project/program support
How to apply: Letter
Restrictions: Financial need
Kaufman Family Foundation
- $10,000 to Wild Montana, Helena: General support
- $5,000 to Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Bozeman: General support
How to apply: Call for information questionnaire
Sample Foundation Inc
- $10,000 to Montana Wilderness School, Belgrade: Mws youth wilderness program equipment fund
- $3,000 to Yellowstone River Parks Association, Billings: Designated
How to apply: Letter giving organizational background and purposes, specific need & amount requested. Attach 501(c)(3) irs determination letter.
Deadlines: August 1
Restrictions: Generally limited to organizations in the state of montana & collier county florida (historically). No grants will be provided to religious or political organizations or tax supported institutions.
Peter H and E Lucille Gaass Kuyper Foundation
- $5,500 to Home Resource, Missoula: Family advised grant
- $1,000 to Friends of Missoula Parks, Missoula: Family advised grant
How to apply: Applicants should complete the grant request form on the foundation's website
Deadlines: June 30 to be considered at the july meeting; november 30 to be considered at the december meeting
Restrictions: Grants will be given to charitable organizations in pella iowa and its surrounding communities
Leaw Family Foundation Inc
- $3,000 to Climate Smart Missoula, Missoula: General purpose of donee
- $2,000 to Montana Audubon, Helena: General purpose of donee
How to apply: Informal letter with budget
Restrictions: No grants are given to individuals.
Max and Betty Swanson Foundation
- $3,000 to Montana Natural History Center, Missoula: Connect children with the outdoors
- $1,000 to Five Valleys Land Trust, Missoula: Support all abilities initiative and expand access to missoula's open spaces.
How to apply: See application form attached
Deadlines: None at this time
Restrictions: Generally limited to the missoula, mt area
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
- $500,000 to Montana State University, Bozeman: To support research, fellowships, and community education projects in the buffalo nations...
Restrictions: Activities supported by foundation grants must be charitable, educational or scientific under the provisions of the u.s. Internal revenue code and the treasury regulations.
Get my shortlist