Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Montana
175 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Montana, holding $2.9B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 21 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis R Washington Foundation Incsince 1989 | Missoula, MT | $50M547 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $1.1B |
| Gianforte Fam Charitable Trsince 2004 | Bozeman, MT | $12M256 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $231M |
| Headwaters Health Foundation of Western Montanasince 2016 | Missoula, MT | $6.3M131 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Yes | $128M |
| Tykeson Fam Charitable Trsince 2004 | Ovando, MT | $5.6M85 grants · 2024 | $8,000 | Preselected only | $102M |
| Montana Healthcare Foundationsince 2013 | Bozeman, MT | $5.2M162 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $284M |
| First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Incsince 1991 | Billings, MT | $5.0M767 grants · 2025 | $2,500 | Yes | $19M |
| Town Pump Charitable Foundationsince 1999 | Butte, MT | $2.8M622 grants · 2024 | $1,000 | Yes | $78M |
| Cross Charitable Foundation Incsince 2001 | Bozeman, MT | $2.6M110 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $58M |
| Treacy Companysince 1947 | Helena, MT | $2.4M105 grants · 2025 | $15K | Yes | $44M |
| Bair Ranch Foundationsince 1998 | Billings, MT | $2.3M3 grants · 2024 | $1.1M | Preselected only | $57M |
| God Only Knows Foundationsince 2010 | Cameron, MT | $2.0M10 grants · 2025 | $55K | Preselected only | $12M |
| Rieschel Foundationsince 2019 | Bozeman, MT | $1.9M46 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $18M |
| Charles M Bair Memorial Trust Fundsince 1979 | Billings, MT | $1.8M40 grants · 2024 | $22K | Yes | $10M |
| Thomas W & Joan D Scott Foundationsince 1995 | Billings, MT | $1.6M11 grants · 2025 | $90K | Preselected only | $36M |
| O P & W E Edwards Foundation Incsince 1964 | Red Lodge, MT | $1.6M63 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $28M |
| Marie Eccles Caine Foundation- Russell Familysince 1981 | Whitefish, MT | $1.3M12 grants · 2024 | $63K | Preselected only | $17M |
| Dan and Jeanne Scott Family Foundationsince 2006 | Billings, MT | $1.3M84 grants · 2025 | $1,500 | Preselected only | $27M |
| Scoob Trust Foundationsince 2006 | Clyde Park, MT | $1.1M1 grants · 2024 | $1.1M | Preselected only | $7.1M |
| Morgan Family Foundation Incsince 2015 | Bozeman, MT | $1.0M30 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $9.6M |
| Charles M Bair Family Tr Fundsince 1994 | Billings, MT | $1.0M49 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $34M |
| Dowd Fam Foundationsince 2013 | Big Sky, MT | $1.0M9 grants · 2025 | $28K | Preselected only | $8.6M |
| Jane S Heman Foundation Incsince 1999 | Stevensville, MT | $910K30 grants · 2025 | $25K | Yes | $7.0M |
| Alice Lee Lund Charitable Trsince 2001 | Great Falls, MT | $822K14 grants · 2024 | $23K | Yes | $12M |
| Davidson Family Foundationsince 2002 | Great Falls, MT | $660K32 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $7.6M |
| Tillie S Patterson Memorial Foundationsince 2016 | Great Falls, MT | $653K11 grants · 2025 | $33K | Preselected only | $12M |
| Elizabeth Heyer Charitable Trustsince 2016 | Billings, MT | $600K3 grants · 2025 | $180K | Preselected only | $9.8M |
| Nextgen Foundation Charitable Trsince 1996 | Emigrant, MT | $591K40 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $13M |
| Oakland Family Foundationsince 2021 | Great Falls, MT | $587K16 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $9.6M |
| Sample Foundation Incsince 1956 | Bozeman, MT | $555K76 grants · 2023 | $5,000 | Yes | $7.3M |
| Majn Charitable Foundationsince 2017 | Bozeman, MT | $550K2 grants · 2024 | $275K | Preselected only | $5.2M |
| Sheana R Foundationsince 2024 | Corvallis, MT | $540K13 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $11M |
| Lippard-Clawiter Foundation Incsince 1981 | Great Falls, MT | $536K50 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $8.7M |
| Rapp Family Foundation Incsince 1991 | Hamilton, MT | $529K96 grants · 2024 | $3,436 | Yes | $8.0M |
| Braewold Fundsince 1999 | Sheridan, MT | $495K73 grants · 2025 | $1,500 | Preselected only | $7.0M |
| Elizabeth a Lynn Foundationsince 1982 | Lakeside, MT | $448K18 grants · 2024 | $23K | Yes | $5.3M |
| Tordik Wildlife Foundation Incsince 1992 | Carter, MT | $442K16 grants · 2025 | $14K | Preselected only | $9.6M |
| The Cinnabar Foundationsince 1984 | Bozeman, MT | $441K4 grants · 2024 | $8,000 | Yes | $6.1M |
| Wall Family Power Townsend Foundation Incsince 2005 | Helena, MT | $435K13 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $8.0M |
| Angora Ridge Foundation Incsince 2005 | Whitefish, MT | $422K49 grants · 2025 | $1,000 | Preselected only | $7.2M |
| Brady Foundation Incsince 1988 | Billings, MT | $410K14 grants · 2024 | $13K | Preselected only | $6.5M |
| Barkett Family Foundation Incsince 1998 | Bozeman, MT | $393K2 grants · 2024 | $197K | Preselected only | $5.4M |
| Fred L Hartley Family Foundationsince 2016 | Bigfork, MT | $393K20 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $7.1M |
| Dcm Foundationsince 2016 | Condon, MT | $377K30 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $5.8M |
| Greater Montana Foundationsince 1959 | Helena, MT | $372K22 grants · 2025 | $13K | Yes | $8.3M |
| Merlin Foundation Incsince 2013 | Missoula, MT | $363K46 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $7.0M |
| Heisey Foundationsince 1941 | Great Falls, MT | $354K35 grants · 2025 | $1,200 | Preselected only | $6.0M |
| Sgt Kay Foundationsince 2019 | Bozeman, MT | $337K16 grants · 2025 | $8,500 | Preselected only | $6.7M |
| Montana Opioid Abatement Trsince 2022 | Billings, MT | $335K5 grants · 2024 | $70K | Yes | $28M |
| Big Fork Community Development Foundation Trustsince 1991 | Kalispell, MT | $292K2 grants · 2025 | $146K | Preselected only | $5.0M |
| Harris Family Foundationsince 2000 | Bozeman, MT | $290K17 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $11M |
| Muriel and Seymour Thickman Family Charitable Foundationsince 1990 | Billings, MT | $272K23 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $5.6M |
| Marshall and Mary Brondum Special Assistance Foundation Incsince 1990 | Missoula, MT | $266K84 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Yes | $5.6M |
| Boe Brothers Foundationsince 1998 | Great Falls, MT | $260K22 grants · 2025 | $3,000 | Yes | $5.1M |
| Dancu Foundation Incsince 2020 | Big Sky, MT | $250K2 grants · 2025 | $125K | Preselected only | $8.7M |
| Leroy and Claris Strand Foundationsince 1998 | Stanford, MT | $201K62 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Yes | $38M |
| Mott Family Foundationsince 2024 | Big Sky, MT | $190K7 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $5.2M |
| Amicus Foundationsince 2016 | Cameron, MT | $78K10 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Preselected only | $18M |
| Harold and Shirlie Klinker Foundationsince 2011 | Fairfield, MT | $64K15 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $9.5M |
| Baracker Flynn Foundationsince 2025 | Whitefish, MT | — | — | Not stated | $32M |
| Storm Castle Foundationsince 2008 | Big Sky, MT | — | — | Not stated | $29M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Montana
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Montana Arts Council — Organizational GrantsStateMontana Arts Council | Montana Arts Council | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Humanities Montana — Humanities GrantsStateHumanities Montana | Humanities Montana | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Montana?
Our directory lists 175 private grantmaking foundations in Montana with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $2.9B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.