Foundations that fund organizations in Polson, Montana
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Polson nonprofits
30 private foundations gave $1.2M to Polson organizations in their latest filings; 13 of the 30 that say either way accept applications.
62 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Polson around $3,000. 19 of these funders are based in Montana; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 30
- Accept applications
- 13
- of 30 that state a policy
- Dollars to Polson
- $1.2M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 62
- Typical median grant
- $3,000
- Based in MT
- 63%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Polson organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gianforte Family Charitable Trust | Bozeman, MT | 3 | $410K | $6,500 | Preselected only | Charitable purpose |
| Headwaters Health Foundation of Western Montana | Missoula, MT | 2 | $375K | $188K | Yes | General support; Flathead reservation & lake county zero to five |
| The McKnight Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 3 | $80K | $25K | Yes | for general operating support; for completion of the high school gym; to support a 2024-2025 K-12 Gifted Education Specialist |
| Amber Foundation | Los Altos, CA | 3 | $70K | $10K | Preselected only | Education. |
| The Bunting Family Foundation C/O Knollwood Investment Advisory | Hunt Valley, MD | 1 | $60K | $60K | Preselected only | To further the exempt purpose of the organization |
| Oro y Plata Foundation | Kalispell, MT | 2 | $23K | $11K | Preselected only | General administrative support; General operational assistance |
| Jarecki Foundation | Polson, MT | 10 | $19K | $1,000 | Yes | Charity; Grant |
| Mayfield Foundation Inc | Houston, TX | 4 | $17K | $5,000 | Preselected only | General support |
| Sample Foundation Inc | Billings, MT | 3 | $16K | $5,000 | Yes | Designated; Vehicle purchase for casa/youth connection |
| Davidson Family Foundation | Great Falls, MT | 2 | $15K | $7,500 | Preselected only | General support |
| Town Pump Charitable Foundation | Butte, MT | 2 | $13K | $6,500 | Yes | Keep kids reading; Meals for backpacks |
| Foundation for Christian Schools | Kalispell, MT | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General operating funds |
| The Wooldridge Foundation | Dallas, TX | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Unrestricted use |
| James & Wanda Hollensteiner Fdn Lisa Mary Hollensteiner | Edina, MN | 5 | $9,600 | $2,500 | Preselected only | Working for clean water in flathead; Flathead lake water health study |
| First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Inc | Billings, MT | 3 | $8,500 | $2,500 | Yes | General Operating Support; Neighbors Feeding Neighbors |
| Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation | Missoula, MT | 2 | $6,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Performing arts education for students and seniors; 2024 holiday giving |
| The Bill & Rosemary Gallagher Foundation | Missoula, MT | 1 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Yes | General operating |
| Selah Charitable Trust | Whitefish, MT | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Preselected only | Conservation purposes |
| Sands Memorial Foundation Inc | Havre, MT | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Operation of an animal welfare organization |
| Marselius & Verna Ls Rolfson Charitable Tr | Billings, MT | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Yes | Program support |
| Lois E and R Duke Miller Family Foundation Inc | Alexandria | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | Operational support |
| The Braewold Fund | Sheridan, MT | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | Various |
| Christian Family Foundation Co Kirby Christian | Missoula, MT | 2 | $1,000 | $500 | Preselected only | Operations |
| Buchanan Family Foundation | Great Falls, MT | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | General operating |
| Dun Foundation | Middleburg, VA | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Public charity |
| John & Marilyn Olson Family Foundation | Sidney, MT | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | General purpose |
| Waterproof Foundation Inc | Austin, TX | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Water conservation |
| Seedcore Foundation | Bakersfield, CA | 1 | $650 | $650 | Yes | Classroom supplies |
| Rossbach Family Foundation | Missoula, MT | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | Research and lakemonitoring/ educchallenge grant |
| The Eaves Family Foundation C/O Holthouse Carlin & van Trigt Llp | Los Angeles, CA | 1 | $200 | $200 | Preselected only | Donation |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Polson, Montana?
Gianforte Family Charitable Trust, Headwaters Health Foundation of Western Montana, The McKnight Foundation, Amber Foundation, The Bunting Family Foundation C/O Knollwood Investment Advisory and 25 others reported grants to Polson organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Polson. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.