Amicus Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Cameron, MT EIN: 47-2605358

Amicus Foundation is a private foundation based in Cameron, Montana. Established in Montana in 2015, it describes itself as faith-based and family-focused and says it supports nonprofit organizations working in families, faith, conservation, health, veterans, and education.

Amicus Foundation at a glance

In short: Amicus Foundation gave $78K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in Georgia. 50% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$78,050
+524.4% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
10
+150.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$7,805
+149.8% vs 2023
Median grant
$2,000
Total assets
$17,989,344
+95.1% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
50% first-time grantees (5 of 10, 2024; small sample)
Primary geography
Georgia (64% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Amicus Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 286, Cameron, MT 59720
Phone: (406) 682-3906

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Amicus Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

National Christian Foundation: $50KNational Christian Foundation$50KSeedcore Beyond Measure: $10KSeedcore Beyond Measure$10KGraces Memorial High School: $8KGraces Memorial High School$8KRiverlakes Church: $5KRiverlakes Church$5KBakersfield Rotary: $3KBakersfield Rotary$3KCahp Widows & Orphans Trust Fund: $2KCahp Widows & Orphans TrustFund$2KEnnis Booster Club: $1KEnnis Booster Club$1KWreaths Across America: $500Wreaths Across America$500Guideposts Foundation: $300Guideposts Foundation$300Montana Nonprofit Association: $250Montana Nonprofit Association$250

The largest 2024 recipient was National Christian Foundation ($50K). Together the top 10 received $78K.

Grant Size Distribution

87 grants across all recorded years

82<$50K3$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K1$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 87 (94%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Georgia (64%) and California (33%), with smaller shares in Montana (2%) and Maine (1%); the filing also lists Connecticut at 0%. These are reported shares rounded to whole percentages.

Grant Distribution by State

21states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

Cities

BakersfieldEnnisSacramentoAlpharettaHelenaSanta BarbaraBozemanColorado SpringsColumbia FallsMountain ViewNashvilleNew YorkOaklandArlingtonBigforkBlufftonBooneBurbankCarson CityChicago

Is Amicus Foundation open to new grantees?

50%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 5 of 10 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $13K. How we count

Medians: $3K first-time, $2K repeat.

  • 20% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving fell 93% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 8% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M39 grants2020 24 grants2021 10 grants2022 4 grants2023 10 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $13K (2023) to $1.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $78K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
National Christian Foundation Alpharetta, GACarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$50,000
Seedcore Beyond Measure Bakersfield, CACarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$10,000
Graces Memorial High School Bakersfield, CACarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$7,500
Riverlakes Church Bakersfield, CACarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$4,500
Bakersfield Rotary Bakersfield, CACarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$2,500
Cahp Widows & Orphans Trust Fund Sacramento, CACarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$1,500
Ennis Booster Club Ennis, MTCarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$1,000
Wreaths Across America Columbia Falls, MECarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$500
Guideposts Foundation Danbury, CTCarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$300
Montana Nonprofit Association Helena, MTCarry Out Charitable Purpose of Foundation$250
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Amicus Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$17,989,344$9,353,205$218,413$78,05010$78,050$2,921,676$948,223
2023$9,219,663$5,513,901$118,056$12,5004$12,500$545,130$587,923
2022$6,269,877$2,758,937$1,407,741$1,343,12510$1,343,125$837,598$442,508
2021$5,684,658$1,465,699$1,086,200$1,045,70024$1,045,700$822,892$446,528
2020$5,626,577$2,183,881$266,173$223,12439—$457,108$323,615

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Amicus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $948K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation says it aims to foster a healthy family environment and identifies families, faith, conservation, health, veterans, and education as areas it supports. It also describes faith, family, freedom, friends, and the outdoors as sources of guidance and inspiration.

Among its 2024 grantees, National Christian Foundation Inc. says it accepts gifts, primarily of property, liquidates them, and grants the proceeds to National Christian Charitable Foundation Inc. and other charities that organization supports. Wreaths Across America describes its mission as remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve and have served, and teaching children the value of freedom. Montana Nonprofit Association says its mission is to provide leadership to Montana’s nonprofit sector and partner with charitable nonprofits to build a sustainable, networked, and influential sector.

Grantmaking

In 2024, Amicus Foundation made 10 grants totaling $78,050. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $50,000, with a median of $2,000. Its largest listed grants were $50,000 to National Christian Foundation in Alpharetta, Georgia; $10,000 to Seedcore Beyond Measure in Bakersfield, California; and $7,500 to Graces Memorial High School, also in Bakersfield.

The foundation’s filing lists each grant’s purpose as “carry out charitable purpose of foundation.” A grant program listing describes the Amicus Foundation Grant as active and as providing matching grants. It states “Location to Montanan Residents only”; it does not specify application materials or a deadline.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists John Lake as director and president and Sheila Lake as director and secretary.

Amicus Foundation is led by John Lake, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • John Lake

    Director & President

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sheila Lake

    Director & Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Amicus Foundation

How much does Amicus Foundation give each year?

Amicus Foundation gave $78K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $13K across 4 grants.

What is Amicus Foundation's typical grant size?

Amicus Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $7,805, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Amicus Foundation that year got $3K on average.

Where does Amicus Foundation give grants?

Amicus Foundation gives mostly in Georgia: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (33%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bakersfield, CA (4 grants).

Who are Amicus Foundation's largest grantees?

Amicus Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include National Christian Foundation ($50,000), Seedcore Beyond Measure ($10,000) and Graces Memorial High School ($7,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Amicus Foundation?

Amicus Foundation reported $18.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $78K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $948K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does Amicus Foundation fund?

The foundation says it aims to foster a healthy family environment and identifies families, faith, conservation, health, veterans, and education as areas it supports. It also describes faith, family, freedom, friends, and the outdoors as sources of guidance and inspiration. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Amicus Foundation?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Amicus Foundation's EIN?

Amicus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2605358. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does Amicus Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 24, 2022)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 7, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Amicus Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Montana

Christian Community Foundation Inc

Colorado Springs, CO

WaterStone supports domestic and international nonprofits, including Christian ministries and charitable and educational organizations, through donor-directed grants; eligible organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3)s whose mission aligns with its Statement of Faith. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, with awards ranging from $5,028 to $11 million, and were concentrated in Texas and Colorado. Grant recommendations come from donor-advised fund holders; the profile does not state that it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$746.4M

Grants

1,651

Total Given

$161.8M

Greater Houston Community Foundation

Houston, TX

The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

1,724

Total Given

$232.3M

First Interstate BancSystem Foundation

Billings, MT

The First Interstate BancSystem Foundation funds poverty reduction, youth development, financial education, and community development, as well as civic, arts, education, health, human services, and sustainability efforts in communities served by First Interstate Bank across 10 states. Its 2025 grants had a median award of $2,500, though amounts varied widely; the stated minimum grant is $2,500. Organizations can submit grant requests online, which are traditionally reviewed monthly, but grants must be recommended by a local First Interstate branch.

Assets

$19.2M

Grants

767

Total Given

$5.0M

Town Pump Charitable Foundation

Butte, MT

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation supports Montana charitable and governmental organizations, with priority for basic needs and education, including food access, community programs, and schools. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $110,900, with a median of $1,000, and went to Montana recipients for work in Montana. It accepts written grant requests through its application portal; no general deadline is stated.

Assets

$78.4M

Grants

622

Total Given

$2.8M

Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation

Missoula, MT

The Foundation supports education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community service, with an emphasis on direct services for underserved people in Montana and areas where The Washington Companies operate. Its 2024 grants ranged from $242 to $5 million, with a median award of $10,000; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

547

Total Given

$50.0M

Montana Community Foundation Inc

Helena, MT

Montana Community Foundation funds nonprofits and community projects in education, culture, economic vitality, land, resilience, and health, primarily benefiting Montana communities. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $12,500; amounts ranged from about $5,000 to $442,000, while its Community Investment Program offers grants up to $50,000 for eligible projects in three counties. Applicants can apply through listed opportunities, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$215.5M

Grants

316

Total Given

$7.7M

More similar funders

More Funders in Montana

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Amicus Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/amicus-foundation-morg_aaaa16b0ccc045339ba3c5b971a7bf59

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_472605358_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Amicus Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/amicus-foundation-morg_aaaa16b0ccc045339ba3c5b971a7bf59},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Amicus Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

Amicus Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?