Central Montana Foundation
Central Montana Foundation (CMF) is a community foundation based in Lewistown, Montana, established in 1984. It is the oldest community foundation in Montana, founded by a group of visionary businessmen including Don Pfau, Al McRae, Don Davison, Jim Wilkins, Leonard McKinney, Fred Schell, and Don Romo. The Foundation serves as a "clearinghouse" for donors to support projects that improve the quality of life in Central Montana.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$66.7M
+55.7% YoY
Revenue
$29.9M
+475.0% YoY
Net Investment Income
$4.1M
+248.4% YoY
Expenses
$11.7M
+105.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Educational and cultural improvement of Central Montana, with the purpose of receiving and accepting property exclusively for educational, cultural, charitable, or benevolent purposes for the benefit, health, and improvement of residents of the Central Montana area.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Healthcare
- Essential services
- Education
- Civic projects
- Cultural projects
- Recreational projects
Grantmaking
Separate grant programs available for specific communities including Denton, Grass Range, Hobson, Judith Basin/Stanford, Judith Gap, Moore, Roy, Winifred, and Petroleum County.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Central Montana Foundation funds exclusively within the Central Montana area, specifically:
- Fergus County
- Garfield County
- Judith Basin County
- Petroleum County
- Wheatland County
The Foundation also maintains 11 rural community endowments serving smaller communities within this region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: Approximately $40-42.8 million (as of 2023)
Fund Structure:
- 12-15 unrestricted permanent endowments
- 11 rural community endowments
- Nearly 80 scholarship endowments
- Over 300 total funds including donor-advised funds and community endowments
Annual Activity:
- Total revenues: $5,207,255 (2023)
- Total expenses: $5,676,306 (2023)
- Annual scholarship distribution: More than $600,000
- Typical annual grantmaking: Upwards of $200,000
Notable Recent Grants (2023):
- Central Montana Medical Center (Equipment, Cancer Center): $1,963,974
- Petroleum County Community Center (Construction): $838,250
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $66,712,485 | $42,851,953 | $40,694,502 |
| Revenue | $29,940,798 | $5,207,255 | $5,019,493 |
| Expenses | $11,682,408 | $5,676,306 | $7,019,311 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,068,712 | $1,167,963 | $796,689 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 0 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
119 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Central Montana Foundation
Central Montana Foundation Major Grant
CENTRAL MONTANA FOUNDATION
Amount
More than US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Central Montana Foundation: Minor Grants ( Grant Requests Under $5,000)
CENTRAL MONTANA FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Rural Community Endowments: Denton Endowment Grant
CENTRAL MONTANA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2024.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors (13 members):
- President: Dean Comes (representing First Bank of Montana)
- 1st Vice President: Brian Henderson (representing Fergus Federal Credit Union)
- 2nd Vice President: Jennifer Weeden (representing Wells Fargo Bank)
- Secretary/Treasurer: Robyn Bakkedahl (director at large)
- Board Member: Cody Langbe
Staff:
- Executive Director: Carrie Mantooth
- Support Staff: Accountant and Financial Manager
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN HENDERSON | 1ST VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| RHONDA LONG | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CODY LANGBEHN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| DEAN COMES | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JENNIFER WEEDEN | 2ND VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JOSH WBBER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| KELLYANNE TERRY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| MEGAN BARTEL | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| POWELL BECKER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ROBYN BAKKEDAHL | SECRETARY/TREASURER | — | — |
| BRAD MOORE | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| TRAVIS WILSON | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JEFF KELLER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CARRIE MANTOOTH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1 | $94,140 |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: Central Montana Foundation PO Box 334 Lewistown, MT 59457
Office Location: First Bank of Montana Building (Montana Building) 224 W. Main St., Suite 407 Lewistown, MT 59457
Phone: (406) 538-6130
Email: cmtfoundation@midrivers.com
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Central Montana Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Educational and cultural improvement of Central Montana, with the purpose of receiving and accepting property exclusively for educational, cultural, charitable, or benevolent purposes for the benefit, health, and improvement of residents of the Central Montana area. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Healthcare • Essential services • Education • Civic projects • Cultural projects • Recreational projects
How do I apply for a grant from Central Montana Foundation?
**Grant Structure:** • **Major Grants:** $5,000 and above, considered once annually at the Foundation's Annual Meeting • **Minor Grants:** Under $5,000, considered monthly by the Board of Directors • **Scholarships:** Nearly 80 scholarship endowments provide more than $600,000 annually to Central Montana students • **Typical Annual Grantmaking:** Upwards of $200,000 in a typical year **Application Process:** • Minor grant applications due the 10th of each month for consideration that month • Ma…
Where does Central Montana Foundation make grants?
Central Montana Foundation funds exclusively within the Central Montana area, specifically: • Fergus County • Garfield County • Judith Basin County • Petroleum County • Wheatland County The Foundation also maintains 11 rural community endowments serving smaller communities within this region.
What is Central Montana Foundation's EIN?
Central Montana Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0425314. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Central Montana Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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