Central Montana Foundation
Central Montana Foundation (CMF) is a public charity based in Lewistown, Montana. The foundation says it was founded in 1984 and is Montana’s oldest community foundation. It supports projects intended to improve life in Central Montana, including healthcare, essential services, education, civic, cultural, and recreational projects.
Central Montana Foundation at a glance
In short: Central Montana Foundation gave $9.8M across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $272K), mostly in Montana. 61% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,778,971
- +119.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $271,638
- +132.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $27,080
- Total assets
- $66,712,485
- +55.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 61% first-time grantees (22 of 36, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Montana (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Central Montana Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Complete the CMF grant application and mail it by the applicable deadline. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and submit a complete application. The foundation does not fund individuals, political or religious organizations, or organizations whose primary purpose is influencing legislation or participating in political campaigns. It also excludes discriminatory, illegal, harmful, or unacceptably conflicted requests, among other restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- Minor grant applications are due by the 10th of the month for consideration that month. The major grant deadline is April 1; the 2026 deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- Minor grant applications are due by the 10th of the month for consideration that month.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 334, Lewistown, MT 59457-0334
Phone: (406) 538-6130
Website: https://centralmontanafoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Central Montana Foundation
Central Montana Foundation Major Grant
Central Montana Foundation
Amount
More than US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Central Montana Foundation: Minor Grants ( Grant Requests Under $5,000)
Central Montana Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Rural Community Endowments: Denton Endowment Grant
Central Montana Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Central Montana Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Century Companies ($3.4M). Together the top 10 received $9.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
155 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 103 grants of 155 (66%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CMF’s general grant program serves Fergus, Garfield, Judith Basin, Petroleum, and Wheatland counties in Montana. The foundation’s website says separate rural community endowments may have funds available for projects in certain communities, including Denton, Grass Range, Hobson, Judith Basin/Stanford, Judith Gap, Moore, Petroleum County, Roy, Wheatland County, and Winifred.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Central Montana Foundation open to new grantees?
61%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 22 of 36 grantees (61%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $299K; repeat grants $228K. How we count
Medians: $47K first-time, $24K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2020) to $9.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $9.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Century Companies Lewistown, MT | Town of Winifred Projects | $3,416,470 |
| Central Montana Medical Center Lewistown, MT | Capital Improvements, Education, Equipment | $2,651,360 |
| Winifred School District Winifred, MT | Improvements | $919,534 |
| Carr Construction Winifred, MT | Winifred School Housing | $626,053 |
| Griffith Contracting Lewistown, MT | Town of Winifred Projects | $593,226 |
| Petroleum County Community Center Winnett, MT | Operations, Upgrades | $259,341 |
| Smith Construction Winifred, MT | Town of Winifred Projects | $225,448 |
| JLW Architecture Lewistown, MT | Town of Winifred Projects | $207,768 |
| NB Construction Lewistown, MT | Town of Winifred Projects | $178,380 |
| Crabtree Fencing Hilger, MT | Winifred Stockyard Improvements | $87,531 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 grant total reflects 36 grants; the 2023 total reflects 38 grants, and the 2022 total reflects 29.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $66,712,485 | $29,940,798 | $11,682,408 | $9,778,971 | 36 | $4,068,712 |
| 2023 | $42,851,953 | $5,207,255 | $5,676,306 | $4,449,551 | 38 | $1,167,963 |
| 2022 | $40,694,502 | $5,019,493 | $7,019,311 | $6,027,101 | 29 | $796,689 |
| 2021 | $44,762,262 | $14,999,910 | $2,786,611 | $2,224,480 | 26 | $1,812,532 |
| 2020 | $29,935,226 | $2,419,597 | $2,378,662 | $1,745,136 | 26 | $819,626 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “educational and cultural improvement of Central Montana.” Its website also describes its mission as encouraging charitable giving, building endowments, and distributing funds to improve life in Central Montana.
CMF identifies healthcare, essential services, education, civic, cultural, and recreational projects as areas of interest. It gives priority to projects that benefit the most Central Montanans. Eligible applicants for its general grants are tax-exempt or nonprofit organizations registered and in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State, with qualifying projects in the counties it serves.
Among its 2024 grantees, Central Montana Medical Facilities Inc. describes its mission as assuring community-based quality healthcare. Petroleum County Community Center says it provides a place for large gatherings, youth activities, adult education, and confidential medical services. Other recipients included Winnett ACES, which says it works to sustain the health of the land, economy, and traditions; Boys and Girls Club of Lewistown, which describes its work as providing youth with a safe and positive environment and programming; and Stanford Open, organized to benefit Central Montana communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, CMF reported 36 grants totaling $9,778,971. Grant amounts ranged from $5,400 to $3,416,470, with a median of $27,080. The largest listed grants included $3,416,470 to Century Companies for Town of Winifred projects; $2,651,360 to Central Montana Medical Center for capital improvements, education, and equipment; $919,534 to Winifred School District for improvements; and $626,053 to Carr Construction for Winifred school housing. Other notable awards included $259,341 to Petroleum County Community Center for operations and upgrades and $70,000 to Petroleum County for road improvements. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Montana.
CMF’s website says its board considers minor requests under $5,000 at monthly meetings and major requests of $5,000 or more at an annual meeting in May. The application instructions require a completed application mailed to the foundation; incomplete applications are not considered. The website also lists separate rural community endowment applications for eligible communities.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The website identifies Dean Comes as president, Brian Henderson as first vice president, Jennifer Weeden as second vice president, and Robyn Bakkedahl as secretary/treasurer. It also lists directors Cody Langbehn, Megan Bartel, Powell Becker, Rhonda Long, Josh Webber, KellyAnne Terry, Brad Moore, Travis Willson, and Jeff Keller. Carrie Mantooth is the executive director.
Central Montana Foundation is led by Carrie Mantooth, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 14 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carrie Mantooth
Executive Director
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$94K (2024)
Dean Comes
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Cody Langbehn
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Josh Wbber
Director
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Powell Becker
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Kellyanne Terry
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Megan Bartel
Director
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Brad Moore
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Jeff Keller
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Rhonda Long
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Travis Wilson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Brian Henderson
1st Vice President
Director → 1st Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jennifer Weeden
2nd Vice President
Director → 2nd Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Robyn Bakkedahl
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Carl Seilstad (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sonny Comes (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Thom Peck (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Scott Chauvet (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Brandon Bantz (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Diane Oldenburg (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Sandra Westhoff (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Bret Carpenter (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $94K, to Carrie Mantooth (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Central Montana Foundation
How much does Central Montana Foundation give each year?
Central Montana Foundation gave $9.8M across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $4.4M across 38 grants.
What is Central Montana Foundation's typical grant size?
Central Montana Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $27,080, and its average grant was $271,638, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Central Montana Foundation that year got $299K on average.
Where does Central Montana Foundation give grants?
Central Montana Foundation gives mostly in Montana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lewistown, MT (16 grants), Winifred, MT (5 grants), Winnett, MT (4 grants) and Hilger, MT (2 grants).
Does Central Montana Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Central Montana Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Town of Winifred Projects" (8 grants), "Program Expenses" (5 grants) and "Winifred Stockyard Improvements" (3 grants).
Who are Central Montana Foundation's largest grantees?
Central Montana Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Century Companies ($3,416,470), Central Montana Medical Center ($2,651,360) and Winifred School District ($919,534), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 71% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Central Montana Foundation?
Central Montana Foundation reported $66.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $29.9M.
What does Central Montana Foundation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “educational and cultural improvement of Central Montana.” Its website also describes its mission as encouraging charitable giving, building endowments, and distributing funds to improve life in Central Montana. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Central Montana Foundation?
Complete the CMF grant application and mail it by the applicable deadline. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 24, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Central Montana Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/central-montana-foundation-morg_796bf783e4414e74bf865f2723d92fdb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_810425314_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Central Montana Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/central-montana-foundation-morg_796bf783e4414e74bf865f2723d92fdb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Central Montana 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.
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