First Interstate BancSystem Foundation
First Interstate BancSystem Foundation is a corporate foundation established in 1990 and headquartered in Billings, Montana. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to assist First Interstate Bank in being the premier corporate citizen in the communities it serves.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.3M
-11.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.8M
-20.2% YoY
Grant Count
758
-50.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+61.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, First Interstate BancSystem Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations involved with:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Health
- Hunger
- Housing
- Human services
- Community development
- Leadership development
- Support for economically disadvantaged people
The foundation has a particular focus on general operating support and leadership development for rural critical access hospitals CEOs. In 2023, approximately 57% of funding was directed toward poverty alleviation initiatives.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$1,000 - $111,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates across 14 states where First Interstate Bank has operations:
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming
Support is given primarily in areas of company operations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total assets: $20,270,202
- Total revenues: $2,308,998
- Total expenses: $5,016,979
- Total liabilities: $0
Historical Giving:
- 2024: $4.8 million
- 2023: $9.2 million (including bank contributions)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,270,202 | $22,978,183 | $24,608,141 |
| Revenue | $2,308,998 | $4,564,674 | $24,872,329 |
| Expenses | $5,016,979 | $6,194,632 | $6,187,091 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,887,827 | $6,072,897 | $6,077,268 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,019,555 | $742,454 | $435,644 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,208,600 | $1,233,400 | $1,116,587 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Big J Show Cares ($25,500), Americans for Independent Living ($25,000), Arch Community Housing Trust Inc ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABBEY OF THE HILLS INN AND RETREAT CENTER MARVIN, SD | General Operating Support | $3,550 |
| ABSAROKEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ABSAROKEE, MT | General Operating Support for building renovation | $5,000 |
| ACT 2 INC ABERDEEN, SD | General Operating Support | $2,500 |
| ADAMS COUNTY YOUTH INITIATIVE INC THORNTON, CO | General Operating Support | $4,400 |
| ADOPT A SOX BOZEMAN, MT | General Operating Support | $500 |
| ADULT DAY CENTER OF THE BLACK HILLS RAPID CITY, SD | General Operating Support | $1,000 |
| ADULT RESOURCE ALLIANCE OF YELLOWSTONE COUNTY BILLINGS, MT | General Operating Support | $1,000 |
| ALBANY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION LARAMIE, WY | General Operating Support | $500 |
| ALL NATIONS HEALTH CENTER INC MISSOULA, MT | General Operating Support | $2,500 |
| ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH INC GREAT FALLS, MT | General Operating Support | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Amberly Pahut - Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amberly Pahut | Executive Director | 36 | — |
| Marcy Mutch | Director | 1 | — |
| Kevin Riley | Director | 1 | — |
| Kirk Jensen | Director | 1 | — |
| Joyce Phillips | Director | 1 | — |
| Thomas Henning | Director | 1 | — |
| Jeremy Scott | Director | 1 | — |
| Karlyn Knieriem | Director | 1 | — |
| Geoffrey Scott | Director | 1 | — |
| James Reuter | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation operates the "Believe in Local Program," which has been running for multiple years with annual grant cycles supporting local nonprofits across its service territory. Recent beneficiaries have included organizations such as KidsPak of Loveland, Colorado, which received a $25,000 grant through the Believe in Local program.
First Interstate Kicks Off Fourth Annual Believe in LocalSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does First Interstate BancSystem Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizations involved with: • Arts and culture • Education • Health • Hunger • Housing • Human services • Community development • Leadership development • Support for economically disadvantaged people The foundation has a particular focus on general operating support and leadership development for rural critical access hospitals CEOs. In 2023, approximately 57% of funding was directed toward poverty alleviation initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from First Interstate BancSystem Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024):** • Total grants distributed: $4,788,499 • Number of grants: 1,375 awards • Grant range: $1,000 - $111,000 • Median grant amount: $1,000 **Grant Programs:** • Employee Gift Matching Program: Matches charitable contributions from First Interstate Bank employees • General Community Grants: $1,000 - $111,000, recommended by local bank branches on a rolling basis • Believe in Local Program: Community-focused grants **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • The Blackbaud Giving Fu…
Where does First Interstate BancSystem Foundation make grants?
The foundation operates across 14 states where First Interstate Bank has operations: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming Support is given primarily in areas of company operations.
What size grants does First Interstate BancSystem Foundation award?
In 2024, First Interstate BancSystem Foundation awarded 758 grants totaling $4.8M — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is First Interstate BancSystem Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, First Interstate BancSystem Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is First Interstate BancSystem Foundation's EIN?
First Interstate BancSystem Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0465899. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in First Interstate BancSystem 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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