For the Children Inc
For The Children Inc is a private foundation based in Whitefish, Montana. It provides financial assistance to Montana families with pediatric medical-related costs, particularly travel when a child needs medical treatment outside their community.
For the Children Inc at a glance
In short: For the Children Inc gave $38K across 30 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in Montana. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $38,337
- -11.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 30
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,278
- -11.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $740
- Total assets
- $229,662
- -17.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Montana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to For the Children Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Applications may be submitted through its website or printed and mailed. Applicants must meet the foundation’s eligibility requirements: the child must be 18 or younger; the family must reside in Montana; the custodian must be a parent or legal guardian; and treatment outside the area must be prescribed by a licensed physician and provided by a medical provider. The filing also says the child and family must have no other financial resources available for travel expenses, household income must meet the Healthy Montana Kids income guidelines, and applicants must provide receipts for travel costs. Applicants may be asked to verify employment and income. The website says applications are reviewed by a committee with identifying information removed, and that applicants are contacted within three business days after receipt; it allows up to two weeks for a determination. Assistance is generally reimbursed after receipts are submitted, though an advance check for part of the estimate may be available if needed before travel.
- Contact
Application contact: For The Children
Mailing address: PO Box 21, Whitefish, MT 59937
Phone: (406) 862-8146
Website: https://dougbettersforthechildren.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who For the Children Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Allison Star Rock ($6K). Together the top 10 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
105 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 105 grants of 105 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Whitefish and serves families residing in Montana. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Montana. Its website says the organization’s services extend statewide.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
Cities
How For the Children Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+19%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 240% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $19K (2023) to $43K (2024). In 2025 it made 30 grants totaling $38K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Allison Star Rock Helena, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $5,784 |
| Jassmine Actenburg-Frieling Great Falls, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $5,556 |
| Leslie Woodgerd Bozeman, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $3,232 |
| Analysa O'Leary Kalispell, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $2,479 |
| Yvonne Cossins Great Falls, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $2,284 |
| Gabriella Mahoney Rexford, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $1,697 |
| Joni Marreel Great Falls, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $1,434 |
| Tanya Hansen Laurel, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $1,407 |
| Sarah Taylor Helena, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $1,272 |
| JEN McCaughan Helena, MT | Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities | $1,125 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $229,662 | $12,407 | $62,616 | $38,337 | 30 | $38,337 | $4,805 | $15,998 |
| 2024 | $279,871 | $14,578 | $63,305 | $43,166 | 30 | $43,166 | $7,369 | $17,804 |
| 2023 | $328,598 | $13,438 | $29,190 | $19,023 | 16 | $19,023 | $6,133 | $18,643 |
| 2022 | $344,350 | $13,697 | $63,716 | $32,300 | 18 | $32,300 | $4,625 | $21,036 |
| 2021 | $394,369 | $13,777 | $29,405 | $20,974 | 11 | $20,974 | $6,792 | $23,051 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, For the Children Inc reported a distributable amount of $16K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to provide financial assistance to Montana families with pediatric medical-related costs. Its website describes support for families traveling with children to receive treatment outside their community. The website also describes funding for children’s health projects, including the an individual recipient Field Sports Complex, Coats for Kids, and Montana Youth Diabetes Alliance camp.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 30 grants totaling $38,337. Grants ranged from $302 to $5,784, with a median of $740. The largest reported awards were $5,784, $5,556, and $3,232; each was for travel expenses to medical treatment facilities. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Montana.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jennifer Prendergast as executive director; Doug Betters as president; Mark Dowaliby as treasurer; Tonia Paulson as secretary; and Sean Averill and Nick Polumbus as directors. The website identifies Doug Betters as the organization’s founder and president.
For the Children Inc is led by Jennifer Prendergast, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jennifer Prendergast
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
15 hrs/week
$13K (2025)
Doug Betters
President
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nick Polumbus
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Averill
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Dowaliby
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tonia Paulson
Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $13K, to Jennifer Prendergast (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about For the Children Inc
How much does For the Children Inc give each year?
For the Children Inc gave $38K across 30 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $43K across 30 grants.
What is For the Children Inc's typical grant size?
For the Children Inc's median grant in 2025 was $740, and its average grant was $1,278, across 30 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does For the Children Inc give grants?
For the Children Inc gives mostly in Montana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Great Falls, MT (6 grants), Helena, MT (4 grants), Havre, MT (3 grants) and Billings, MT (3 grants).
Does For the Children Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 30 grants with a stated purpose on For the Children Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Travel Expenses to Medical Treatment Facilities" (30 grants).
Who are For the Children Inc's largest grantees?
For the Children Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Allison Star Rock ($5,784), Jassmine Actenburg-Frieling ($5,556) and Leslie Woodgerd ($3,232), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is For the Children Inc?
For the Children Inc reported $230K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $38K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $16K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does For the Children Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to provide financial assistance to Montana families with pediatric medical-related costs. Its website describes support for families traveling with children to receive treatment outside their community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from For the Children Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is For the Children Inc's EIN?
For the Children Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0516011. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does For the Children Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Figures come from For the Children Inc'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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