Headwaters Health Foundation of Western Montana is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in Missoula, Montana. Established in 2016, the foundation works side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of communities through grantmaking and strong community partnerships. The organization employs 9 staff members and operates from their location at 119 W Main St, Missoula, MT 59802.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$127.5M
+3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.3M
+52.6% YoY
Grant Count
131
+28.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$48K
+18.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To work side-by-side with Western Montanans to improve the health of our communities.
Vision: A Western Montana where all people, especially the most vulnerable, are healthy and thriving.
The foundation funds efforts that empower families to lead the way in improving health. They partner with organizations that build leadership and a sense of belonging with families, elevate their voices to policymakers, and create conditions for meaningful change.
Primary funding areas include:
- Early Childhood: Investing in building the strength and resiliency of families and children by addressing the social and economic conditions that keep children from being healthy
- GO! Grants: General operating funds to nonprofits promoting health, belonging, and leadership for kids and families in rural communities
- Family Power Fund: Support for nonprofits that develop leaders, drive advocacy for health-focused policies, and amplify stories that reveal health challenges and inspire solutions
- CSKT Partnership Fund: Partnership with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Grantmaking
The foundation has made 421 grants totaling $20.3 million according to available records. Grant sizes have ranged from $2,000 to $850,000, with an average award of $48,000 and a median grant of $8,000.
Grant Range
s have ranged from $2,000 to $850,000, with an average award of $48,000 and a median grant of $8,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grantmaking is concentrated in Montana, with the foundation supporting organizations primarily in Montana, California, and Colorado, which account for 99% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 5 states.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $127.5 million
- Total Revenue: $10.4 million
- Total Expenses: $10.9 million
- Total Liabilities: $2.24 million
Historical growth:
- Total assets have grown from $104.2 million in 2019 to $127.5 million in 2024
- Annual income reported at $47.5 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $127,500,140 | $123,719,137 | $115,738,217 |
| Revenue | $10,368,675 | $6,040,950 | $19,516,670 |
| Expenses | $10,930,297 | $8,140,566 | $6,639,184 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,672,344 | $6,963,397 | $5,629,672 |
| Net Investment Income | $12,241,727 | $4,650,802 | $18,713,246 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,274,948 | $5,884,813 | $4,887,039 |
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
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
CEO: Carly Hare
The foundation is governed by 14 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARLY D HARE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $37,954 |
| BRENDA SOLORZANO-CAUDLE | FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $247,559 |
| MYNOR VELIZ | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $350,744 |
| ERIN SWITALSKI | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $187,068 |
| CARISSA KUHL | CHAIR | 1.3 | — |
| KELLEY RISCHKE | VICE CHAIR | 1.3 | — |
| RICHARD OPPER | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 1.3 | — |
| RACHEL HUFF-DORIA | TRUSTEE | 1.3 | — |
| ROBERT J PHILLIPS | TRUSTEE | 1.3 | — |
| JASON SMITH | TRUSTEE | 1.3 | — |
| MIKE STEWART | TRUSTEE | 1.3 | — |
| JEANNE TWOHIG | TRUSTEE | 1.3 | — |
| JENNIFER ST GODDARD | TRUSTEE | 1.3 | — |
| MARILYN ZIMMERMAN | TRUSTEE | 1.3 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to focus on supporting vulnerable populations, including refugee and immigrant youth and caregivers building new lives in Western Montana. Recent grantee work includes partnerships with organizations like Soft Landing Missoula, which provides support for refugee and immigrant families establishing roots in the region.
Moving $200,000 in Solidarity with Immigrant-Led and Trans-Led OrganizingThe foundation operates the Confluence Center, a free nonprofit event space in downtown Missoula designed as a space for collaboration.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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