Headwaters Health Foundation
Headwaters Health Foundation is a private foundation based in Missoula, Montana. Created in 2016, it supports community-led efforts to improve health outcomes for families and communities in Western Montana, particularly those experiencing health disparities.
Headwaters Health Foundation at a glance
In short: Headwaters Health Foundation gave $6.3M across 131 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in Montana. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,265,000
- +52.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 131
- +28.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $47,824
- +18.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $127,500,140
- +3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (39 of 129, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Montana (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Headwaters Health Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing directs applicants to consult its website for current application information, forms and materials, and restrictions. The website provides program-specific eligibility criteria; GO! Grants use a simple application process.
- Contact
Application contact: Visit Website For Most Current Info
Mailing address: 119 W Front Street, Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: (406) 926-6526
Website: https://headwatersmt.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Headwaters Health Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Montana Nonprofit Association Inc ($595K). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
604 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 492 grants of 604 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it invests in nonprofits whose work benefits residents of the Flathead Reservation and Montana’s 15 westernmost counties: Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Sanders, Silver Bow, and Powell. In its 2024 filing, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Montana and 8% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 131 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Headwaters Health Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 39 of 129 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $56K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 42% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 34% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 183% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $3.3M (2022) to $9.5M (2021). In 2024 it made 131 grants totaling $6.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Nonprofit Association Inc Helena, MT | Capacity Building & Trust Based Philanthropy | $595,000 |
| United Way of Missoula County Missoula, MT | General Support | $450,000 |
| Helping Hands Fund Polson, MT | Flathead Reservation & Lake County Zero to Five | $367,500 |
| Zero to Five Montana Helena, MT | Zero to Five | $360,000 |
| The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation San Francisco, CA | Kaiser Health News Montana Health News | $270,000 |
| Trust-Based Philanthropy Project Calabasas, CA | General Support | $250,000 |
| St Peter's Health Foundation Helena, MT | Early Childhood Collaborative of the Greater Helena Area | $235,000 |
| Butte 4 C'S Butte, MT | General Support | $200,000 |
| Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Pablo, MT | Flathead Indian Reservation Food Sovereignty Initiative | $200,000 |
| Lincoln County Health Department Libby, MT | General Support | $200,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $127,500,140 | $10,368,675 | $10,930,297 | $6,265,000 | 131 | $9,672,344 | $12,241,727 | $5,274,948 |
| 2023 | $123,719,137 | $6,040,950 | $8,140,566 | $4,105,000 | 102 | $6,963,397 | $4,650,802 | $5,884,813 |
| 2022 | $115,738,217 | $19,516,670 | $6,639,184 | $3,328,075 | 104 | $5,629,672 | $18,713,246 | $4,887,039 |
| 2021 | $111,739,027 | $7,017,132 | $12,200,241 | $9,508,500 | 111 | $12,550,979 | $11,174,002 | $7,235,440 |
| 2020 | $106,148,941 | $5,570,203 | $6,158,925 | $3,603,752 | 156 | — | $5,365,316 | $4,936,652 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Headwaters Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.3M for 2024 — 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 foundation’s stated purpose is to steward resources and support community-led solutions in Western Montana. Its website says it invests in nonprofits that help families build leadership, shape decisions affecting their health, and strengthen the systems they rely on. It prioritizes families with children ages 0–18 who face health disparities, including families with low incomes, Indigenous, Black and other families of color, families living with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ families.
Its grantmaking includes the Family Power Fund, which supports family leadership, organizing and advocacy, and storytelling and research; the CSKT Partnership Fund, which partners with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on their health goals; and GO! Grants, which support rural nonprofits working on health, belonging, and leadership for children and families. The website describes GO! Grants as $8,500 in general operating support. Eligible applicants generally include IRS-qualified tax-exempt public charities and fiscally sponsored organizations aligned with the foundation’s mission, vision, and values.
Among its 2024 grantees, Montana Nonprofit Association describes its work as providing leadership to Montana’s nonprofit sector and partnering with charitable nonprofits. United Way of Missoula County says it works with community partners on education, financial stability, and health. Zero to Five Montana describes its focus as strengthening the early childhood system, including access to early care and education and support for families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 131 grants totaling $6,265,000. Awards ranged from $3,500 to $595,000, with a median of $7,500. Examples include $595,000 to Montana Nonprofit Association for capacity building and trust-based philanthropy; $450,000 to United Way of Missoula County for general support; $367,500 to Helping Hands Fund for Flathead Reservation and Lake County Zero to Five; and $360,000 to Zero to Five Montana for Zero to Five.
The foundation’s website says GO! Grants for 2026 have been spent down and that applications are expected to reopen in early 2027. Its grant FAQ lists exclusions including individuals, endowments, capital campaigns, event sponsorships, direct lobbying, debt retirement, operating deficits, and after-the-fact support. Additional restrictions apply to GO! Grants, including a two-year operating history, an operating budget under $1 million, and primarily serving areas outside the region’s specified urban centers.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carly D. Hare as chief executive officer, Mynor Veliz as chief financial officer, and Erin Switalski as program director. It lists Carissa Kuhl as chair, Kelley Rischke as vice chair, Richard Opper as secretary/treasurer, and Rachel Huff-Doria, Robert J. Phillips, and Jason Smith as trustees. Brenda Solorzano-Caudle is listed as former chief executive officer.
Headwaters Health Foundation is led by Carly D. Hare, Chief Executive Officer on the 2024 filing; 4 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carly D. Hare
Chief Executive Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$38K (2024)
Carissa Kuhl
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin Switalski
Program Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$116K (2020) → $187K (2024)
Mike Stewart
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Huff-Doria
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert J. Phillips
Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Zimmerman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne Twohig
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer St Goddard
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brenda Solorzano-Caudle
Former Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer → Former Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$271K (2020) → $248K (2024)
Mynor Veliz
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$212K (2020) → $351K (2024)
Kelley Rischke
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Opper
Secretary & Treasurer
Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Christina J. Twohig (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jordan Thompson (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jay Lowder (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jennifer Means (2021) — Trustee
- Former: M. Jordan Thompson (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael A. Stewart (2021) — Chair
- Former: Heather Cahoon (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Steve McNeece (2020) — Trustee
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 $351K, to Mynor Veliz (Chief Financial Officer). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Headwaters Health Foundation
How much does Headwaters Health Foundation give each year?
Headwaters Health Foundation gave $6.3M across 131 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.1M across 102 grants.
What is Headwaters Health Foundation's typical grant size?
Headwaters Health Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $7,500, and its average grant was $47,824, across 131 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Headwaters Health Foundation that year got $32K on average.
Where does Headwaters Health Foundation give grants?
Headwaters Health Foundation gives mostly in Montana: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Missoula, MT (25 grants), Helena, MT (11 grants), Libby, MT (8 grants) and Anaconda, MT (8 grants).
Does Headwaters Health Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 88% of Headwaters Health Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (115 of 131) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Headwaters Health Foundation's largest grantees?
Headwaters Health Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Montana Nonprofit Association Inc ($595,000), United Way of Missoula County ($450,000) and Helping Hands Fund ($367,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Headwaters Health Foundation?
Headwaters Health Foundation reported $127.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Headwaters Health Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to steward resources and support community-led solutions in Western Montana. Its website says it invests in nonprofits that help families build leadership, shape decisions affecting their health, and strengthen the systems they rely on. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Headwaters Health Foundation?
The foundation’s filing directs applicants to consult its website for current application information, forms and materials, and restrictions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Headwaters Health Foundation's EIN?
Headwaters Health Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1099715. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Headwaters Health Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/headwaters-health-foundation-morg_00d4d7ed8d764e62a5f4289757dd6bba
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_811099715_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Headwaters Health Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/headwaters-health-foundation-morg_00d4d7ed8d764e62a5f4289757dd6bba},
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 Headwaters Health 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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