Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn
The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation is a public charity based in Great Falls, Montana. Established in 1969, it works to preserve, interpret, and share the Lewis and Clark Trail and its history.
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn at a glance
In short: Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn gave $84K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), top state Nebraska. 87% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $83,554
- +62.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- +150.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,570
- -34.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $4,454,845
- +3.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 87% first-time grantees (13 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (30% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn
- How to Apply
-
The Trail Stewardship Endowment solicits applications through an online application. Eligible applicants include Foundation regions or chapters and other nonprofit organizations whose work is to preserve and protect specific trail resources or manage sites providing public access to Lewis and Clark interpretation. Projects must meet the program’s goals. The guidelines give priority consideration to proposals involving partners, matching funds of at least 25% of the amount requested, Foundation regions or chapters, or Indian Tribes. The Burroughs-Holland/Bicentennial Education Fund offers small grants to eligible nonprofit organizations, schools, Foundation chapters, and individual scholars for projects within its education and research purposes.
- Review Cycle
- Trail Stewardship Grant applications are solicited beginning March 1 and must be submitted by October 1 each year. The website lists October 1, 2026, as the deadline.
- Deadline
- Trail Stewardship Grant applications are solicited beginning March 1 and must be submitted by October 1 each year.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 3434, Great Falls, MT 59403
Phone: (406) 454-1234
Website: https://lewisandclark.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn
Who Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was River Relief Inc ($10K). Together the top 10 received $73K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 21 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trail Stewardship Endowment supports projects along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and other important sites off the designated trail that were part of the Expedition’s pathways. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Nebraska (30%), Montana (18%), Missouri (14%), Washington (12%), and Iowa (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn open to new grantees?
87%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 15 grantees (87%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 7% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $38K (2020) to $84K (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $84K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| River Relief Inc Columbia, MO | River Education & Sweep | $10,000 |
| Mouth of Platte Omaha, NE | Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail Updates | $10,000 |
| Confluence Vancouver, WA | Confluence Land Bridge Welcome | $10,000 |
| J Gregg Smith Inc Omaha, NE | Tour Brochures | $7,500 |
| Friends of Lewis and Clark Bicenten Greenwood, NE | LCNHT Great Plains Brochure | $7,500 |
| Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures Alberton, MT | Wendover Ridge Trail | $7,500 |
| Sioux City L&C Intep Ctr Sioux City, IA | Native Cultura Outdoor Show | $7,500 |
| Falls of the Ohio Foundation Clarksville, IN | Lewis & Clark Tribute Statue | $5,000 |
| Travelers Rest Preserv & Heritage Lolo, MT | Visions of Lewis & Clark | $4,000 |
| Oregon Black Pioneers Portland, OR | Eduction | $4,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,454,845 | $250,944 | $424,917 | $83,554 | 15 | $57,624 |
| 2024 | $4,319,506 | $299,037 | $395,702 | $51,306 | 6 | $88,084 |
| 2023 | $3,659,030 | $222,299 | $322,896 | — | — | $48,307 |
| 2022 | $3,443,699 | $478,311 | $318,540 | — | — | $83,815 |
| 2021 | $3,985,962 | $929,427 | $254,004 | $46,459 | Total only | $54,650 |
| 2020 | $3,341,170 | $288,492 | $233,144 | $38,220 | Total only | $42,046 |
| 2019 | $3,283,337 | $259,982 | $336,024 | $67,329 | 12 | $73,387 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says its mission is to preserve, promote, and teach the diverse heritage of Lewis and Clark for the benefit of all people. Its website describes its role as advocate, interpreter, and protector of the trail, and says it works with government, nonprofit, and private organizations to preserve and protect it.
The Trail Stewardship Endowment program supports projects with a demonstrable positive impact along the Expedition’s pathways. Eligible project aims include improving public access, enjoyment, or knowledge of significant sites and protecting or restoring important trail sites or related natural and cultural resources. The Burroughs-Holland/Bicentennial Education Fund supports scholarly research, K–12 education, and youth activities related to the Corps of Discovery, Native American peoples, and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
The 2025 grants included River Relief Inc, whose mission is to engage individuals and communities along the Missouri River in river clean-ups, education, recreation, and river care. Oregon Black Pioneers Corporation received a grant for education about Black pioneers’ contributions to Oregon’s settlement; the organization describes its work as public education through lectures and exhibits.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 15 grants totaling $83,554. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. Notable awards included $10,000 to River Relief Inc for “River Education & Sweep,” $10,000 to Mouth of Platte for Lewis & Clark interpretive trail updates, and $10,000 to Confluence for a land-bridge welcome project. Other listed awards included $7,500 to J Gregg Smith Inc for tour brochures and $4,000 to Oregon Black Pioneers for education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Richard Hunt as Executive Director and the following directors: Alisha Hamel, Shannon Kelly, Gary Kimsey, Rennie Kubick, Mark Meyer MD, Philippa Newfield MD, Luann Waters, Richard Welch, and Kristen Zane.
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn is led by Richard Hunt, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2024); 1 of 15 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard Hunt
Executive Director
CEO → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
30 hrs/week
$52K (2024) → $58K (2025)
Bill Bronson
President
Director → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Philippa Newfield MD
Director
Immediate Past President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Kimsey
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luann Waters
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Welch
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Zane
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alisha Hamel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Meyer MD
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rennie Kubick
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Kelly
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Sayce
Past President
Vice President → President, 2023
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yvonne Kean
Treasurer
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Bystrom
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Traffas
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Alexandria Searls (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Robert Heacock (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Lee Ebeling (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Louis Ritten (2019–2023) — Past President
- Former: Collette Sorgel (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Pat Traffas (2023) — Secretary
- Former: Jerry Wilson (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Wayne Madry (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Rob Barg (2021–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Barbara Kubik (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Karen Goering (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Bud Clark (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Lucy Ednie (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Margaret Gorski (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Chuck Crase (2019) — Director
- Former: Jane Knox (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Mike Loesch (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $58K, to Richard Hunt (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn
How much does Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn give each year?
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn gave $84K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $51K across 6 grants.
What is Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn's typical grant size?
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,570, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn that year got $5K on average.
Where does Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn give grants?
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn's top state is Nebraska, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Montana (18%) and Missouri (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (2 grants) and Portland, OR (2 grants).
Does Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn's largest grantees?
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn's largest 2025 grantees include River Relief Inc ($10,000), Mouth of Platte ($10,000) and Confluence ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn?
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $251K.
What does Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn fund?
The Foundation says its mission is to preserve, promote, and teach the diverse heritage of Lewis and Clark for the benefit of all people. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn?
The Trail Stewardship Endowment solicits applications through an online application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn's EIN?
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0187715. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 16, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 11, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lewis-and-clark-trail-heritage-fdtn-morg_597e9828a99740a98f2cc997ade16346
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_510187715_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lewis-and-clark-trail-heritage-fdtn-morg_597e9828a99740a98f2cc997ade16346},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Fdtn'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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