Montana Community Foundation Inc
The Montana Community Foundation (MCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity and community foundation based in Helena, Montana. Founded in 1988, MCF serves as Montana's statewide community foundation, functioning as a bridge between donors and charitable recipients. The organization cultivates, manages, and distributes charitable gifts and grants primarily for the benefit of Montana communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$188.5M
+13.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.6M
+37.1% YoY
Grant Count
274
+26.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
+8.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
MCF's mission is to help shape Montana's future through giving and to cultivate a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish. The foundation focuses on:
- Education
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
- Human services
- Community development
The organization emphasizes permanent philanthropy, with the majority of gifts permanently endowed for long-term community benefit.
Grantmaking
MCF administers more than 1,988 philanthropic funds and planned gifts. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MCF funds primarily throughout Montana, with a statewide reach. The foundation has built a network of vetted organizations across Montana communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024 (07/01/24 - 06/30/25):
- Total Assets: $215.5 million
- Total Contributions: $19.5 million
- Funds Administered: 1,733
- Grants & Scholarships Distributed: $7 million
As of June 2024 Tax Filing:
- Total Assets: $188.5 million
- Total Liabilities: $24.8 million
- Total Revenue: $17.8 million
- Total Expenses: $14.8 million
- Employees: 22
Investment Performance (Annualized Returns, Ending December 31, 2024):
- 2024: 13.96%
- 3-Year: 4.79%
- 5-Year: 8.53%
- 10-Year: 7.63%
- All-Time: 8.24%
Investment Management: Cambridge Associates serves as the outsourced Chief Investment Officer, managing $166.5 million in investment pool assets as of December 31, 2024.
Historical Impact: Since its founding in 1988, MCF has reinvested more than $122 million in Montana through scholarships, grants, and programs.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $188,507,909 | $165,936,044 | $152,088,837 |
| Revenue | $17,794,838 | $15,011,185 | $26,836,919 |
| Expenses | $14,805,586 | $12,332,748 | $11,839,194 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,811,549 | $3,343,066 | $9,859,464 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
Open Grants
20 open opportunities from Montana Community Foundation Inc
Blaine County Community Foundation Fund Grant
MONTANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $500 - US $2,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Broadwater Community Foundation Grant
MONTANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $500 - US $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Broadwater County Development Corporation: Marketing Grant
MONTANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Up to US $500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boys and Girls Club Northern Cheyenne Nation ($130,347), Carter County Geological Society ($63,468), Bitterroot Early Learning Network ($55,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABSAROKEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ABSAROKEE, MT | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION | $21,394 |
| ACLU OF MONTANA FOUNDATION INC HELENA, MT | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION | $6,215 |
| ALBERTA BAIR THEATER CORPORATION BILLINGS, MT | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION | $45,196 |
| ALLIANCE FOR THE WILD ROCKIES HELENA, MT | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION | $9,337 |
| ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC CHICAGO, IL | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION | $13,687 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - MONTANA GREAT FALLS, MT | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION | $5,395 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN INSTITUTE BOZEMAN, MT | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION | $54,834 |
| AMERICAN PRAIRIE FOUNDATION BOZEMAN, MT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS BOONE, IA | EMERGENCY SUPPORT SERVICES | $6,000 |
| ANACONDA PCA FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER ANACONDA, MT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY RUTHERFORD | CEO/PRESIDENT | 40 | $213,532 |
| JESSICA STEWART-KUNTZ | VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $124,626 |
| KACIE TOLLEFSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $122,864 |
| CAMI SKINNER | BOARD CHAIR | 2 | — |
| TOM MCGREE | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| DAN MCLEAN | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| KAREN LATKA | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| KELLY BRUGGEMAN | PAST CHAIR (THRU 12/23) | 2 | — |
| ANGIE MAIN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JO ANN EDER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARY ANN PHIPPS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GREG HANSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TAWNYA RUPE MRAZ | DIRECTOR (THRU 12/23) | 2 | — |
| LEONARD SMITH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SHANE DOYLE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KENNY SMOKER JR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SHEILA RICE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DALE WOOLHISER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| COURTNEY SCOTT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SARA BECKER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KELLY CRESSWELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ALANNA WEIBERT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MACK CLAPP | DIRECTOR (THRU 07/23) | 2 | — |
Contact Information
Main Office: 33 S. Last Chance Gulch, Suite 2A Helena, MT 59601
Mailing Address: Montana Community Foundation PO Box 1145 Helena, MT 59624-1145
Phone: 406-443-8313 Fax: 406-442-0482 Email: info@mtcf.org Media Inquiries: rebecca@mtcf.org
Summer Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Montana Community Foundation Inc fund?
MCF's mission is to help shape Montana's future through giving and to cultivate a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish. The foundation focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy and voluntarism • Human services • Community development The organization emphasizes permanent philanthropy, with the majority of gifts permanently endowed for long-term community benefit.
How do I apply for a grant from Montana Community Foundation Inc?
MCF administers more than 1,988 philanthropic funds and planned gifts. Recent grant activity includes: • **2024-2025 Distribution**: $7 million in grants and scholarships distributed in fiscal year 2024 • **2025 Giving**: Record-breaking $10.5 million in giving in 2025 • **Community Responsive Fund**: Awarded $1.5 million in grants • **Typical Award Range**: $5,015 to $969,883 • **Active Opportunities**: 22 live grant opportunities available The foundation offers more than 60 available scholars…
Where does Montana Community Foundation Inc make grants?
MCF funds primarily throughout Montana, with a statewide reach. The foundation has built a network of vetted organizations across Montana communities.
What size grants does Montana Community Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Montana Community Foundation Inc awarded 274 grants totaling $6.6M — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Montana Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Montana Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0450150. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Montana Community Foundation Inc'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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