Montana Community Foundation Inc
Montana Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Helena, Montana. Founded in 1988, it builds permanent philanthropy across Montana by connecting donors and charitable recipients, and makes grants primarily for the benefit of Montana.
Montana Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Montana Community Foundation Inc gave $7.7M across 316 grants in 2025 (avg $25K), mostly in Montana. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $7,745,287
- +17.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 316
- +15.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $24,510
- +2.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,483
- Total assets
- $215,479,729
- +14.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (86 of 314, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Montana (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Montana Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Use the foundation’s funding-opportunity pages to identify a suitable opportunity and follow its application instructions in the online grant portal. Eligibility and requirements vary by program.
- Next open deadline
- October 15, 2026 (Blaine County Community Foundation Fund Grant)
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1145, Helena, MT 59624
Phone: (406) 443-8313
Website: https://mtcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
October 15, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Broadwater Community Foundation Grant
Montana Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $500 - US $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Broadwater County Development Corporation: Marketing Grant
Montana Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Montana Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Southeastern Montana Development Corporation ($442K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($81,561), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,198 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,069 grants of 1,198 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its charitable gifts and grants benefit Montana primarily. In 2025, 97% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Montana; the remaining listed shares went to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. (1% each), with California and Illinois each reported at 0%.
The Community Investment Program supports projects benefiting Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon Counties, as well as the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Applicants do not need to be based in those counties, but the grant-funded projects must benefit communities there.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 316 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Montana Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 86 of 314 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $14K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2018–2025). 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 2018 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.0M (2018) to $7.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 316 grants totaling $7.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Montana Development Corporation Colstrip, MT | Regional Business Development; Business Innovation | $441,900 |
| Sowers International Corona, MT | Joy Foundation Brazil Camp; Capital Campaign | $400,000 |
| West Yellowstone Foundation West Yellowstone, MT | Wolverine Care Fund; General Support; Annual Distribution | $252,806 |
| Montana State University Foundation Bozeman, MT | Travis atkins veteran support center; virtual program; annual distribution | $152,180 |
| University of Montana Foundation Missoula, MT | School of law; real co-lab; arts/media; autio fund; annual distribution | $127,356 |
| Schoolhouse History & Art Center Colstrip, MT | Repair/Replace Siding & Wood Flooring | $117,456 |
| Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies - the Montana Coalition Helena, MT | Mt Doula Collaborative; General Support | $106,048 |
| School Administrators of Montana Helena, MT | Community Schools Initiative; General Support; Annual Distribution | $103,087 |
| Elizabeth Scott Wellness Initiative Baker, MT | Hospital Building Repairs | $103,014 |
| Western Montana Creative Initiatives Missoula, MT | Open Air WMCI Support | $100,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Montana Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Figures below are from the foundation’s filings. Grant totals and counts reflect the reported grants for each filing year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $215,479,729 | $30,109,737 | $18,100,777 | $7,745,287 | 316 | $6,800,151 |
| 2024 | $188,507,909 | $17,794,838 | $14,805,586 | $6,571,703 | 274 | $2,811,549 |
| 2023 | $165,936,044 | $15,011,185 | $12,332,748 | $4,791,690 | 217 | $3,343,066 |
| 2022 | $152,088,837 | $26,836,919 | $11,839,194 | $5,283,340 | 208 | $9,859,464 |
| 2021 | $163,489,125 | $19,263,286 | $10,630,887 | $4,877,478 | 183 | $4,229,356 |
| 2020 | $124,041,175 | $24,837,343 | $8,433,188 | $3,079,174 | 184 | $3,835,596 |
| 2018 | $100,536,044 | $17,028,641 | $7,801,194 | $3,010,749 | 234 | $3,908,864 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to create a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish.” Its website describes four impact areas: education, equity and culture; community and economic vitality; land and resiliency; and health and well-being. The foundation says it supports these areas through grants, scholarships, local community foundations, resilience and disaster response, and impact investing.
Its 2025 grants included support for varied organizations and purposes. For example, Southeastern Montana Development Corporation received funding for regional business development and business innovation; Schoolhouse History & Art Center received funding for building repairs; and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies – The Montana Coalition received support for the Montana Doula Collaborative and general support. The grantees describe their own work in different terms: Southeastern Montana Development Corporation says it promotes economic development and diversification in southeastern Montana, while Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies says it works to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Montana families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 316 grants totaling $7,745,287. Grant amounts ranged from $5,163 to $441,900, with a median of $12,483. The largest listed award was $441,900 to Southeastern Montana Development Corporation for regional business development and business innovation. Other notable awards included $400,000 to Sowers International for the Joy Foundation Brazil Camp capital campaign; $252,806 to West Yellowstone Foundation for the Wolverine Care Fund, general support, and annual distribution; and $152,180 to Montana State University Foundation for the Travis Atkins Veteran Support Center, a virtual program, and annual distribution.
The foundation’s website lists grants through local community foundation affiliates and funding opportunities organized by impact area. Applicants can review open opportunities, select “Apply Now” on the opportunity page, and apply through the foundation’s online grant portal. Applicants can create an account, find the opportunity after logging in, and save an application to return to later. The website says the Community Investment Program accepts applications from eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities, with some non-501(c)(3) nonprofits potentially eligible; individuals and for-profits are ineligible unless applying through an eligible fiscal sponsor. For that program, grants are up to $50,000, and projects must benefit communities in Rosebud, Custer, or Fallon County. Its first 2026 deadline, May 1, has passed; the second deadline is November 1, 2026. The website also lists the Reimagining Rural – Next Steps Grants cycle for July 6 through August 14, which has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mary Rutherford as CEO/President, Jessica Stewart-Kuntz as Vice President, Kacie Tollefson as Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, and James Bennett as Gift & Estate Planning Director. Listed board officers include Tom McGree, Chair; Karen Latka, Vice Chair; Dan McLean, Treasurer; Sheila Rice, Secretary; and Cami Skinner, Past Chair. Jo Ann Eder is also listed as a director.
Montana Community Foundation Inc is led by Mary Rutherford, CEO & President on every filing since 2018; 4 of 27 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Rutherford
CEO & President
On filings since 2018
40 hrs/week
$170K (2018) → $222K (2025)
Tom McGree
Board Chair
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Bennett
Gift & Estate Planning Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Dale Woolhiser
Director
Board Chair → Past Board Chair, 2020
Past Board Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2018
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Hanson
Director
On filings since 2018
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jo Ann Eder
Director
On filings since 2018
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ann Phipps
Director
Director → Secretary, 2020
Secretary → Director, 2021
On filings since 2018
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leonard Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angie Main
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenny Smoker Jr.
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shane Doyle
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Scott
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alanna Weibert
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Cresswell
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Becker
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Curt Barnekoff
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Isern
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Valandra
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steffi Siegel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tod Kasten
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Cosgrove
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Stewart-Kuntz
Vice President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$89K (2021) → $131K (2025)
Kacie Tollefson - Executive
Vice President Finance & Administration
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$131K (2025)
Cami Skinner
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2018
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Latka
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2018
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan McLean
Treasurer
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheila Rice
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Kacie Tollefson (2018–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Kelly Bruggeman (2018–2024) — Past Chair
- Former: Mack Clapp (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Tawnya Rupe Mraz (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Ed Eck (2018–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Duane Kurokawa (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jon Rutt (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Laura Brehm (2018–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Tawnya Rupe (2018–2022) — Director
- Former: Bryson Pelc (2018–2021) — Director
- Former: Scott Pankratz (2018–2021) — Director
- Former: Barbara Byrne (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Casey Lozar (2018) — Director
- Former: Cindy Woods (2018) — Treasurer
- Former: Mary Craigle (2018) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2025. "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 $222K, to Mary Rutherford (CEO/President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Montana Community Foundation Inc
How much does Montana Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Montana Community Foundation Inc gave $7.7M across 316 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.6M across 274 grants.
What is Montana Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Montana Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $12,483, and its average grant was $24,510, across 316 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Montana Community Foundation Inc that year got $15K on average.
Where does Montana Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Montana Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Montana: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Helena, MT (46 grants), Billings, MT (38 grants), Missoula, MT (33 grants) and Bozeman, MT (25 grants).
Does Montana Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 30% of Montana Community Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (95 of 316) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Annual Distribution" (72 grants) and "Grants & Community Needs; Annual Distribution" (12 grants).
Who are Montana Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Montana Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Southeastern Montana Development Corporation ($441,900), Sowers International ($400,000) and West Yellowstone Foundation ($252,806), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($81,561), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Montana Community Foundation Inc?
Montana Community Foundation Inc reported $215.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $30.1M.
What does Montana Community Foundation Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to create a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish.” Its website describes four impact areas: education, equity and culture; community and economic vitality; land and resiliency; and health and well-being. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Montana Community Foundation Inc?
Use the foundation’s funding-opportunity pages to identify a suitable opportunity and follow its application instructions in the online grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2018–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS March 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2018–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Montana Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Montana Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/montana-community-foundation-inc-morg_7edba6d129c44cb8a17a38808fc0f9fc
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_810450150_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Montana Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/montana-community-foundation-inc-morg_7edba6d129c44cb8a17a38808fc0f9fc},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Montana Community Foundation 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.
Montana Community Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?