Montana Healthcare Foundation
The Montana Healthcare Foundation is a private foundation based in Bozeman, Montana, that makes strategic investments to improve health in Montana. It provides funding, leadership, and expertise to help communities address health problems, and prioritizes people and communities at increased risk of poor health outcomes due to factors including income, geographic barriers, access to health and social services, and health disparities.
Montana Healthcare Foundation at a glance
In short: Montana Healthcare Foundation gave $5.2M across 162 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), mostly in Montana. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,168,456
- -7.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 162
- -16.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $31,904
- +10.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $283,925,399
- +13.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (17 of 88, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Montana (98% 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 Montana Healthcare Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts applications through its annual Call for Proposals; applicants should review the eligibility criteria and selection criteria and apply through the foundation’s application process. Its 2024 filing directs applicants to the foundation for application information, submission deadlines, and funding restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- The published Call for Proposals schedule lists applications due March 31, with funding decisions by June 15 and projects beginning July 1. The 2026 opportunity is stated to be closed.
- Deadline
- The published Call for Proposals schedule lists applications due March 31, with funding decisions by June 15 and…
- Next open deadline
- March 31, 2027 (Montana Healthcare Foundation Call for Proposals Grant)
- Contact
Application contact: Montana Healthcare Foundation
Mailing address: 777 E Main St Suite 201, Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 451-7060
Website: https://www.mthf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Montana Healthcare Foundation
Who Montana Healthcare Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Montana Public Health Institute ($400K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
665 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 458 grants of 665 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated work is focused on improving health in Montana. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Montana and 2% to recipients in California. The foundation says it seeks to support projects across the state, in both large and small communities, and may give preference to projects from organizations based in and serving rural and frontier communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 162 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Montana Healthcare Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 88 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $61K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $42K first-time, $42K repeat.
- 72% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $5.2M (2024) to $5.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 162 grants totaling $5.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Public Health Institute Kalispell, MT | Montana Public Health Institute Start up | $200,000 |
| Montana Public Health Institute Kalispell, MT | Montana Public Health Institute Start up | $200,000 |
| Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Health St Ignatius, MT | Reservation School Based Behavioral Health Services | $150,000 |
| Riverstone Health Billings, MT | School-Based Health Clinic Expansion | $150,000 |
| Helena Indian Alliance Helena, MT | Facility Improvements | $100,000 |
| Logan Health Foundation Kalispell, MT | School based health center (SBHC) st. Ignatius and charlo school districts | $100,000 |
| All Nations Health Center Missoula, MT | All Nations Roadmap to Success | $76,196 |
| Montana Budget and Policy Center Helena, MT | General Operating Funds | $75,000 |
| Marias Healthcare Services Inc Shelby, MT | Marias healthcare - school-based healthcare services in schools - Montana's golden triangle region | $71,570 |
| Marias Healthcare Services Inc Shelby, MT | Marias healthcare - school-based healthcare services in schools - Montana's golden triangle region | $71,570 |
Ready to take the next step with Montana Healthcare Foundation?
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 | $283,925,399 | $30,150,934 | $10,325,923 | $5,168,456 | 162 | $12,951,020 | $9,191,427 | $13,036,209 |
| 2023 | $249,811,431 | $8,046,337 | $11,780,656 | $5,580,939 | 193 | $12,412,960 | $9,248,432 | $11,798,964 |
| 2022 | $239,314,974 | $41,465,932 | $12,145,215 | $5,777,557 | 113 | $11,637,464 | $21,336,583 | $11,726,446 |
| 2021 | $254,936,905 | $24,073,505 | $10,606,490 | $5,505,337 | 102 | $9,170,060 | $11,295,096 | $11,214,487 |
| 2020 | $211,845,474 | $27,605,227 | $9,409,310 | $5,229,169 | 95 | — | $11,454,075 | $9,011,322 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Montana Healthcare Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated aim is to improve health in Montana. Its work includes direct programs, grant programs, strategic initiatives, policy analysis, research, partnership-building, convening, and technical assistance. Its strategic initiatives include strengthening American Indian health services, reducing American Indian health disparities, integrated behavioral health, the Meadowlark Initiative, the behavioral health continuum of care, and Medicaid and health policy.
The foundation’s 2024 grants included support for organizations working in public health, health care, behavioral health, and policy. For example, the Montana Public Health Institute describes its mission as strengthening Montana’s public health system through collaboration, leadership, and advancing health equity. All Nations Health Center says it promotes the health, education, and general welfare of Native Americans in Missoula and surrounding areas. Montana Budget and Policy Center describes its work as advancing responsible tax, budget, and economic policies through research and analysis.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 162 grants totaling $5,168,456. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $200,000, with a median of $25,000. Notable awards included $200,000 to the Montana Public Health Institute for start-up costs; $150,000 to Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Health for reservation school-based behavioral health services; $150,000 to RiverStone Health for school-based health clinic expansion; and $100,000 to Helena Indian Alliance for facility improvements. Other listed awards included $100,000 to Logan Health Foundation for school-based health centers in the St. Ignatius and Charlo school districts, and $76,196 to All Nations Health Center for its Roadmap to Success.
The annual Call for Proposals supports Montana-based organizations seeking to design and pilot innovative, Montana-grown responses to health challenges. The foundation also lists Rural Health Small Grants and the Mignon Waterman Award. For the Call for Proposals, planning grants are available up to $50,000, while implementation projects may receive up to $100,000; one-year projects may receive $10,000–$50,000. Eligible applicants include qualifying Montana-based charitable organizations, educational institutions, and state, tribal, or local government agencies, among other categories described in the eligibility criteria. The foundation’s criteria include the importance and unmet need addressed, sustainability, partnerships, service to at-risk populations, culturally appropriate design, feasibility, and geographic reach.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Paul Cook as chair, Gerald Gray as vice-chair, William Underriner as treasurer, Michael Harrington as secretary, and Judith Lapan and Joanne Pieper as trustees. Aaron Wernham is listed as CEO.
Montana Healthcare Foundation is led by Aaron Wernham, CEO on every filing since 2020; all 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Aaron Wernham
CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$268K (2020) → $342K (2024)
Paul Cook
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $36K (2024)
Joanne Pieper
Trustee
On filings since 2020
9 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $36K (2024)
Judith Lapan
Trustee
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $36K (2024)
Gerald Gray
Vice Chair
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $36K (2024)
Michael Harrington
Secretary
Chair → Trustee, 2022
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
7 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $36K (2024)
William Underriner
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
$24K (2020) → $36K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Denis Prager (2020–2023) — 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 $342K, to Aaron Wernham (CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Montana Healthcare Foundation
How much does Montana Healthcare Foundation give each year?
Montana Healthcare Foundation gave $5.2M across 162 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.6M across 193 grants.
What is Montana Healthcare Foundation's typical grant size?
Montana Healthcare Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $31,904, across 162 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Montana Healthcare Foundation that year got $61K on average.
Where does Montana Healthcare Foundation give grants?
Montana Healthcare Foundation gives mostly in Montana: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Helena, MT (19 grants), Billings, MT (17 grants), Great Falls, MT (17 grants) and Missoula, MT (14 grants).
Does Montana Healthcare Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Montana Healthcare Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 162) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Crow Tribal Finance Specialist - Medical Billing and Coding" (4 grants) and "Blackfeet Meadowlark Initiative" (3 grants).
Who are Montana Healthcare Foundation's largest grantees?
Montana Healthcare Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Montana Public Health Institute ($400,000 across 2 grants), Helena Indian Alliance ($212,500 across 5 grants) and Benefis Health System Foundation ($150,000 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Montana Healthcare Foundation?
Montana Healthcare Foundation reported $283.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Montana Healthcare Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated aim is to improve health in Montana. Its work includes direct programs, grant programs, strategic initiatives, policy analysis, research, partnership-building, convening, and technical assistance. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Montana Healthcare Foundation?
The foundation accepts applications through its annual Call for Proposals; applicants should review the eligibility criteria and selection criteria and apply through the foundation’s application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Montana Healthcare Foundation's EIN?
Montana Healthcare Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-6854005. 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Montana Healthcare Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Montana Healthcare Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/montana-healthcare-foundation-morg_14ba1106902540b7b1e4c0cb28db5b27
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_466854005_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Montana Healthcare Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/montana-healthcare-foundation-morg_14ba1106902540b7b1e4c0cb28db5b27},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Healthcare 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.
Montana Healthcare Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?