The Oro y Plata Foundation is a private foundation established in 2002 and based in Kalispell, Montana. The foundation was created by local philanthropists Bruce Ennis and Margaret Davis. The name "Oro y Plata" is Spanish for "gold and silver," which is the state motto of Montana. The foundation operates as a family foundation with a small staff and takes a proactive, relationship-based approach to grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+1.7% YoY
Grant Count
84
-5.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+7.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to support selected, effective Montana-based programs dedicated to helping people in need of assistance enlarge their competencies and capacities.
The foundation operates according to specific guidelines:
- "Effective" programs are defined as those governed by a well-defined mission and regularly evaluated to determine whether activities achieve that mission
- All programs supported must demonstrate deep concern for their effectiveness
- The foundation favors programs primarily supported by the private sector rather than government revenues
- The foundation will not fund endowments or capital campaigns
- The foundation prefers not to fund historical societies, art centers, general hospitals, or theaters
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Health
- Housing
- Poverty alleviation
- Veterans support
- Workforce development
- Children and families
- Civic engagement
- Leadership development
- Community and economic development
- Hunger and food security
- Homelessness
- Native American issues
- Rural issues
- Women and girls
- Youth development
Grantmaking
The foundation provides general operating assistance to grantees, though it has also supported capacity-building efforts. It distributes several dozen unrestricted grants annually.
How to Apply
or website
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses exclusively on Montana-based programs.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024):
- Total assets: $2,569,077
- Total giving: $1,804,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boys Girls Club Northern Cheyenne N ($86,000), Families in Partnership ($70,000), Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Coun ($65,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF THE FLTHD RSRVTI RONAN, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $55,000 |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB NORTHERN CHEYENNE N LAME DEER, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $86,000 |
| CASA FOR KIDS - FLATHEAD COUNTY KALISPELL, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $45,000 |
| CASA FOR KIDS EASTERN MONTANA MILES CITY, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $40,000 |
| YWCA OF BILLINGS BILLINGS, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $40,000 |
| HOCKADAY MUSEUM OF ART KALISPELL, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $2,500 |
| NORTH VALLEY FOOD BANK INC WHITEFISH, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $6,000 |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS MONTANA GREAT FALLS, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $45,000 |
| WEST SHORE COMMUNITY LIBRARY LAKESIDE, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $1,500 |
| GARDINER FOOD PANTRY GARDINER, MT | GENERAL OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $7,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Foundation Manager: Felicia Ennis
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRUCE ENNIS | PRESIDENT/TREAS | 4 | — |
| MARGARET DAVIS | VICE PRES/SECRE | 1 | — |
| FELICIA ENNIS | Foundation Mana | 40 | $93,754 |
| JEAN AGATHER | Director | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains a low profile and does not actively publicize grant announcements. It is characterized as a "good low-profile funder" that makes several dozen grants annually but does not make itself easily accessible to grant seekers. The foundation requires patience when contacting staff due to its small team size.
$50,000 OREF/AAOS Injectable Orthobiologics of Knee Osteoarthritis GrantSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Oro Y Plata Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to support selected, effective Montana-based programs dedicated to helping people in need of assistance enlarge their competencies and capacities. The foundation operates according to specific guidelines: • "Effective" programs are defined as those governed by a well-defined mission and regularly evaluated to determine whether activities achieve that mission • All programs supported must demonstrate deep concern for their effectiveness • The foundation favors program…
How do I apply for a grant from Oro Y Plata Foundation?
The foundation provides general operating assistance to grantees, though it has also supported capacity-building efforts. It distributes several dozen unrestricted grants annually. **Grant characteristics:** • Typical award range: $1,000–$6,432,318 • The foundation does not maintain a formal application process or website • Prospective grantees are encouraged to contact staff directly or network with previous grantees for an introduction • Much of the foundation's support comes in the form of g…
Where does Oro Y Plata Foundation make grants?
The foundation focuses exclusively on Montana-based programs.
What size grants does Oro Y Plata Foundation award?
In 2024, Oro Y Plata Foundation awarded 84 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Oro Y Plata Foundation's EIN?
Oro Y Plata Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0512750. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Oro Y Plata Foundation'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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