The Greater Montana Foundation
The Greater Montana Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Helena, Montana, established in 1959. The foundation was created by pioneer Montana broadcaster Ed Craney to support communication initiatives with an emphasis on electronic media. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and focuses on enhancing the quality of life in Montana through strategic investments in communication, education, arts, and culture.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.3M
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$360K
+4.4% YoY
Grant Count
20
-9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
+14.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Greater Montana Foundation's mission is stated as follows:
"The Greater Montana Foundation benefits the people of Montana by encouraging communication with an emphasis on electronic media on issues, trends and values of importance to present and future generations of Montanans."
The foundation prioritizes funding for programs that demonstrate alignment with this mission statement and can show commercial television and radio stations' intention to air the proposed programs. Special consideration is given to multi-part series written and produced to air within regularly-scheduled news and public affairs programs.
Primary focus areas include:
- Arts and culture
- Historical activities and historic preservation
- Education and higher education
- Communication media, with particular emphasis on radio
- Information and communications
Grantmaking
The Greater Montana Foundation offers two primary grant categories:
Review Cycle
April 1
Ready to take the next step with The Greater Montana Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates primarily in Montana, with documented funding activity in cities including Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula. The foundation also extends its reach to Oxnard, California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $8,305,828
- Total revenue: $596,921
- Total expenses: $497,636
- Total giving: $359,737
- Investments: $5.8 million
- Total liabilities: $1.37 million
Historical context (2023):
- Total assets: $8.23 million
- Revenue: $445,000
- Expenses: $471,000
The foundation has demonstrated relatively stable growth, with revenue increasing at an average rate of 4.4% annually over the past nine years.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,305,828 | $8,226,003 | $8,198,465 |
| Revenue | $596,921 | $444,764 | $347,597 |
| Expenses | $497,636 | $470,751 | $472,054 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $452,237 | $423,632 | $412,297 |
| Net Investment Income | $531,522 | $381,645 | $287,840 |
| Distributable Amount | $445,985 | $410,250 | $396,999 |
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
97 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Greater Montana Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Bruce Whittenberg serves as the foundation's executive director and is the only compensated member of the management team. The foundation is managed by a board of trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRODY CRANEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RONALD DAVIS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DARLENE CRANEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROB MCDONALD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JIM SENST | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| EDWIN JOHNSON | VICE CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| BOB HERMES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICK ROBINSON | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MONTY WALLIS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARY WILLMARTH | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| LINDA GRAY | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| LEO BERRY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SYDNI TANGARO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BRUCE WHITTENBERG | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 5 | $28,200 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Greater Montana Foundation announced 2025 grant awards and continues to accept applications for both general and commercial grants. The foundation has partnered with the Montana Broadcasters Association to co-sponsor debates for gubernatorial candidates, reflecting its ongoing commitment to supporting communication initiatives of importance to Montanans.
2025 Grant AwardsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Alta Sanders Irrev Trust Dtd 1809
BILLINGS, MT
Assets
$595K
Grants
2
Total Given
$27K
Redemption Farm Rescue
VICTOR, MT
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Humanities Montana
MISSOULA, MT
Assets
$425K
Grants
8
Total Given
$79K
Mary Alice Fortin Foundation for Youth
BILLINGS, MT
Assets
$263K
Grants
7
Total Given
$17K
Walter & Frances Green Charitable Trust
BILLINGS, MT
Assets
—
Grants
36
Total Given
$56K
Louise E Senft
GREAT FALLS, MT
Assets
$77K
Grants
3
Total Given
$5K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Greater Montana Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities