The High Stakes Foundation
The High Stakes Foundation is a private foundation based in Missoula, Montana. Its mission is to support visionary people and organizations leading changes that create a sustainable future for Montana. The foundation says it invests in solutions that foster resilient, interconnected communities, and its grantmaking focuses on systems change.
The High Stakes Foundation at a glance
In short: The High Stakes Foundation gave $1.1M across 62 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in Montana. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,125,337
- -42.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 62
- -26.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,151
- -21.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $2,450,128
- +121.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (15 of 61, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Montana (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The High Stakes Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants submit an LOI before a full proposal; the foundation says it will notify applicants within 30 days of the LOI deadline whether they are invited to submit a full proposal. Its 2024 filing lists a completed application form and grant proposal request as materials and names Mary Stranahan as the contact for applications.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists February 1–March 1 and August 1–September 1 as application windows, and identifies February 1–March 1, 2027, as the next spring LOI window. The foundation’s 2024 filing lists April 1 and September 1 deadlines.
- Deadline
- The website lists February 1–March 1 and August 1–September 1 as application windows, and identifies February 1–March…
- Contact
Application contact: Mary Stranahan
Mailing address: 129 W Alder, Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: (406) 726-2030
Website: https://highstakesfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The High Stakes Foundation
Who The High Stakes Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Missoula Interfaith Collaborative ($40K). Together the top 10 received $315K.
Grant Size Distribution
311 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 302 grants of 311 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission and funding priorities center on Montana. In 2025, 84% of grant dollars went to recipients in Montana; Colorado and Oregon each received 5%, while Virginia and Idaho each received 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 62 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The High Stakes Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 61 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 57% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $734K (2021) to $1.9M (2024). In 2025 it made 62 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula Interfaith Collaborative Missoula, MT | General Operations | $40,000 |
| Common Good Montana Missoula, MT | General Operations | $30,000 |
| MAPS Media Institute Hamilton, MT | General Operations | $30,000 |
| Montana Free Press Helena, MT | General Operations | $30,000 |
| Northern Plains Resource Council Billings, MT | General Operations | $30,000 |
| Prickly Pear Land Trust Helena, MT | General Operations | $30,000 |
| Seeley Lake Community Foundation Seeley Lake, MT | General Operations | $30,000 |
| Upper Seven Law Helena, MT | General Operations | $30,000 |
| Western Landowners Alliance Denver, CO | General Operations | $30,000 |
| Montana Wilderness Association dba Wild Montana Helena, MT | General Operations | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The High Stakes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,450,128 | $2,646,875 | $1,317,364 | $1,125,337 | 62 | $1,313,772 | $57,241 | $70,125 |
| 2024 | $1,107,272 | $73,090 | $2,189,538 | $1,944,938 | 84 | $2,172,763 | $64,108 | $81,408 |
| 2023 | $3,195,820 | $2,263,964 | $1,141,388 | $944,220 | 49 | $1,124,895 | $52,198 | $91,323 |
| 2022 | $1,930,030 | $1,064,364 | $1,336,627 | $1,155,300 | 63 | $1,316,156 | $45,603 | $103,788 |
| 2021 | $2,498,459 | $1,628,690 | $877,181 | $733,533 | 53 | $863,477 | $114,979 | $120,145 |
| 2020 | $1,682,618 | $1,173,998 | $1,167,973 | $1,032,850 | 59 | — | $162,790 | $66,110 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The High Stakes Foundation reported a distributable amount of $70K for 2025 — 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 mission is to support visionary people and organizations leading and implementing changes that create a sustainable future for Montana. Its funding areas are civic engagement, climate change, conservation, economic development, leadership, local food systems, social justice, and sustainability. It describes its priorities as supporting systems change and solutions that help make Montana more equitable, sustainable, and resilient.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Missoula Interfaith Collaborative says it builds relationships and action across differences to strengthen community and develop leaders. Montana Free Press describes its work as public-service journalism on state and community issues, while Upper Seven Law says it works to hold the powerful accountable and advocate for Montanans’ constitutional rights. Prickly Pear Land Trust says it works to connect people with west-central Montana’s landscapes and heritage through conservation.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 62 grants totaling $1,125,337. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $40,000, with a median of $20,000. Its website describes a typical grant as $10,000–$30,000 and says awards are no greater than 10% of an applicant’s budget. The listed 2025 grants were for general operations.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $40,000 to Missoula Interfaith Collaborative and $30,000 each to Common Good Montana, MAPS Media Institute, Montana Free Press, Northern Plains Resource Council, Prickly Pear Land Trust, Seeley Lake Community Foundation, Upper Seven Law, Western Landowners Alliance, and Montana Wilderness Association dba Wild Montana.
The foundation’s application information calls for an LOI before a full proposal. The website describes the next spring LOI window as February 1 through March 1, 2027, and gives February 1–March 1 and August 1–September 1 as its recurring application windows. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization or have a fiscal sponsor. Prior grantees are asked to submit a year-end program update before submitting an LOI. After five consecutive years of funding, an organization is asked to take a year off and secure one new funding source before applying again.
The foundation says it does not fund capital campaigns, government-mandated projects, political lobbying, general social service organizations, or litigation unless it supports the foundations of democracy. Its application information also lists research studies as excluded, but the available text is incomplete.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website identifies Mary Stranahan as founder and board member, Dawn McGee as president, Ann Quirk as program officer, Elke Govertsen as chief storyteller, and Molly Stranahan, Martha Newell, and Page Armstrong as board members. The 2025 filing lists Mary Stranahan as chair, Molly Stranahan as secretary/treasurer, and Martha Newell and Page Armstrong as directors.
The High Stakes Foundation is led by Mary Stranahan, Chair since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Stranahan
Chair
Director → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha Newell
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Page Armstrong
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Molly Stranahan
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Joel Solomon (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Crook (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dawn McGee (2020–2021) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The High Stakes Foundation
How much does The High Stakes Foundation give each year?
The High Stakes Foundation gave $1.1M across 62 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.9M across 84 grants.
What is The High Stakes Foundation's typical grant size?
The High Stakes Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $18,151, across 62 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The High Stakes Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does The High Stakes Foundation give grants?
The High Stakes Foundation gives mostly in Montana: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Missoula, MT (14 grants), Helena, MT (10 grants), Livingston, MT (3 grants) and Kalispell, MT (3 grants).
Does The High Stakes Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The High Stakes Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (62 of 62) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The High Stakes Foundation's largest grantees?
The High Stakes Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Missoula Interfaith Collaborative ($40,000), Montana Wilderness Association dba Wild Montana ($35,000 across 2 grants) and Common Good Montana ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The High Stakes Foundation?
The High Stakes Foundation reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $70K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The High Stakes Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support visionary people and organizations leading and implementing changes that create a sustainable future for Montana. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The High Stakes Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The High Stakes Foundation's EIN?
The High Stakes Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5815274. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The High Stakes Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 27, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The High Stakes Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The High Stakes Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-high-stakes-foundation-morg_e6d8dccd8b154a12b5998873d520e2f2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_205815274_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The High Stakes Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-high-stakes-foundation-morg_e6d8dccd8b154a12b5998873d520e2f2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 The High Stakes 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.
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