Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project
WESTERN ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE is a public charity based in Billings, Montana. Its stated role is to support the charitable and educational activities of the Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC), including through grants to 501(c)(3) organizations and a restricted grant to WORC for organizing, education, training, and public-policy work.
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project at a glance
In short: Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project gave $5.8M across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $215K), mostly in Montana. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,816,842
- +12.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 27
- -3.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $215,439
- +16.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $80,000
- Total assets
- $7,154,184
- +8.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (5 of 27, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Montana (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project
- Contact
Mailing address: 220 S 27Th Street B, Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 252-9672
Website: https://worc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Western Organization of Resource Councils ($2.9M). Together the top 10 received $5.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
233 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 114 grants of 233 (49%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WORC’s member network is described as spanning eight western and high-plains states. The listed 2022 grants also include organizations based in North Dakota, Missouri, North Carolina, Kentucky, Colorado, West Virginia, and Alabama. These examples describe network reach and reported grantee locations; they do not establish an exclusive geographic focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 27 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $256K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $100K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $4.1M (2021) to $7.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $5.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Western Organization of Resource Councils Billings, MT | Funding for 501(C)(3) Charitable Activities Conducted by Worc | $2,949,164 |
| North Dakota Native Vote Mandan, ND | North Dakota Native Vote | $552,178 |
| Northern Plains Resource Council Billings, MT | General Support, Campaigns | $341,500 |
| Middle Fork Strategies Helena, MT | A Better Big Sky | $250,000 |
| Powder River Basin Resource Council Sheridan, WY | General Support, Campaigns | $200,000 |
| Dakota Resource Council Bismark, ND | General Support, Campaigns | $177,500 |
| Oregon Rural Action Lagrande, OR | General Support, Campaigns | $177,000 |
| Western Colorado Alliance Grand Junction, CO | General Support, Campaigns | $172,000 |
| Montana Women Vote Missoula, MT | A Better Big Sky | $142,000 |
| Dakota Rural Action Brookings, SD | General Support, Campaigns | $120,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,154,184 | $6,380,993 | $6,648,252 | $5,816,842 | 27 | $151,530 |
| 2023 | $6,610,243 | $7,146,397 | $6,255,137 | $5,172,176 | 28 | $274,955 |
| 2022 | $5,827,294 | $6,779,754 | $8,713,978 | $7,876,049 | 62 | $-1,463,167 |
| 2021 | $7,655,474 | $9,479,621 | $4,488,115 | $4,102,759 | 55 | $7,695 |
| 2020 | $2,904,165 | $5,689,552 | $5,281,468 | $4,965,938 | 61 | $4,662 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to support WORC’s charitable and educational activities within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its reported grantmaking has supported staff management and membership development, civic involvement, clean renewable energy, and responsible development of non-renewable energy resources. A restricted grant to WORC supported community organizing, public education, leadership and staff development, training, and public-policy programs.
Among the 2022 grantees, Dakota Resource Council described its mission as public research and education about agricultural and energy issues in North Dakota. Renew Missouri Advocates said it works to make Missouri a leading state for clean energy through advocacy and education. Appalachian Voices described its work as protecting the land, air, and water of central and southern Appalachia and advancing a just transition to a clean-energy economy. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the funder’s.
Grantmaking
In 2022, the organization reported 62 grants totaling $7,876,049. Listed recipients included Dakota Resource Council ($332,000), Renew Missouri Advocates ($222,500), Appalachian Voices ($213,500), Kentucky Coalition Inc. ($204,500), and Western Colorado Alliance ($173,500 and a separate $150,000 award). Other listed recipients were One Voice Inc. ($150,000) and People’s Justice Council ($150,000). The filing reported no grants in 2023 or 2024. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 27 grants totaling $5.8 million.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks as chair; Lynne Huskinson as vice chair; Norm Cimon as secretary/treasurer; and Dena Hoff, Carrie Seymour, Montana Wilson, Linda Weiss, and Jody Delong as directors. It also listed Sara Kendall as former executive director and Kerri Nelson Wolenetz as finance director.
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project is led by Deborah Love, Executive Director on the 2024 filing; none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Deborah Love
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks
Chair
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dena Hoff
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Weiss
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kerri Nelson Wolenetz
Finance Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Seymour
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jody Delong
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Montana Wilson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Norm Cimon
Secretary & Treasurer
Vice Chair → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sara Kendall
Executive Director Former
Executive Director → Executive Director Former, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynne Huskinson
Vice Chair
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Marielena Vega (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Charlene Alden (2023) — Director
- Former: Bob LeResche (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Andreya Krieves (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Christina Stucker-Gassi (2020–2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: John Smillie (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Joletta BirdBear (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Fitzpatrick (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Pat Smith (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Stacy Page (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Mitch Wolgamott (2020) — Board Member
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.
Frequently asked questions about Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project
How much does Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project give each year?
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project gave $5.8M across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.2M across 28 grants.
What is Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project's typical grant size?
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project's median grant in 2024 was $80,000, and its average grant was $215,439, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project that year got $35K on average.
Where does Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project give grants?
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project gives mostly in Montana: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Dakota (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Billings, MT (5 grants), Helena, MT (5 grants), Missoula, MT (3 grants) and Bismark, ND (2 grants).
Does Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project give general operating support?
Yes: 48% of Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 27) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Rural Power Coalition" (4 grants) and "A Better Big Sky" (4 grants).
Who are Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project's largest grantees?
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project's largest 2024 grantees include Western Organization of Resource Councils ($2,949,164), North Dakota Native Vote ($552,178) and Northern Plains Resource Council ($341,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project?
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project reported $7.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.4M.
What does Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to support WORC’s charitable and educational activities within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project?
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check worc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project's EIN?
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1123481. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/western-organization-of-resource-councils-education-project-morg_667475d3fb36438a928aa5a226660b10
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_841123481_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/western-organization-of-resource-councils-education-project-morg_667475d3fb36438a928aa5a226660b10},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Western Organization of Resource Councils Education Project'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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