High Stakes Foundation Grant

The High Stakes Foundation Grant supports transformative initiatives in Montana, focusing on civic engagement, climate change solutions, economic development, and social justice. By providing general operating support to 501(c)(3) organizations, the foundation aims to empower leaders and strengthen local communities. With an emphasis on sustainability and preserving public lands, this grant cultivates a vibrant, interconnected society committed to the health and prosperity of Montana. Organizations interested in applying must submit a letter of inquiry before the full proposal.

NOTE: A letter of inquiry is required prior to submitting a full proposal. You will be notified within 30 days of the Letter of Inquiry deadline date whether your organization is invited to submit a full proposal.
About High Stakes Foundation
The High Stakes Foundation supports visionary people and organizations in Montana through grants and program related investments. We fund transformational ideas that promote equality, climate change solutions, economic development, local agriculture, sustainable communities, ecosystem preservation and leadership.
We primarily provide general operating support grants to dynamic mission-aligned change-makers.
Focus Areas
We support talented and skilled leaders and their organizations who are focused on:

• Civic Engagement
• We support change makers working to engage, inform and activate constituents in support of a vibrant, just democracy.
• Climate Change
• We support proactive solutions to protect the environment.
• Conservation
• We believe in conserving public lands for future generations.
• Economic Development
• We champion increased opportunity and robust, sustainable local economies.
• Leadership
• We encourage the next generation of Montana community leaders.
• Local Food Systems
• We support local food security in Montana.
• Social Justice
• We value a vibrant, informed democracy, and promote a just, equitable society.
• Sustainability
• We believe in reducing our footprint here in Montana and around the globe.
• Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Eligibility

An applicants must be an organization described in section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Activities supported by grants and program-related investments must be charitable, educational or scientific, as defined under the appropriate provisions of the U.S.Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations or fit the requirements for program related investments according to the IRS.The foundation monitors grants through regular financial and narrative reports submitted by the grantee.All grantees will enter a grant agreement with HSF.We usually provide General Operating Support.If you have received previous grants from High Stakes Foundation, we may ask that you take a year off from time to time to demonstrate your organization’s financial stability.

Ineligibility

High Stakes Foundation does not fund:

• Organizations that are NOT described as 501(c)3 non-profits;
• Capital campaigns
• ;Projects initiated or mandated by any order of government
• ;Political lobbying
• ;General social service organizations
• ;Litigation
• ;Research studies including species and habitat studies even if they fall within our climate change penumbra
• ;Religious organizations

;Hospitals or medical clinics.No grant award shall exceed 10% of an organization’s total budget.We support diverse fundraising and nonprofit resilience. If your organization has received funding from the High Stakes Foundation five consecutive years, we ask that you take a year off and secure one new funding source before applying again.