NorthWestern Energy Community Works Grants

NorthWestern Energy Community Works Grants aim to enhance community well-being in Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The program supports qualified nonprofit organizations with monetary donations focused on education, health services, civic improvement, culture, and resource conservation. Since 2019, over $2.1 million has been contributed towards community projects. Eligible applicants must demonstrate tax-exempt status and proposals should favor funding for programs and physical improvements. National organizations and political activities are generally excluded.

NOTE: All applications will be considered as received. Applicants may expect a response within approximately twelve weeks (quarterly)
NorthWestern Energy is a community within many communities.
Our goal is to be a leading corporate citizen in each of the diverse communities we serve. In 2019, our Community Works Fund contributed more than $2.1 million in economic development, charitable donations and community sponsorships.
Grant Categories
NorthWestern Energy wants to make the communities it serves better places to live, work and prosper. We encourage qualified nonprofit organizations that operate within our service territory to apply for donations through our NorthWestern Energy Charitable Giving program. Our local committees review requests year-round and determine funding.
While we seek to support a wide range of community activities, donations will generally be made to those non-profit groups that have the greatest opportunity for positively affecting the communities we serve and are focused in one of the following categories:

• Education:

Education remains a primary focus of the company. Donations to education will primarily be made through university system foundations and scholarship programs. Donations will also be made in support of local colleges, and special primary and secondary education programs in the fields of science, technology, math, and youth leadership.
Health And Human Services:
Donations will be considered for organizations serving human needs such as the United Way, youth homes and special community health and safety needs. Donations will generally not be made to national health organizations or for medical equipment or research funds.
Civic And Community:

• Donations will be considered for civic improvement, special events, and youth and senior citizen organizations.
• Culture And The Arts::
• Donations will be considered for local museums, libraries, cultural centers and the performing arts.
• Resource Conservation::
• Donations will be considered for requests regarding environmental preservation including habitat, fish, and wildlife protection.

Eligibility

Qualified nonprofit organizations must submit an application or written request with proof of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code to be eligible for consideration.Donations should generally be monetary only. In limited instances, non-monetary gifts may be considered.

Ineligibility

Donations will not be made to national organizations, but may be made to local affiliates providing services within our communities.Donations will not be made to support political activities or organizations established to primarily influence legislationDonations will not be made to for religious purposes, although academic non-religious learning activities or sporting events provided at private schools may be consideredDonations will not be made to, or on behalf of, individualsDonations generally will not be made in support of fraternal, service, veteran, social groups or sporting events. These may be considered for discretionary giving.We will not fund multi-year requests.