Community Investment Program

Strengthening communities in Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon County

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The Community Investment Program (CIP) was established at the Montana Community Foundation by Grid United. CIP supports communities in Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon County, where Grid United’s North Plains Connector, a transmission line connecting U.S. eastern and western electric grids in Montana and North Dakota, will be located. Grid United is dedicated to partnering with these communities; as a result, CIP funds support innovative projects that enhance quality of life while strengthening communities in this corner of Eastern Montana.
 

The program is open, and CIP has two application cycles each year. In 2025, the first application deadline is Wednesday, May 1, and the second is Friday, November 1.

Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or government entity, such as a local government, tribal government, or school district. Non-501(c)(3) nonprofits may be eligible; please contact Taylor Crowl at (406) 603-4913 or taylor@mtcf.org to discuss eligibility. Individuals and for-profits are ineligible; however, individuals and for-profits may apply through a fiscal sponsor that is eligible. Applicants who have applied for previous grant cycles may apply for subsequent grant cycles for different phases of their project. Applicants do not need to be based in Rosebud, Custer, or Fallon County; however, grants must be used for projects benefiting communities in these counties. Only one application is allowed per organization.

Grants will be up to $50,000. For funding needs greater than $50,000, please contact Taylor Crowl at (406) 603-4913 or taylor@mtcf.org.

CIP will grant to projects that:

  • Have a broad impact on the quality of life for a significant number of people in Rosebud, Custer, or Fallon County.
  • Propose ways to address community issues and problems.
  • Leverage other sources of support.
  • Encourage others to get involved in addressing community needs.
  • Are creative in their approach to solving problems or capturing opportunities.
  • Are responsive to changing and emerging needs.
  • Support innovative approaches to economic and community development.

See the full guidelines here.

Ready to apply for funding?

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Grantees

Custer County Grants:

  • Organization: Custer County Firefighters Association
  • Overview: A rope rescue kit, which will allow firefighters to better serve the public, particularly for low-angle rescue emergencies.

  • Amount: $3,000

     

  • Organization: Custer County Food Bank
  • Overview: To remodel a storage room into a packaging room, allowing the food bank to accept and repackage additional donations.

  • Amount: $8,000 

     

  • Organization: Custer County Sheriff’s Office Protective Association
  • Overview: For search and rescue tracks for a UTV, which will enhance response times in challenging terrains.

  • Amount: $8,000

     

  • Organization: Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Overview: To complete two murals in downtown Miles City, increasing public art to attract both residents and visitors.
  • Amount: $25,000

Fallon County Grants:

  • Organization:  Baker Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture
  • Overview: For “Insight Baker,” a program that will use data to understand the 52,000 visitors in Baker each year and how local businesses can use this information.

  • Amount: $10,000

     

  • Organization: Elizabeth Scott Wellness Initiative
  • Overview: To replace the HVAC and plumbing and repair the roof of the Elizabeth Hospital building, which will be used to host wellness activities for the community.

  • Amount: $34,317

     

  • Organization: O’Fallon Historical Society
  • Overview: To purchase a trackless train, which will enhance the O’Fallon Historical Museum’s programming and be available at community events.

  • Amount: $27,367

     

  • Organization: Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team (SMART)
  • Overview: To conduct a preliminary architectural report on a historic building to determine whether it can be rehabilitated into a theater for Baker.
  • Amount: $29,546

Rosebud County Grants:

  • Organization: Schoolhouse History & Art Center
  • Overview: To restore flooring and replace siding on the historic building, which is an arts center offering exhibits, classes, and community events.

  • Amount: $50,000

     

  • Organization: Forsyth Golf Foundation
  • Overview: For landscaping at the Forsyth Golf Club, which will enhance the look of the golf course for visitors and community members.
  • Amount: $5,000

Custer County Grants:

  • Organization: Custer County Food Bank, Inc.
  • Overview: To purchase a transport van for the Custer County Food Bank. 

  • Amount: $14,022 

     

  • Organization: Custer County Sheriff’s Office Protective Association
  • Overview: To purchase PPE for the reserve unit of the Custer County Sheriff’s Office

  • Amount: $15,000 

     

  • Organization: Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Overview: For murals on buildings in downtown Miles City 

  • Amount: $10,000

     

  • Organization: Miles City Convent Keepers
  • Overview: To upgrade the electrical panel and wiring in the Miles City Convent Keepers

  • Amount: $10,000

     

  • Organization: Miles City Public Library
  • Overview: For interior upgrades, including flooring improvements.

  • Amount: $17,521

     

  • Organization: Miles City Wrestling Club
  • Overview: To install an air return system and sound dampening panels.

  • Amount: $10,000

     

  • Organization: Miles City Youth Baseball
  • Overview: To purchase and renovate a property into an indoor practice facility.

  • Amount: $15,000

     

  • Organization: Range Riders Museum
  • Overview: To remove and upgrade carpeting in the Range Riders Museum.

  • Amount: $10,000

     

  • Organization: Timberline Disc Golf Inc
  • Overview: To construct a disc golf course at Woodruff Park.
  • Amount: $20,000

Fallon County Grants:

  • Organization: Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture
  • Overview: To repaint the 3rd Street Spartan Feed between Highway 12 and Baker High School 

  • Amount: $2,210

     

  • Organization: Elizabeth Scott Wellness Initiative
  • Overview: To stabilize the foundation and replace the roof of the Elizabeth Hospital, so it can be used as a space for wellness education and practices for the community. 

  • Amount: $24,000

     

  • Organization: Eastern Montana Economic Development Authority
  • Overview:  For playground equipment for the Child Care Project, which will create 38 new licensed, affordable childcare slots in Fallon County. 

  • Amount: $35,800

     

  • Organization: Town of Plevna
  • Overview: To stabilize the one-room Sieler Schoolhouse and transport it to Plevna to be used as a museum and heritage center.
  • Amount: $6,300

Rosebud County Grants:

  • Organization: Forever Forsyth Inc
  • Overview: To complete a downtown master plan for Forsyth. 

  • Amount: $10,000

     

  • Organization: Forsyth Golf Foundation
  • Overview: To purchase a John Deere Rough Mower to efficiently mow the roughs. 

  • Amount: $14,500

     

  • Organization: Forsyth Public Schools
  • Overview: To purchase portable bleachers for Forsyth Public Schools. 

  • Amount: $23,130

     

  • Organization: Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks
  • Overview: To support Montana Shakespear in the Parks programming in Rosebud County.

  • Amount: $4,000

     

  • Organization: Rosebud County Search and Rescue
  • Overview: To purchase equipment for Rosebud County Search and Rescue.
  • Amount: $13,813

Rosebud County Grants:

  • Organization: Bicentennial Library of Colstrip
  • Overview: To purchase four hotspots and associated services for the Bicentennial Library in Colstrip, which is a branch of the Rosebud County Library.
  • Amount: $800

  • Organization: Northern Cheyenne Food Pantry
  • Overview: To purchase a vehicle, licensing and insurance, permits and fees for site preparation, and freezers for the Northern Cheyenne Food Pantry.
  • Amount: $19,500

  • Organization: St. Labre Indian School Educational Association
  • Overview: To purchase a commercial cafeteria serving lines for St. Labre.
  • Amount: $6,000

Custer County Grants:

  • Organization: Custer County Food Bank Inc
  • Overview: To replace the carpet, repair drywall, and repaint the shopping center area at the Custer County Food Bank.
  • Amount: $6,000

  • Organization: Keep Miles City Beautiful
  • Overview: Rehabilitation of the historic gazebo and storage shed at Riverside Park.
  • Amount: $18,068

  • Organization: Miles City Convent Keepers
  • Overview: To prep, scrap, and paint all the windows and install storm windows on the building.
  • Amount: $18,000

  • Organization: Bighorn Valley Health Center, Inc. dba One Health
  • Overview: To renovate the Milligan Building in downtown Miles City into a patient clinic. The patient clinic will incorporate a telemedicine hub and multidisciplinary clinical training program, along with integrated primary and preventative health care services (medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy).
  • Amount: $25,000

  • Organization: Outreach Clinic of Miles City
  • Overview: Car seats for Parenting Education Classes ($2,400), training for 6 instructors in the Healthy Relationship Education curriculum ($6,750).
  • Amount: $9,150

  • Organization: Range Riders Museum
  • Overview: Replace the roof on the main log building and entrance to the Range Riders Museum.
  • Amount: $17,145

  • Organization: Walleyes Unlimited of Montana (Miles City Chapter)
  • Overview: To purchase and install a restroom for the Hilleman Recreation Area.
  • Amount: $30,000

  • Organization: WaterWorks Art Museum
  • Overview: Concrete repair and new roofing for the Clean Water Well, a wing of the WaterWorks Art Museum.
  • Amount: $20,000.00

Fallon County Grants:

  • Organization: Baker Baseball Association
  • Overview: Upgrades to the lighting and heating in the new indoor practice facility.
  • Amount: $4,900

  • Organization: Eastern Montana Economic Development Authority
  • Overview: For a sound system for the little league baseball park.
  • Amount: $1,251.00

  • Organization: Friends of FMC Foundation
  • Overview: To purchase new equipment for the Fallon Medical Complex.
  • Amount: $15,512

  • Organization: Lakeview Ladies Association
  • Overview: To repair the patio area at the Lakeview Golf Course.
  • Amount: $25,000.00

  • Organization: O'Fallon Historical Society
  • Overview: To procure a Preliminary Architectural Report (PAR) for the O’Fallon Historical Museum.
  • Amount: $25,157.00

  • Organization: Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team
  • Overview: To establish a pocket park, and the only green space, in Baker’s downtown corridor.
  • Amount: $12,950.00

Rosebud County:

Custer County:

Fallon County:

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We're Here to Help

For additional help, questions or comments, contact Taylor Crowl, Community & Economic Vitality Program Officer.

406-603-4913 Email Taylor Crowl