August 2026

Letter from Mary, President and CEO

Dear Friends,

In Montana, we know the importance of looking ahead: stacking firewood before the first snow, topping off the gas tank before a summer road trip, and throwing an extra pair of socks in your hiking pack.

That same spirit of thoughtful planning is also at the heart of giving organizations like 100 Strong Billings. Its members each contribute $100 every quarter, pooling their giving to help fund significant investments in their community.

Planning can also help each of us make a lasting difference for the places that matter the most to us. August is Make-a-Will Month, an opportunity to put our wishes and values into writing. You don’t need extraordinary wealth to create an extraordinary legacy. Leaving just 5% of your estate to support the places and causes that matter most to you can help future generations thrive.

Whether it’s making a collective gift today or planning a charitable gift for the future, meaningful impact begins with intention. When we thoughtfully put our values into action, we help shape a stronger Montana for generations to come.

100 Strong Billings Nears $300,000 in Grants

In July, 100 Strong Billings, a nonprofit that harnesses the creative and charitable energy of women from diverse backgrounds, celebrated awarding nearly $300,000 for capital projects that enhance the lives of families in Billings.

Read more about their unique approach to charitable giving.

A New Set of Wheels

A Gallatin Valley group is driving conservation forward thanks to a new truck purchased with support from the Charles L. and Polly Anceney Gallatin Valley Fund.

Learn more about the fund here.

20 Years and $1 Million

The Community Foundation for Northern Rosebud County recently celebrated 20 years of community impact and surpassed $1 million raised for its endowments at the Montana Community Foundation.

Read about the milestone and see photos from the celebration here.

Colstrip Impacts Award Supports Small Business

The Colstrip Impacts Foundation recently awarded a grant to Cow Creek Bison Co. to help expand production and strengthen the growing business.

Learn more about the award and the upcoming grant cycle here.

Colstrip Impacts Foundation Grant Deadline Approaching

The Colstrip Impacts Foundation offers grants to support the local community, with funding available to eligible organizations and individuals in four areas: supplemental tax base, economic development, support for taxing districts, and direct assistance to impacted workers.

The quarterly grant deadline is September 30. Learn more about available grants and apply here.

Blaine County Community Foundation Fund Grant Cycle Is Open

Nonprofits and exempt governmental units can apply for grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 from the Blaine County Community Foundation Fund. Applications are due October 15.

Eligible projects must provide a direct benefit to local residents, be sustainable, and address important unmet needs. Ineligible projects include conferences, workshops, planning, research, untested projects, and partisan or sectarian activities.

The Blaine County Community Foundation Fund was established at the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) by Warren Ross in 1997. Financial support for this grant program also comes from the Ross 87 Ranch Endowment Fund, another fund established by Warren Ross.

Ready to apply? Use our online portal here.

Your Legacy Can Shape Montana's Future

August is Make-a-Will Month, a time to remember how one simple step can provide peace of mind for your family while creating a lasting impact on the causes you care about.

Nearly 70% of Montanans die without a will. Without one, state law determines how your assets are distributed, which may not reflect your wishes or the values you've spent a lifetime living.

After providing for the people you love, consider dedicating just 5% of your estate, retirement account, life insurance policy, or other assets to the charitable causes that have shaped your life. That small percentage can make an extraordinary difference for future generations of Montanans.

Whether your passion is strengthening rural communities, expanding educational opportunities, protecting Montana's landscapes, supporting healthcare, enriching the arts, or investing in your hometown, a charitable gift can ensure those values live on for years to come.

Your legacy is more than what you leave behind. It's the future you help create.

So Long, Heather

Heather Ohs, Montana Community Foundation’s Gift & Estate Planning Director for the Bozeman and Billings areas, is moving on to her next exciting opportunity after five impactful years.

Heather came to MCF with more than two decades of experience in the nonprofit and giving sectors.

“What drew me to Montana Community Foundation was the reputation for the really good work that staff tackles, from planned giving to the Montana Endowment Tax Credit, just the breadth of it and being a statewide organization that works with nonprofits, families, and professional advisors,” Heather said. 

She used her skills and openheartedness to help families develop lasting legacies honoring teens who passed away, including through the Landon Hull Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund, the Haiden Oakland Memorial Scholarship, and the Jadie Butterfly Memorial Fund.

“All of these kids were just at the cusp of young adulthood and starting their lives, and their families found a silver lining in keeping their legacies and impact alive through scholarships that honored the essence of who their loved one was,” Heather said. “ … It’s a privilege to get to work with them to create something that’s life-affirming and will last forever.”

Heather’s family also holds a fund at MCF, something she said has helped her understand the process to better guide others going through it.

“I really believe in order to be a great practitioner of philanthropy, there’s a lot of power in having experienced it yourself,” Heather said.

MCF thanks Heather on her time here and wishes her the best in her exciting new endeavor.

Three New Faces

Montana Community Foundation recently welcomed three new members to our team.

Jessica Jones joined the Montana Community Foundation earlier this year as Controller, bringing a strong background in financial leadership and reporting. In her role, she oversees the organization’s financial records and systems, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance. Prior to joining MCF, Jessica served as Financial Reporting Manager at Opportunity Bank of Montana. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Montana Technological University and later completed her Master of Business Administration at the University of Montana. Contact Jessica here.

Sara Hayter is MCF’s new Executive and Board Relations Coordinator. Sara grew up in Helena and graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in education. She worked for the Helena School District for 22 years and was with PacificSource Health Plans for three years. Sara and her husband have a 29-year-old son, a lovely daughter-in-law, and two very cute dogs. Sara can be reached here.

Olivia Klein is our new Donor Services Coordinator, a position created to support MCF’s donors and their charitable goals. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh, as well as a certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Before joining MCF, Olivia worked for the Montana Conservation Corps and in residential behavioral health. Drop Olivia a line here.

Montana Community Foundation is excited to announce we’re hiring for two positions. 

The first is a Grants and Accounts Payable Administrator. The position will assist in facilitating MCF’s grantmaking and scholarship operations, managing and monitoring all grants authorized by MCF and ensuring consistent grant processing.

The second is a Communications Specialist. The position is a key member of the Marketing and Communications department, and will focus on graphic design, creative production, and social media coordination.

In support of MCF’s mission, both positions are part of a team of professionals dedicated to growing philanthropy in Montana. Known for its collaborative, mission-driven culture, MCF offers a supportive workplace where employees are valued, encouraged to lead with integrity, and given the opportunity to make a meaningful statewide impact, along with competitive compensation and benefits.

Visit our Careers page to learn more or to apply