Foundation News
Infinity: July 2026
July 22, 2026
July 2026
Letter from Mary, President and CEO
Dear Friends,
Last week, I had the joy of driving from Helena to Martinsdale to Billings to Colstrip to Bozeman to Three Forks and then home. What incredible landscapes we get to enjoy. Montana summers are the best! Throughout my travels, I was reminded that the beauty of our state extends far beyond its landscapes. It's found in the people who organize community celebrations, volunteer at local events, support their neighbors, and invest in the places they call home.
From rodeos and county fairs to concerts, festivals, and Main Street gatherings, summer is the season that showcases the strength and spirit of our communities. Behind so many of these moments is philanthropy: the generosity of people who give their time, talent, and resources to help Montana thrive.
This year, we’re excited to again host our Images that Shape Montana contest, an invitation to photographers and artists across the state to share how they see that philanthropic power in their communities. Last year was our inaugural contest, and we received stunning entries from talented artists across Montana who captured the spirit of generosity at work.
We're looking forward to seeing this year's submissions and the stories they'll tell about the people, places, and acts of generosity that shape our state. Whether you're behind a camera lens or a paintbrush, we hope you'll join us in celebrating how philanthropy strengthens Montana.
Show Us the Images that Shape Montana
Calling all artists and photographers: Montana Community Foundation has opened its Images that Shape Montana contest, an opportunity for you to share how you see philanthropy shaping our communities, landscapes, and future.
Submissions will be judged in four impact areas central to MCF’s mission:
- Education, Equity, & Culture
- Community & Economic Vitality
- Land & Resiliency
- Health & Well-being
The contest is open to Montana-based artists and photographers of all levels, ages 16 and up.
Acceptable mediums include photography, digital art, illustration, painting, and mixed media. There will be four category winners, each receiving $500. The grand-prize winner will receive $1,500 and will be featured in Montana Community Foundation’s annual Impact Report and on social media.
Last year’s grand-prize winner was Jordan Lefler for End the Silence, which was featured on the cover of our 2025 Impact Report. Jessica Bower won the Community & Economic Vitality category for her piece, New Pie. Andrew “AJ” Butler won the Education, Equity, & Culture category for his piece, Heart of Culture. Jordan Lefler also won the Health & Well-being category for his piece, Casting for Gold. Bulbul Majumder won the Land & Resiliency category for her piece, Plains Guardian.
The contest is open now, and the submission deadline is September 18. To learn more or to submit artwork, email communications@mtcf.org.
Same Face, New Place
Montana Community Foundation is happy to announce Camden Graves as our new Community Vitality Program Officer. Camden has been with MCF since January 2025 and has provided expert coordination for the President/CEO, the Board of Directors, and the executive staff for the last year and a half.
In her new role, Camden will ensure local community foundations, donors, and partners receive excellent service and support. She will also support nonprofits that have their endowments at Montana Community Foundation. She is a certified coach for the Community Heart & Soul program, where she helps small towns develop plans to help their communities thrive.
Camden received a Bachelor of Arts in History from King’s College London. She previously worked at Carroll College as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator in the Office of Institutional Advancement. She was also an AmeriCorps VISTA in Boulder (Montana) and worked for JW3 in London.
Reimagining Rural Next Step Grants Open
Applications are open for the Reimagining Rural Next Step Grants, offering eligible Montana communities an opportunity to turn local ideas into action.
Communities that previously participated in the Reimagining Rural Virtual Series and received a Reimagining Rural Seed Grant may apply for $7,500 to $10,000 to support projects focused on capacity building, business space rehabilitation, placemaking, or arts and culture.
Applications are due August 14. These grants are designed to help communities build on the momentum created through Reimagining Rural by investing in projects that strengthen local leadership, enhance downtowns, and create vibrant places to live and work. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and government entities, including schools.
Learn more about eligibility requirements and apply at the Reimagining Rural grants page.
How is the Economy Affecting Your Organization?
Let the Minneapolis Fed Know
The Montana Community Foundation is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis on a short survey to give local businesses a voice. Your response to this survey will help the Minneapolis Fed and its local partners understand the impact that the economy is having on your business.
Answers to these questions contribute to regional data that directly inform the Minneapolis Fed, local partners, policymakers, and others — a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours. Click here to take the survey.
Please complete this survey by Friday, July 31, 2026, to ensure that your experience is represented. All responses are confidential.
The Montana Community Foundation is excited to announce we’re hiring for two positions to join our team.
The first is a Philanthropy Officer to help strengthen philanthropy and support communities across Montana. This position can be based in Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, Jefferson, or Missoula counties, and is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships with donors, nonprofits, and community partners to create lasting impact.
The second is a Community Vitality Program Officer, preferably based in Yellowstone County. This position is part of the Impact Programs team and will provide support to local community foundations and nonprofit partners to help them thrive.
At MCF, you'll join a collaborative, mission-driven team committed to helping Montana thrive while enjoying competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth. Applications will be reviewed beginning July 27, 2026, for the Philanthropy Officer job and July 22, 2026, for the Community Vitality Program Officer.
