June 2026

Letter from Heather Ohs, Gift & Estate Planning Director (Bozeman/Billings)

Dear Friends,

Of the more than 1,700 charitable funds held at Montana Community Foundation, one always comes to the top of my mind as Father’s Day approaches.

The F. Craig Barber Memorial Alpine Ski Scholarship Fund honors a father who didn't just tell his four daughters they could do anything — he enabled it. Craig encouraged Bevin, Megan, Tara, and Deedee to push themselves as athletes and believe in their abilities no matter what they did.

After Craig passed away three years ago, his daughters created something to outlast us all: a scholarship that sends young women down Montana's mountains with the wind at their backs and someone in their corner.

That's what philanthropy looks like at its best. Not a transaction, but a transformation, turning a loss into an enduring legacy.

This Father’s Day, I hope you’ll consider honoring the fathers and advocates in your life with a contribution to the F. Craig Barber Memorial Alpine Ski Scholarship Fund to help the next generation of Montana daughters thrive.

A Legacy on the Slopes

When F. Craig Barber's daughter Tara decided to jump out of the second-story hayloft door of their garage, he let her do it. She landed it, and he enrolled her in ski racing shortly after.

That was the ethos of Craig, who was an avid skier, professional adaptive ski instructor, and — most importantly to him — father to four daughters he encouraged and empowered to make their dreams a reality.

After Craig passed away in Bozeman in 2023, his daughters established the F. Craig Barber Memorial Alpine Ski Scholarship Fund to honor the encouragement he always gave his family and their shared lifelong love of skiing.

The fund provides annual scholarships to young women in the alpine ski program at the Bridger Ski Foundation, keeping Craig's belief in female athletes alive on the slopes of Montana.

As Craig's daughters wrote: "His spirit will delight in knowing that for many years to come female athletes will be supported through this scholarship fund."

Every gift helps a young woman push her limits on the mountain, just the way Craig always encouraged his daughters to do.

Read more about this year's scholarship recipient

Want to support young women in the alpine ski program? Here's how:

Make a grant from your Donor Advised Fund to support the F. Craig Barber Memorial Alpine Ski Scholarship Fund. To grant from your Donor Advised Fund, simply log in to your donor portal. Need assistance with making a grant recommendation on MCF’s fundholder portal? Contact Montana Community Foundation at info@mtcf.org.  

Give directly to the F. Craig Barber Memorial Alpine Ski Scholarship Fund at this link.

Montana Community Foundation (MCF) is looking for two rock stars to join our team in Helena to help us create a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish.

MCF offers a friendly, dynamic, and rewarding workplace, and we hire the best people around to create an environment that is fun, challenging, and leads to professional and personal growth.

Both positions are full-time with a competitive benefits package. Applications will be reviewed starting June 22, 2026.

Donor Services Coordinator: If you're detail-oriented and enjoy building relationships, this role is for you. You'll serve as a primary point of contact for donors, process gifts, manage donor records, and help ensure every interaction reflects MCF's commitment to exceptional service. 

Executive and Board Relations Coordinator: This is a high-impact role supporting MCF's President & CEO and Board of Directors. You'll coordinate board meetings, manage executive communications, and help advance the organization's priorities. 

Learn more and apply today