The Work That Lasts

Local Leaders,

As we move further into 2026, I’ve been thinking a lot about the quiet but powerful work happening across our local community foundations. Every day, in towns big and small across Montana, you are building something lasting — strengthening endowments, supporting local projects, and creating opportunities that may not exist otherwise.

One of the things I admire most about this network is how deeply rooted it is in the places you serve. Local community foundations don’t just respond to needs: they reflect the values, priorities, and hopes of the people who live there. That kind of work takes patience, trust, and long-term commitment. It may not always be flashy, but it is incredibly meaningful.

This spring also marks another important moment in Montana Community Foundation’s LCF+ Incentive Program. As we continue into the third year of this five-year initiative, it’s exciting to see the momentum building. New donors are stepping forward, communities are rallying around their endowments, and many of you are finding creative ways to tell the story of why local philanthropy matters. The growth we’re seeing is a testament to your leadership and the relationships you’ve built in your communities.

In the months ahead, we’ll continue sharing tools, updates, and opportunities to help support your work. My goal is always to make sure you have the information and resources you need to keep moving forward with confidence.

Thank you for the time, care, and leadership you bring to this work. It truly makes a difference for the communities you serve, and for Montana as a whole.

Warmly,

The Heart of Montana: Volunteerism Trends Across Our State

If there’s one thing we know to be true about Montana communities, it’s this: volunteerism isn’t just something we do, it’s who we are.

Across the state, local community foundations, nonprofits, and grassroots initiatives are powered largely by volunteers. And the data backs up what many of us see every day in our towns.

Read our blog post for more details about how volunteers power Montana's nonprofits and how you can help support their work while they support you.

Learning & Connection

Community Builder Summits

The Community Builder Summit is headed to Cut Bank on April 21. It’s a great opportunity to connect, learn, and bring fresh energy back to your community. Hosted with partners from the Montana Nonprofit Association and MSU Extension, this hands-on event will focus on storytelling, fundraising, and how to position your community for larger gifts. You’ll leave with practical tools, new connections, and ideas you can put to work right away. And registration is free for local community foundations, making this an easy one to say yes to. Register here.

The Community Builder Summit continues in White Sulphur Springs on May 5, providing another great chance to plug into fresh ideas and connect with fellow

 rural changemakers. This interactive, one-day event brings together local leaders to share impact stories, tackle rural challenges, and build skills in storytelling and fundraising. You’ll walk away with practical tools, new connections, and real momentum for your work back home. As always, local community foundation participants can attend at no cost. Sign up here.

Grounds for Conversation is our monthly “coffee hour” designed just for local community foundation folks. It’s a relaxed space to connect, ask questions, and share ideas with peers across the state. There’s no formal agenda, just good conversation and real-time problem-solving with people who get the work you’re doing. Join us on the fourth Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. and come as you are — coffee encouraged. Sign up for coffee hours here.

A Night for Tomorrow: The Jefferson Valley Gala

The Jefferson Valley Community Foundation invites you to A Night for Tomorrow: The Jefferson Valley Gala. An evening of community, generosity, and impact, this annual dinner and auction supports the foundation’s endowment and scholarship fund for non-traditional students pursuing trades education.

Over the years, proceeds and other donations from the JVCF Endowment Fund have resulted in more than $275,000 in grants awarded to more than 65 local nonprofit organizations in the community. This year, a generous donor has agreed to match up to $15,000 of gross proceeds, with all of the match dedicated to scholarships.

To keep the event community-focused, sponsorships begin with a $500 Community Builder Sponsorship, which includes dinner for eight guests. Additional sponsorship levels are available for those interested in providing additional support and advertising for their organization.

Join as a sponsor, donor, or both, and be part of a lasting effort to strengthen the community for generations to come. Learn more and sign up here.

Reimagining Rural Update

Reimagining Rural continues to be a powerful opportunity for communities to pause, reflect, and think creatively about what’s possible. This year’s Virtual Community Gathering: Groundwork brought together 20 communities from across Montana for three weeks of connection, learning, and back-to-basics conversations around grassroots community development, and the energy was incredible.

Communities that participated in the series are now eligible for Reimagining Rural seed grants, which will be awarded in mid-April. Even more exciting, thanks to continued support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, a new grant opportunity will open July 1 for participating communities, creating another pathway to turn ideas into action.

Stay tuned for more details in the coming months as this next phase of Reimagining Rural unfolds.

Celebrating Our Local Community Foundations

Across Montana, our local leaders continue to show what community looks like in action. In Choteau, Yve Bardwell and Corlene Martin of the Rocky Mountain Front Community Foundation played a key role in bringing this year’s Wild Wings Festival to life. It’s an event that celebrates the spectacular spring migration along the Rocky Mountain Front while drawing visitors and energy into the community.

Meanwhile, in Darby, the Darby Town Endowment Fund’s dedicated grantmaking committee gathered to thoughtfully invest back into their hometown, awarding more than $7,000 to local nonprofits. From creating vibrant community experiences to supporting essential grassroots work, these efforts are a powerful reminder of the care, pride, and generosity that define our rural communities.

Want to see more about your local community foundation in the news? If so, please reach out to Shyanne at shyanne@mtcf.org or (406) 230-2785 to brainstorm ways to promote your efforts, such as writing press releases and letters to the editor or pitching stories to your local newspaper. 

Celebrating Leadership: Carrie Coan Named 2026 Chamberlain Scholar

We’re proud to share that Carrie Coan, Executive Director of the West Yellowstone Foundation, one of our valued affiliate partners, has been named the 2026 Chamberlain Scholarship recipient by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Montana Chapter. This prestigious scholarship supports the professional growth of fundraising leaders by covering attendance at AFP ICON, the organization’s premier international conference.

Taking place April 26–28 in San Diego, AFP ICON brings together thousands of fundraisers from around the world for seve

ral days of learning, inspiration, and connection. With expert-led sessions and practical, real-world takeaways, it’s an incredible opportunity to strengthen skills and expand impact.

We’re thrilled to see Carrie recognized in this way and know she will bring valuable insights back to her community and the broader network of rural philanthropy across Montana.

Celebrating a Volunteer Champion: Patti Keebler

Congratulations to Patti Keebler of the Roberts Community Foundation on being recognized as a 2025 Volunteer Champion at the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation’s annual meeting. Patti, alongside her husband Steve, was honored for their meaningful contributions to building a resilient and connected community. Their dedication, generosity, and commitment to making a difference truly embody the spirit of local philanthropy. We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and the lasting impact they continue to make.

Resources and Opportunities 

Below are some resources and funding opportunities that may be of interest. Please feel free to share them with others in your community as well!

• Montana Nonprofit Association calls: Montana Nonprofit Association offers monthly member calls for rural nonprofits, executive directors, development, communications, finances, and more. For more information, visit the Learning - Montana Nonprofit Association page.
• The Montana Main Street Program supports communities working to revitalize their downtowns and strengthen local economies through placemaking and historic preservation. With access to technical assistance, planning tools, and a network of like-minded communities, Main Street helps local leaders turn ideas into action and build vibrant, resilient downtowns. Learn more here.
• The University of Montana’s Nonprofit Leadership Initiative offers practical training, research, and leadership development opportunities tailored to Montana’s nonprofit sector. From board development to emerging leader support, this program provides accessible tools and learning experiences to help strengthen organizations and those who lead them. Learn more here.

Available Grants at Montana Community Foundation

• Colstrip Impacts Foundation (Ongoing): Grants available to support impacted workers and their families in the Colstrip community.
• Community Investment Program (Ongoing): Grants to support communities in Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon counties.
• Community Responsive Fund (April 15, 2026 - May 18, 2026): Grants through Otto Bremer Trust for local organizations directly responding to immediate challenges in their communities.