Gathering Momentum

Local Leaders,

As fall settles in, all of us at the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) are reflecting on this season of growth for Local Community Foundations (LCFs) – a season where community foundations have truly been gathering momentum. This summer was marked by a surge of successful community events and fundraisers that not only fueled philanthropic growth but also brought people together. MCF staff had the opportunity to attend many of these, such as West Yellowstone Foundation’s “The Happening” and Absarokee Community Foundation’s “Hometown Heroes.” These events exemplified how community foundations are strengthening their communities, one gathering at a time. 

At the same time, other community foundations have secured impactful legacy gifts, such as the Powder River Community Endowment Fund’s remarkable $1.5 million estate gift to establish a scholarship in Eastern Montana. These legacy gifts are shaping the future, ensuring that community foundations can continue to build vibrant, thriving communities for generations to come. Several foundations have also launched new initiatives, including the Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County, which has stepped up to provide disaster relief funding for those impacted by the Remington Fire.

As we enter the final months of the year, we hope the momentum that has been gathered pushes you through any remaining goals, such as a final push for year one of the LCF+ Incentive Program: A Million Dollars for Montana. So far, community foundations have raised $737,766, which has amazed our team and Board Members. Some community foundations have hit their targets, while others are just shy of crossing the finish line. Wherever your community foundation stands, MCF is here to offer support, share ideas, or simply listen as you complete your final efforts.

In awe of all that you have accomplished this year,

Taylor Crowl
LCF, Program Officer
taylor@mtcf.org

P.S. Would you like to chat about your final push for the LCF+ Incentive Program? Please reach out so we can schedule some time with me or a member of our Philanthropy Team. 

Join Us in Northwest Montana!

Join us for the next LCF Convening and Rural Community Builder Summit in Libby on November 12-13! This is the second of our three regional gatherings this year, held in partnership with Montana Nonprofit Association and MSU Extension Community Vitality.

The event will kick off with a full day of sessions open to all nonprofits in the area, followed by a morning session exclusively for community foundations. Whether you are looking to strengthen your community foundation’s impact or network with other rural community builders, this is a great opportunity to connect and learn.

For questions, please reach out to Taylor at taylor@mtcf.org or (406) 603-4913. 

Register Now

Quarterly Webinars

This year, we will be hosting a webinar each quarter for LCFs. We have chosen a number of topics, ranging from fundraising to communications. We hope that staff, board members, or volunteers from your community foundation can join us!

“Gearing Up for Planned Giving” – Wednesday, November 19 at 12:00 pm

Is one of your goals for the “Giving Season” to secure a planned gift for your community foundation?

If so, join us to learn about how your community foundation can set itself up for success, and how our Philanthropy Team can help you with these endeavors.

Did you miss the other quarterly webinars? If so, you can catch up on them here:

• “Setting Up a Fundraising Plan”
• “Asking for a Gift in a Will or Estate Plan”
• “Easy-To-Use Marketing Tools”

Fall Investment Update

Are you curious to know more about how the assets in your community foundation’s endowment are invested? If so, check out the recording of the Fall Investment Update from MCF’s sletters, end-of-year giving, and asking in person for specific projects and campaigns.

LCFs in the News
 

Across Montana, LCFs are tackling countless projects – and many of them have received great news coverage for their hard work! Check out the articles below to see what other LCFs have been up to.

• Powder River Community Endowment Fund: “Community Endowment Fund Receives Donation From LeVeque Family Trust”
• Powell County Community Foundation: “Grants Available for Powell County Non-Profits”
• Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County: “Relief Efforts Underway to Support Producers Affected by Wildfires in Wyoming and Montana”

Want to see more about your local community foundation in the news? If so, please reach out to Taylor at taylor@mtcf.org or (406) 603-4913. We can brainstorm ways to promote your efforts, like writing press releases or pitching stories to your local newspaper.

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!

• MNA Ambassadors: If your LCF is interested in having an MNA Ambassador in your community, think about this opportunity for 2025. MNA Ambassadors provide capacity-building support to rural and under-resourced communities through local contract positions, with a focus on relationship building, resource distribution, and learning opportunities. Apply here. 
• Pilot Communities Tourism Grant Program: If your LCF is involved with developing tourism, Commerce’s new Pilot Communities Tourism Grant Program provides grants of $2.75 million for communities to build tourism resources, particularly in rural, tribal, and under-visited places. The grant cycle is open between November 1 – December 31, so now is a great time to strategize about whether this might be the right fit for your community.  
• Foundation for Montana History Grants: If your community is working on a historic preservation project, the Foundation for Montana History provides grants for up to $10,000. Their grant cycle opens in November, so check out their grant recipients to gather ideas.  

Give Now