Montana Community Foundation awards $1.5 Million to organizations in Montana through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund 

The Montana Community Foundation administered and distributed $1.5 million in grants of up to $75,000 to Montana nonprofits.

In partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust, the Montana Community Foundation awarded $1.5 million in grants to Montana nonprofits through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund. The Montana Community Foundation was selected by the Otto Bremer Trust as a philanthropic intermediary partner to administer and distribute $1.5 million in funds for grants ranging from $10,000 - $75,000 to support Montana organizations that directly respond to immediate challenges and opportunities in the community.

“It is an honor to continue fulfilling the vision and mission set out by Otto Bremer 80 years ago to support organizations and causes throughout our region that are meeting the most critical needs of the community,” said Daniel Reardon, co-CEO and trustee, Otto Bremer Trust.

Grants were awarded to organizations with missions or program purposes that address relevant community priorities and align with the following funding priorities - Basic Needs, Community Asset Building, Health and Wellbeing, and Restorative and Emergency Responsive. MCF opened a pre-application for the program in March 2024. MCF received over 400 pre-applications, totaling over $21 million in requests from organizations across the state.  Seventy organizations were invited to apply, and thirty-six received funding, after review committees made up of experts in the field made recommendations, with final approval from the Otto Bremer Trust.

“We are honored to partner with Otto Bremer Trust in addressing Montana’s significant needs,” stated the Montana Community Foundation President & CEO, Mary Rutherford. “This opportunity allows us to make a real impact, but we recognize there is more to accomplish in helping communities thrive.”

A complete list of grants appears below.

• Arlee Community Development Corporation - $45,000 for general operations to provide support for a new Food Resource Center (FRC) Manager position & enhance administrative capacities for our Food Sovereignty initiatives tied to delivering the community's Basic Needs.
• Billings District Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - $50,000 for general operations to provide housing resources for Billings vulnerable populations. 
• Central Montana Community Cupboard – $10,000 to support a new “Food Security” project to sustain & increase the food supply to families & individuals in need and continued support to the general operating budget. 
• Custer County Food Bank, Inc - $10,000 for general operations to increase the capacity of basic needs to address food insecurity.
• Harvest Food Pantry Inc. - $10,000 for general operations to serve the food-insecure in our community and surrounding areas.
• Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, The Montana Coalition, Inc. - $35,000 for general operations and programming to serve Montana families, focusing on mothers and babies aged zero to three. 
• Helena Indian Alliance - $25,000 for general operations to advocate for and to responsibly serve the mental, physical, spiritual, and social welfare of the Native American population and the Helena community.
• Human Resource Development Council of District IX, Inc. - $50,000 for general operation and program support to overcome hunger, homelessness, and help combat the causes and conditions of poverty.
• Libby Food Pantry - $10,000 for general operation support to serve nutritious meals to those facing food insecurity. 
• Montana Continuum of Care Coalition - $30,000 for program support to provide housing and supportive services to serve homeless youth and young adults.
• North Valley Food Bank - $65,000 for general operating support to provide low-income community members facing food insecurity in northern Flathead County, Lincoln County and Glacier County in Montana.
• Ronan Bread Basket - $25,000 for general operating support for the communities of Ronan, Pablo, Charlo and Moiese to ensure local schools and vulnerable populations have access to fresh produce. 
• Shelter Solutions for Central Montana - $17,000 for general operating support to provide a sustainable, safe, seasonal warming center that meets the evolving needs of our community.
• Anaconda PCA Family Resource Center - $25,000 for general operating support for programs to strengthen individuals and support families to create safe and healthy homes.
• Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation - $50,000 for general program support for after-school and summer programming for youth to receive academic and social enrichment in three communities on the Northern Cheyenne reservation: Ashland, Busby and Lame Deer.
• Bridgercare - $50,000 for general program support comprehensive reproductive and related preventative healthcare and education in south central Montana.
• Butte Native Wellness Center - $50,000 for general program support for primary medical care, behavioral health care, substance use treatment, nutrition education, paid gym memberships, and transportation to Native Americans who live in Butte-Silver Bow, Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Madison, and Powell counties in Montana.
•  Fallon County Mental Health Council - $50,000 for general program support to promote and protect the health and well-being of our community through prevention, education, and innovation.
• Friends of the Children--Western Montana - $50,000 for general operating support to break generational cycles of poverty and trauma by empowering youth and caregivers who are facing the greatest obstacles through positive, one-to-one relationships with paid, professional mentors.
• Indian Family Health Clinic – $45,000 for program support to expand services to include behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, cancer care support, and more.
• Messengers for Health - $15,000 for general program support to address the health disparity of the lack of transportation, which is a major barrier for Crow people that prevents them from attending medical appointments.
• Salish Kootenai College - $25,000 for general program support to provide free access to behavioral health services for campus students, staff, and faculty.
• The Rural Behavioral Health Institute - $40,000 for general operating support to address youth suicide by establishing a school- based mental health system comprised of universal mental health screening and robust mental health services across MT.
• Evergreen Kids Corner Inc - $55,000 for general program support for accessible childcare in the Bitterroot Valley through a multifaceted approach aimed at building capacity, advocating for equality, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
• Helena Area Habitat for Humanity - $50,000 for general program support to complete 20-25 repairs in FY2025 with the goal of increasing production to complete at least 75 home repairs every year by the year 2030.
• Montana Childcare Resource and Referral Network - $75,000 for general program support for the “Shared Services” program, a community-asset building program that seeks to improve high quality childcare access by improving the sustainability and growth of existing and new childcare access.
• Neighborhood Housing Services Inc., NeighborWorks Great Falls - $50,000 for general program support to create strong neighborhoods and successful homeowners by developing and promoting quality affordable housing.
• The Peoples Partners for Community Development - $75,000 for general operating support to be a community development partner, serving the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, which provides financial opportunities for reservation residents for them to better determine their future build assets and become more self-sufficient.
• Winnett ACES, Inc - $25,000 for general operating support to strengthen our community by enhancing the health of our land, economy, and traditions for future generations.
• ASPEN Abuse Support & Prevention Education Network - $25,000 for general operating support for services, including emergency crisis services, legal services and violence prevention education. 
• FAST Blackfeet - $75,000 for general operating support, including emergency shelters, civil legal services, and individual counseling.
• Mountain Shadow Association - $75,000 for general operating support to support their mission to heal Apsáalooke families impacted by substance abuse, rebuild and strengthen parent-child bonds, and break the chains of intergenerational trauma by restoring families to healthy engagement with their culture and community.
• Native American Development Corporation - $61,000 for program support for the Client Assistance Fund to mitigate unforeseen, crisis and emergent financial hardships associated with basic living needs, health and wellness, and restorative and emergency responsiveness.
• SAFE Harbor - $30,000 for general operating support to provide a safe, nurturing, and healing environment to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence.
• Violence Free Crisis Line DBA Abbie Shelter - $61,000 to support general operations focusing on promoting safety, independence, and empowerment for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Flathead County. 
• Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Billings - $61,000 for general operating support to provide victims of abuse safe shelter, and affordable housing with transitional services.

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minn. Created in 1944 by business and community leader Otto Bremer, it is committed to supporting an enhanced quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Since its founding, Otto Bremer Trust has invested more than $1 billion in its region’s people, places, and opportunities.

For more information about Otto Bremer Trust, visit https://ottobremer.org.