This past spring, the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) launched the Montana Impact Investing Program, an innovative program aimed at delivering positive and measurable social impacts to local communities. With this unprecedented commitment, MCF will invest 5% of its total investable assets, equating to approximately $9 million, into Montana-based opportunities. 

The Montana Impact Investing Program seeks to achieve a meaningful impact that benefits Montana communities, leverage capital, and realize a positive return on investments to continue to reinvest in projects throughout the state. By channeling investment capital into initiatives that address some of Montana’s greatest challenges, this program aims to support long-term, meaningful change for all Montanans. This November, MCF made its first investments, with a focus on addressing affordable housing in Montana. 

Significant Partnerships for Meaningful Impact

In its inaugural year, MCF has partnered with two exceptional organizations: Native American Community Development Corporation Financial Services, Inc. (NACDC) and NeighborWorks Montana (NWMT). Each organization will receive $1 million in loans to amplify their community impact, specifically to support affordable housing

NACDC Financial Services, Inc. will use the funding to expand its Home Loan Program, focusing on affordable housing for Indigenous communities across Montana. Angie Main, Executive Director of NACDC, shared, “We are very pleased to receive this investment from MCF. This partnership will change the lives and quality of life for those Native Americans who obtain financing through NACDC Financial Services. Together we create the opportunity for homeownership dreams to come true.” 

The Federal Reserve reports Montana homeownership rates were 71% in 2023 and 68% in 2021. 2021 data from ProsperityNow.org, the homeownership rate in Montana stands at 70% for white owners, yet is only 51% for Native Americans. This disparity underscores the unique challenges Native communities face, particularly on reservations, where the inability to collateralize trust land makes obtaining a mortgage nearly impossible.

The challenges extend beyond reservations into urban areas. According to 2022 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data, the mortgage denial rate for Native Americans in Montana’s urban centers is 25.8%, more than double the rate for their White counterparts, which is 12.7%. These statistics reflect systemic barriers that limit access to stable housing for Native communities across the state.

NeighborWorks Montana will deploy their investment to advance diverse lending initiatives, such as down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and real estate development financing. NWMT’s goal is to grow its loan pool to $65 million by 2027, impacting families and preserving affordable housing across urban and rural Montana. Their focus on innovative homeownership pathways ensures greater access to safe, affordable homes. “The Montana Community Foundation's investment gives us a lot of flexibility to meet a range of housing needs across the state,” noted Kaia Peterson, Executive Director of NWMT. “Having MCF invest in this way is a real milestone for Montana impact investing, and we are so appreciative of their support in helping us provide housing solutions for all Montanans.”

“Impact investing allows us to leverage capital in ways that create measurable and lasting benefits for Montana communities,” said Mary Rutherford, President & CEO of the Montana Community Foundation. “We are excited to partner with organizations that are directly improving the quality of life for so many. This is just the beginning of our mission to bring meaningful change to Montanans.”

About the Montana Impact Investing Program

Through meaningful investments, the Montana Impact Investing Program at Montana Community Foundation seeks to support communities struggling with disinvestment including to rural places, tribal communities, or regions experiencing population loss. 

In 2024, MCF began the Impact Investing Program in a phased approach in order learn from our partners and ensure we were prepared to support organizations in need of investment. In 2025, MCF will continue to accept applications by an invitation only process. Eventually, the program will accept applications on a competitive basis. Over the next five years, MCF aims to invest a total of $9 million in impactful projects across Montana. With this commitment, MCF continues to fulfill its mission of unleashing charitable capital to foster vibrant and resilient communities.

For questions about the Montana Impact Investing Program, please contact Mary Rutherford, President & CEO at (406) 475-4609 or maryr@mtcf.org. To learn, please visit https://mtcf.org/impact/montana-impact-investing-program.