In Montana, fields stretch wide and community runs deep. We all hope to do well enough on the farm, at the office, or wherever our career takes us, to leave a little something behind. Of course, we want our families set up for success, but wouldn’t it be nice if we could also do something for our communities that gave us so much?

More than a century ago, Cleveland businessman Frederick H. Goff recognized the benefits of industrialization, but he also saw growing community needs — like education, housing, and public health — as philanthropy was becoming less impactful. 

He imagined a system where charitable gifts would be pooled into endowments to address community needs. In 1914, he established the Cleveland Foundation, leaving an indelible mark on giving in America. Today, there are more than 900 community foundations across the U.S. distributing billions of dollars each year. 

Community Foundation Week was created in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush to recognize and celebrate the work of community foundations and their collaborative, innovative approach to addressing local needs. 

In Montana, the impact of community foundations is profound. At the Montana Community Foundation, we manage 1,988 philanthropic funds and planned gifts, and since our founding in 1988, we have reinvested more than $122 million in Montana through scholarships, grants, and programs. We also work with 45 local community foundations that inject $1 million into their communities every year.

For many, when they think about foundations or philanthropy, they think of the Rockefellers and Carnegies, and in Montana, we think of the Washingtons. There is no doubt that these legacies are incredible, but community foundations give us all the opportunity to build a better future. 

There are many heart-warming examples of how a little bit can go a long way for communities and people who live there. The Elkhorn Community Foundation in Boulder bought new radios for the volunteer fire department. The Glendive Community Foundation funded a free seniors’ art class. Hill County supported the Havre Bike Rodeo, which trained over 50 kids in bike safety and provided free helmets. The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation provided 236,082 miles of public transportation to Carbon County residents, and the West Yellowstone Foundation has awarded a $20,000 scholarship to every local high school graduate. 

It’s remarkable what they are doing. 

In 2022, we completed a study on the resources for the future of Montana, which revealed a significant opportunity: an estimated $37 billion is expected to transition between generations by 2030. This presents us with a chance to gather and plant the seeds that will help our communities thrive. 

We realized that setting aside just 5% of this—around $1.85 billion—could create lasting endowments that generate $83 million annually for charitable organizations, schools, and local initiatives.

At the Montana Community Foundation, we are starting an effort called Strive for Five. If each of us leaves just 5% of our assets or estate to our community’s endowment, we can collectively make a meaningful and lasting impact, ensuring that our children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors flourish for generations to come.

This isn’t just about the wealthy. It’s about every one of us who has worked hard for their family and their community. This is about local business owners, teachers, and community leaders leaving a bit behind. 

Think about the places you love in your community or even the things you wish it had. With the support of community foundations and pooling our resources, we can ensure those places have the resources to grow and provide a brighter future across Montana.