The Montana Community Foundation – Then and Now |
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“Founded in 1988, on the eve of Montana’s second century, the Montana Community Foundation set out to write a new chapter in our state’s history: to provide a vehicle for giving, to help donors accomplish their charitable goals and to support other charitable organizations.”- Quote from MCF’s 1st Infinity newsletter (1992)
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Dear Friends,
We are so full of gratitude.
May officially marked 35 years since the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) was established by a group of Montanans who believed a statewide community foundation could have a positive and permanent impact in Montana.
Since then, we have seen the incredible impact philanthropy can have on Montana communities and beyond.
Your support and partnership over these last 35 years have enabled us to give out more than $100 million in grants, scholarships, and annual endowment distributions.
You’ve helped ensure that the causes and organizations Montanans care about receive reliable financial support, even after their most passionate advocates have passed on.
Together, we’ve cultivated generosity that makes a difference today, tomorrow, and forever.
THANK YOU!
We are grateful for your partnership and commitment to Montana.
Here’s to the next 35 years!
Sincerely,
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P.S. Fun fact! The very first newsletter produced by the Montana Community Foundation went out in June 1992. In it, MCF is described as a homegrown response to the philanthropic gap in our state’s history. |
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Montana Community Foundation, Where Giving Makes a Difference Today, Tomorrow, and Forever |
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Celebrating Around the State |
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This month, we kicked off our 35th-anniversary statewide celebration with parties in Helena, Red Lodge, and Glasgow. We enjoyed connecting with so many of you!
And the celebration continues this summer with parties in Missoula, Polson, Billings, and Bozeman. Hope you can join us! See the list of celebrations below and make sure to RSVP for one in your area.
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Local Community Foundation Convenings
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Then: One of MCF’s key strategies for building endowments, encouraging important local projects, and providing local grant resources was the creation of a network of Local Community Foundations (LCFs).
In 1992, the West Yellowstone Foundation was founded as the first affiliate of MCF through the generous support of Arne and Steffi Siegel. This would be the start of a network of LCFs across Montana.
Much of the initial support for LCFs came through the Ford Foundation’s Rural Initiative, which encouraged community foundations to play a role in improving the economic vitality of rural communities.
Ultimately this resulted in the network of LCFs in existence today. MCF’s LCF program has provided LCFs with technical assistance from MCF staff, challenge grants for endowment development, materials development, and statewide and sub-state meetings to build LCFs’ capacity.
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Now: In May, MCF staff traveled more than 1,200 miles across Montana to facilitate Local Community Foundation Convenings in Helena, Red Lodge, Glasgow, and online. The LCF Convenings offered the opportunity for LCF affiliates of MCF to connect with and learn from each other. We had 45 attendees from 13 local community foundations attend the gatherings.
The LCF Convenings, which were conducted over two days, included sessions on community development trends presented by MSU Extension, along with the unveiling of MCF’s updated Transfer of Wealth Study and LCF+ Incentive Program. The 2022 Transfer of Wealth study provides updated data projecting the estimated amount of wealth that will pass from one generation to the next in Montana over the next ten years. This transfer presents a tremendous opportunity for Montana-directed philanthropy. The LCF+ Incentive program will provide immediate financial support to Local Community Foundation Affiliates who raise additional funds for their unrestricted endowments over the next five years. From affordable housing to public transportation, LCFs are tackling critical issues in their communities. We feel reenergized after hearing about their hard work and optimism for their communities’ futures.
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Montana Charitable Endowment Tax Credit
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Then: MCF has been involved in advocating for the Montana Charitable Endowment Tax Credit (METC) since it was first established in 1997. As participants in the 1995 Governor’s Task Force on Endowed Philanthropy, established by then-Governor Marc Racicot, MCF helped to establish and maintain legislation to build endowments for Montana charitable organizations through a charitable endowment tax credit. The Montana Charitable Endowment Tax Credit provides a tax incentive for irrevocable planned gifts from individuals and outright contributions by eligible business entities to qualified endowments.
Now: During the 2023 Legislative Session, MCF was back at the Capitol, once again advocating for the Montana Charitable Endowment Tax Credit. Senator Greg Hertz of Polson introduced SB506 to increase the amount of the tax credit and eliminate the sunset date. On May 17, 2023, Governor Gianforte signed the bill into law. The bill increases the tax credit from $10,000 to $15,000 which may be claimed by a taxpayer for contributions made from all sources in a year. The changes to the credit will go into effect on January 1, 2024.
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Then: In July 1988, the Sweet Grass County High School Centennial Scholarship was established as the first scholarship at MCF. The fund provides annual scholarships to Sweet Grass County High School graduates.
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Now: We are thrilled to announce MCF has awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships to more than 200 Montana students attending college or technical school this fall! Each year, MCF awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $40,000 to deserving students across Montana. While qualifications for each scholarship vary, each student goes through a competitive application process to be considered. Some scholarships are renewable, meaning students may receive funding for multiple years. Learn more about the scholarships offered through MCF here.
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Then: In 1989, we released our first annual report. Ray Dore, Executive Director at the time, reported that “on December 31, 1988, four months after we began operations, our books contained two endowment funds totaling $16,720. On December 31, 1989, just twelve months later, we had nearly eighty endowment funds totaling almost $3 million. If this is not faith in Montana’s future, I don’t know what is.”
Now: As of December 31, 2022, MCF had more than 720 endowed funds totaling $130.8 million.
The 2022 Impact Report includes stories and highlights of MCF in 2022 and celebrates 35 years of serving Montana through philanthropy. Read the digital report here.
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The Montana Community Foundation's story begins in the 1980s and has continued for the last 35 years. Learn more about MCF’s history here.
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MCF Spring 2023 Investment Update with Cambridge Associates
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