February 2021
Mary's Letter
Dear Friends,

March is one of the most exciting times of the year for the team at MCF. It’s partly because of the hint of spring in the air after a period of subzero temperatures, but more so we are excited about the impact generosity is having across our state this month.

Our team is preparing to distribute more than $3.7 million to nearly 700 nonprofit organizations across Montana early next week through our annual endowment distribution process. Every year, this process serves as a keen reminder of the many individuals and organizations committed to supporting the well-being and vitality of our state forever.

Additionally, in January, we processed over $1.2 million in grants to more than 170 organizations across Montana.  

I am also pleased to report great pooled endowment returns. Though we weathered a storm of investment market volatility throughout 2020, MCF’s pooled endowment portfolio realized an annual return of 14.3%.
 
As you know, we do not attempt to time the market. Our investment portfolio is constructed with a long-term view in mind. We are in it for the long haul because we are all about Montana’s future. Over time, the endowment policies and accompanying performance ensure the purchasing power is as powerful twenty years from now as they are today. 
 
Montana really is one small town with really long streets and a few stoplights, where neighbors are always willing to lend a hand. Montana isn’t just where we live, it’s our home. Thank you for all you do to support this place we love.

Sincerely,
Mary K. Rutherford
President & CEO
New Snowbird Fund Supports Community Searches for Missing Indigenous People in Montana
The Montana Community Foundation (MCF) announces the creation of a new fund to directly support community searches for missing Indigenous people in Montana.
 
The Snowbird Fund directly supports Montana Native families by providing immediate financial assistance to families or individuals leading the search for their missing loved ones in urban and reservation areas.

Direct payments of $500 will be made to individuals to offset the considerable expenses families incur while searching, at their own expense, for their loved one. Individuals can apply for funding online here. 

The Snowbird Fund was established at MCF by Montana businesswoman Whitney Williams. Williams recently opened the fund, the first of its kind in Montana, after hearing from, among others, a Crow tribal member, Grace Bulltail, whose 18-year-old niece was found murdered in Big Horn County in August 2019. Learn more and donate to the fund here.
Information about Annual Endowment Distributions
The annual endowment payout process is well underway as the MCF team gets ready to distribute more than $3.7 million to Montana organizations next week. Want to learn more about the process and what benefitting organizations can expect? Read on.
Grant Cycle to Support the Colstrip Community Opens March 1 
Grants from the Colstrip Impacts Foundation, a component fund of MCF, will be available starting March 1, 2021. Grants will support impacted workers and their families and further economic development in the Colstrip community. The Colstrip Impacts Foundation (CIF) was established at MCF in 2019 and is guided by a group of dedicated residents who are committed to serving the Colstrip community today, with a long-term view of how to positively impact the future of Colstrip. Learn more. 
More than $1 Million in Grants Awarded in January
In January, MCF distributed over $1.2 million to more than 170 nonprofit organizations throughout Montana. These grants supported a variety of causes throughout our state from arts and culture to conservation and food security.

One grant recipient, St. Vincent de Paul of Billings, is utilizing the grant funding they received from the SCL Health Montana Mission Fund to add case management to its list of services for the poor and homeless. St. Vincent de Paul will use the money to provide training and equipment to their current social service workers. “Our staff are already competent in short-term crisis resolution. By training them in long-term case management, we are equipping them to help those we serve navigate complex challenges,” says Jeanine Holt-Seavy, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul. “So many of our friends have mental and behavioral health issues that make even scheduling a doctor’s appointment challenging. Through regular meetings with a case manager, we can make those critical appointments as well as help them navigate the available community resources,” she added.
 
St. Vincent de Paul has received praise from the community for its role in serving the homeless through COVID-19. In the early days of the pandemic, options for food and clothing for the city’s homeless shrank. St. Vincent de Paul was able to rapidly expand their public meals and began operating on weekends resulting in 7,000 meals per month. Learn more on their website.
Organization Highlight: Walla Walla University Billings Mental Health Clinic 
The Walla Walla University Billings Mental Health Clinic on the Walla Walla University Billings Campus provides free counseling to the Billings community, and the surrounding area, as a part of the training and education for the Master of Social Work program. The mission of the clinic is to provide accessible, no-cost mental health services, as well as a clinical training environment for developing mental health practitioners. Learn more here.

Last fall, Walla Walla University Billings Mental Health Clinic received a grant from the SCL Montana Mission Fund at MCF to help with operational costs to keep the clinic up and running. The clinic was also able to use the funds to purchase subscriptions from companies like Therapy Notes for note-taking and scheduling and Great Calls for emergency buttons in the room for their clinicians.
Grant Deadlines
The Darby Town Community Endowment Fund competitive grant cycle closes March 5 so be sure to apply soon. Learn more at www.mtcf.org/grants.

The William B. Pratt Endowment Fund will accept applications for grants to benefit Montana indigenous, folk, traditional, and media arts until March 31. Learn more at www.mtcf.org/grants. 
Scholarship Deadline
This year, MCF will award approximately $450,000 for scholarships to well-deserving students. Don’t miss out! The deadline to apply for MCF scholarships is March 19. We have scholarships for students seeking all levels of advanced education from trade school to baccalaureate degrees and beyond. Learn more about our scholarships and their eligibility requirements at www.mtcf.org/scholarships/apply-for-a-scholarship.