Missoula Community Foundation
/OVERVIEW: This funder supports Missoula, Montana-area nonprofits working in animal welfare, arts and culture, community/economic development, education, environment, health and human services, kids and youth, and organizational development and capacity building.
IP TAKE: Like many forward-thinking community foundations, MCF supports capacity-building efforts for local nonprofits. It will consider nearly any issue area, so pitch an idea for organizational leadership training.
PROFILE: The Missoula Community Foundation (MCF) is based in Missoula, Montana, and supports local philanthropy in the region. It seeks to “enhance community vitality by inspiring philanthropy and strengthening nonprofits.” It was established in 2001 as the Celebrate Missoula Community Foundation and as a Lee Enterprises and Missoulian project. After initially making small grants up to $2,000, the funder reorganized in 2007 and changed its name. Since then, MCF has controlled over $3 million in assets and partnered with the Western Montana Community Foundation to make grants. In a seven-year period, MCF gave approximately $135,000 to more than 60 projects.
Funding priorities include animal welfare, arts and culture, community/economic development, education, environment, health and human services, kids and youth, and organizational development and capacity building. In a past year, the foundation made over $8,000 in grants: those funds were divided between the Missoula Gives program, the Missoula Project for Nonprofit Excellence, Friends of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, the Roxy ReDeco Project to restore the classic Art Deco theater, and rehabilitation programs inside the Missoula County Jail.
Grantees include the Animal Food Bank, Brain Injury Alliance of Missoula, Missoula Community Chorus, the Clay Studio of Missoula, and Xtreme Sports 4 Veterans.
To apply for a grant, nonprofits should contact MCF at info@missoulacommunityfoundation.org. Current application guidelines can be found on the Apply for Funding page of the funder’s website. MCF also established a Youth Philanthropy Club to teach local youth about philanthropy and civic responsibility. A scholarship program helps Missoula-area high school students attend post-secondary schools as well.
Direct general questions to foundation staff at 406-926-2846. The mailing address is P.O. Box 8806, Missoula, Montana 59806. Keep up with the foundation at its news and events section.
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