The Gilman Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on scholarships and education-related endowments, primarily supporting K–12 and university scholarship funds for students in Butte and the surrounding region. It also provides smaller, targeted gifts to local health care and disability/hospice services, indicating a focus on community well‑being in their hometown. Repeat grants to a local education foundation suggest a preference for sustained support to familiar institutions.
James and Chloe Gilman Charitable Foundation Inc. gives heavily to education, with its largest recent grant going to the University of Oregon for an endowment scholarship. Scholarship support also reaches Butte Central Education Foundation and Butte High School, showing a consistent emphasis on student aid in Butte and beyond. The foundation’s recent records also include healthcare and hospice support, along with grants tied to veterans assistance, food and shelter, youth development, and local community facilities. Education funding appears in multiple forms, from endowment scholarships at universities to scholarship support for local schools. In the same period, the foundation backed St. James Healthcare Foundation for healthcare leadership and Easter Seals Goodwill for Highlands Hospice, indicating that its giving is not limited to classrooms. It also made smaller grants to organizations such as The Salvation Army, Wounded Warrior Project, and the Montana East-west Shrine Game, reflecting a broad set of community needs within a local giving pattern.
Scholarship endowments are central to this foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $35,000 to the University of Oregon for an endowment scholarship and $15,000 to the University of Montana for an endowment scholarship, alongside support for scholarship funds at Butte Central Education Foundation and Butte High School. In healthcare and hospice work, it awarded $25,000 to Easter Seals Goodwill for Highlands Hospice and $7,000 to St. James Healthcare Foundation for commitment to healthcare leadership. The foundation also supported community safety and basic needs through $6,000 to The Salvation Army for food and shelter and $5,000 to American Red Cross for emergency prevention/response. Youth and family-oriented grants also appear, including $5,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte for Bowl for Kids Sake and $5,000 to Silver Bow Youth Leaders for youth education agricultural focus.
Typical grant sizes are modest: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $4,500. The recent record shows a mix of larger scholarship and endowment gifts and many smaller local awards. The foundation funds individuals and appears to favor recurring support for some recipients, including repeated grants to Butte Central Education Foundation and Montana East-west Shrine Game across multiple years. Its giving is local, with 93% of grants going to recipients in Montana.
$245K
$4.9M
$420K
$258K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Relatively concentrated, mid-sized grants with repeat funding to local education partners; majority of dollars directed to scholarship/endowment purposes, with a smaller portion reserved for community health and service organizations.
Notable grantees: Butte Central Education Foundation, Butte High School, University of Oregon, University of Montana, St. James Healthcare Foundation
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly centered in Montana, with 93% of grants going to recipients in the state and Montana as the top state by grant count. Butte is the main recipient city, appearing across education, healthcare, veterans, and community grants. Other Montana locations in the recent list include Missoula, Bozeman, and Dillon, while one recent grant went to Eugene, Oregon. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The distribution is small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median grant is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $4,500. That pattern fits a local foundation making many modest awards alongside a smaller number of larger scholarship and endowment grants.
Its recent grants emphasize scholarships and educational endowments, especially for Butte-area students and higher education. The record also includes healthcare and hospice support, veterans assistance, food and shelter, youth development, and community-focused projects.
Yes. The records show repeated support for some recipients across years, including Butte Central Education Foundation and Montana East-west Shrine Game. That suggests the foundation often returns to familiar local institutions rather than making only one-time gifts.
Montana is the clear center of activity: 93% of grants go to recipients in the state, and Butte appears frequently across recent grants. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUTTE CENTRAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | BUTTE, MT | $20,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MONTANA EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME | BUTTE, MT | $6,000 | 2025 | TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE |
| SPIRIT OF COLUMBIA GARDENS CAROUSEL | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | SPIRIT OF COLUMBIA GARDENS CAROUSEL |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF BEAVERHEAD COUNTY | DILLON, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HOMELESS ANIMAL SHELTER/PROTECTION |
| SUNRISE KIWANIS CLUB OF BUTTE | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES |
| WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY | PULLMAN, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL ANIMAL HEALTH |
| BUTTE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HOT LUNCH PROGRAM |
| 4 PAWS RESCUE | CARDWELL, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HOMELESS ANIMAL SHELTER/PROTECTION |
| ALBERT'S ANGEL FUND | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HOMELESS ANIMAL SHELTER/PROTECTION |
| BUTTE RESCUE MISSION | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | FOOD & SHELTER FOR THE NEEDY |
| MATERNAL LIFE INTERNATIONAL | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | SAVE BIRTHS & SECURE FAMILIES |
| PAUL CLARK HOME | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HOUSING - NONLOCAL PATIENT FAMILIES |
| FRIENDS OF THE BUTTE ARCHIVES | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | PRESERVING BUTTE HISTORY |
| MONTANA GAELIC CULTURAL SOCIETY | MISSOULA, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | PROMOTE GAELIC CULTURE IN MONTANA |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF MONTANA | GREAT FALLS, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | SPONSOR STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOOD & SHELTER |
| WORLD MUSEUM OF MINING | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MINING MUSEUM |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | TOPEKA, KS | $5,000 | 2025 | HELP DISABLED VETERANS |
| TOYS FOR TOTS | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE GIFTS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES |
| PINTLER PETS | ANACONDA, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HOMELESS ANIMAL SHELTER/PROTECTION |
| CAMP MAK-A-DREAM | MISSOULA, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HELP CANCER PATIENTS |
| ST JAMES HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMITMENT TO HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP |
| RIALTO COMMUNITY THEATER INC | DEERLODGE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | REBUILD/RESTORE RIALTO THEATER |
| UNITED VETERANS COUNCIL | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | VETERANS NEEDING ASSISTANCE |
| BUTTE EDUCATION FOUNDATION | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO BUTTE SCHOOLS |
| WESTERN MONTANA MENTAL HEALTH CTR | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | ADULTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY |
| HOLY CROSS CEMETERY | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | CEMETERY UPKEEP |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY PREVENTION/RESPONSE |
| MONTANA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP |
| BUTTE SILVER BOW 4H | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | 4-H LIVESTOCK SALE |
| ST ANN'S PARISH | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | CHURCH DONATION |
| MINING CITY CHRISTMAS | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | FOOD & SHELTER FOR THE NEEDY |
| BAGDAD SHRINE TEMPLE | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE |
| BUTTE FAMILY YMCA | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | STRENGTHEN & IMPROVE COMMUNITY |
| BUTTE HEAD START | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HELP FAMILIES GROW EVERY DAY |
| BPOE LODGE 240 (ELKS) | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | NEW ROOF |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF BUTTE | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | BOWL FOR KIDS SAKE |
| BARRETTS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | DILLON, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMITMENT TO HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | RELAY FOR LIFE |
| SILVER BOW YOUTH LEADERS | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EDUCATION AGRICULTURAL FOCUS |
| FRIENDS OF THE MOTHER LODE THEATRE | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MOTHER LODE THEATRE |
| BUTTE FOOD BANK | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES |
| CONNECTING FOR THE CURE | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | ST JAMES CANCER FUND |
| EASTER SEALS GOODWILL - BUTTE | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | HIGHLANDS HOSPICE |
| UNITED WAY OF BUTTE | BUTTE, MT | $5,000 | 2025 | STRENGTHEN & IMPROVE COMMUNITY |
| SMILE TRAIN | WASHINGTON, DC | $4,000 | 2025 | OPERATION SMILE |
| MONTANA EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME | BUTTE, MT | $6,000 | 2024 | TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE |
| BUTTE CENTRAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | BUTTE, MT | $3,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BUTTE FOOD BANK | BUTTE, MT | $1,000 | 2024 | HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | BUTTE, MT | $1,000 | 2024 | RELAY FOR LIFE |
BUTTE CENTRAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$20,000SCHOLARSHIPS
MONTANA EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME
$6,000TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE
SPIRIT OF COLUMBIA GARDENS CAROUSEL
$5,000SPIRIT OF COLUMBIA GARDENS CAROUSEL
HUMANE SOCIETY OF BEAVERHEAD COUNTY
$5,000HOMELESS ANIMAL SHELTER/PROTECTION
SUNRISE KIWANIS CLUB OF BUTTE
$5,000HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
$5,000SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL ANIMAL HEALTH
BUTTE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$5,000HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
4 PAWS RESCUE
$5,000HOMELESS ANIMAL SHELTER/PROTECTION
ALBERT'S ANGEL FUND
$5,000HOMELESS ANIMAL SHELTER/PROTECTION
BUTTE RESCUE MISSION
$5,000FOOD & SHELTER FOR THE NEEDY
MATERNAL LIFE INTERNATIONAL
$5,000SAVE BIRTHS & SECURE FAMILIES
PAUL CLARK HOME
$5,000HOUSING - NONLOCAL PATIENT FAMILIES
FRIENDS OF THE BUTTE ARCHIVES
$5,000PRESERVING BUTTE HISTORY
MONTANA GAELIC CULTURAL SOCIETY
$5,000PROMOTE GAELIC CULTURE IN MONTANA
THE SALVATION ARMY
$5,000PROVIDE FOOD & SHELTER
WORLD MUSEUM OF MINING
$5,000SUPPORT MINING MUSEUM
TOYS FOR TOTS
$5,000PROVIDE GIFTS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES
PINTLER PETS
$5,000HOMELESS ANIMAL SHELTER/PROTECTION
ST JAMES HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$5,000COMMITMENT TO HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP
RIALTO COMMUNITY THEATER INC
$5,000REBUILD/RESTORE RIALTO THEATER
UNITED VETERANS COUNCIL
$5,000VETERANS NEEDING ASSISTANCE
BUTTE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$5,000ASSISTANCE TO BUTTE SCHOOLS
WESTERN MONTANA MENTAL HEALTH CTR
$5,000ADULTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY
HOLY CROSS CEMETERY
$5,000CEMETERY UPKEEP
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$5,000EMERGENCY PREVENTION/RESPONSE
MONTANA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
$5,000ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP
BUTTE SILVER BOW 4H
$5,0004-H LIVESTOCK SALE
ST ANN'S PARISH
$5,000CHURCH DONATION
MINING CITY CHRISTMAS
$5,000FOOD & SHELTER FOR THE NEEDY
BAGDAD SHRINE TEMPLE
$5,000TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE
BUTTE FAMILY YMCA
$5,000STRENGTHEN & IMPROVE COMMUNITY
BUTTE HEAD START
$5,000HELP FAMILIES GROW EVERY DAY
BPOE LODGE 240 (ELKS)
$5,000NEW ROOF
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF BUTTE
$5,000BOWL FOR KIDS SAKE
BARRETTS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$5,000COMMITMENT TO HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$5,000RELAY FOR LIFE
SILVER BOW YOUTH LEADERS
$5,000YOUTH EDUCATION AGRICULTURAL FOCUS
FRIENDS OF THE MOTHER LODE THEATRE
$5,000SUPPORT MOTHER LODE THEATRE
BUTTE FOOD BANK
$5,000HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES
CONNECTING FOR THE CURE
$5,000ST JAMES CANCER FUND
EASTER SEALS GOODWILL - BUTTE
$5,000HIGHLANDS HOSPICE
UNITED WAY OF BUTTE
$5,000STRENGTHEN & IMPROVE COMMUNITY
MONTANA EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME
$6,000TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE
BUTTE CENTRAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$3,000SCHOLARSHIPS
BUTTE FOOD BANK
$1,000HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$1,000RELAY FOR LIFE