The Hollensteiner Foundation concentrates its giving on services for children and on postsecondary education in its region. Major support goes to Montana higher-education institutions for student research and learning, and to organizations running camps and direct services for foster and abused children. Grants are focused and recurring, favoring a small set of regional nonprofits rather than broad national giving.
One of the clearest patterns in the James & Wanda Hollensteiner Foundation’s giving is repeated support for student research and learning in Montana, alongside long-running help for camps and clubs serving foster children. Montana State University in Bozeman appears multiple times at the $17,000 to $20,000 level, and Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell also receives support for student research and learning. On the youth side, Royal Family Kids Camp in Elgin, Illinois receives repeated grants for life-changing camps and clubs for foster children. The foundation also backs direct services for abused children, with Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota in St. Paul receiving grants in multiple years. Its recent awards show a mix of higher-education support, child-focused programming, and selected community or heritage organizations in Montana. The overall picture is of a funder that favors focused, recurring grants to a small set of organizations rather than a broad spread of one-time awards. Grants also reach conservation and local history groups in northwest Montana, but children’s services and postsecondary learning are the most consistent themes in the recent record.
In youth-development work, the foundation gave $20,000 in 2025 to Royal Family Kids Camp for life-changing camps and clubs for foster children, with additional support of $18,000 in 2024 and $18,000 in 2023. For child protection, Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota received $17,050 in 2025 and $12,000 in 2024 for abused children. Education is another core theme. Montana State University received $20,000 in 2024 and $17,000 in 2025 to support students’ research and learning, while Flathead Valley Community College received $20,000 in 2023 for the same purpose. The University of Montana Foundation also received $4,000 in 2023 for student research and learning. Beyond those areas, the foundation has funded conservation and local heritage, including $5,000 to Swan Valley Connections in 2025 and $5,000 to Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation in 2024 for trail repair and stewardship.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $500, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,125. That points to a pattern of many smaller awards with a smaller number of larger grants. The recent record also shows repeat support across multiple years for several recipients, including Montana State University, Royal Family Kids Camp, and Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its grants appear to be made directly to organizations, with a recurring emphasis on sustained support rather than isolated one-time gifts.
$353K
$4.5M
$204K
$371K
Most grants fall between $500 and $2K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$2K
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Concentrated, regional giving with repeat grants to a handful of core grantees; mid-sized awards that support programmatic activity (student research, camps, direct child services) rather than many small one-off gifts.
Notable grantees: Montana State University, Royal Family Kids Camp, Flathead Valley Community College, Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota
Grantmaking is national in scope, but it is heavily weighted toward Montana, which accounts for 43% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Recent Montana recipients include Bozeman, Kalispell, Hungry Horse, Helena, Missoula, Whitefish, Dayton, Rollins, and Condon. Outside Montana, named recipients include Elgin, Illinois; St. Paul and St. Cloud, Minnesota; Nashville, Tennessee; and Lexington, Kentucky. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided.
The recurring patterns point to postsecondary education, foster and abused children’s services, and selected conservation or local heritage organizations. Recent grants include support for student research and learning at Montana State University and Flathead Valley Community College, plus child-focused funding for Royal Family Kids Camp and Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota.
The giving is national, but Montana receives the largest share. Montana is the top state by grant count, and 43% of grants go to recipients in Montana. Recent Montana grantees include institutions in Bozeman, Kalispell, Helena, Missoula, Whitefish, Hungry Horse, Dayton, Rollins, and Condon.
The grant-size distribution is centered on relatively small awards: the 25th percentile is $500, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,125. Recent grants also show larger recurring awards in the $17,000 to $20,000 range for selected recurring recipients.
Yes. The recent record shows repeated support across years for several recipients. Montana State University appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Royal Family Kids Camp appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROLLINS FIRE FOUNDATION | ROLLINS, MT | $150,000 | 2026 | FIRE DEPARTMENT RENOVATION |
| FILM INDEPENDENT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,750 | 2026 | DIVERSIFYING THE FILM INDUSTRY |
| ROYAL FAMILY KIDS CAMP | NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | CAMP FOR KIDS IN FOSTER CARE/PROTECT |
| MSU MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES | BOZEMAN, MT | $10,000 | 2026 | MATH DEPARTMENT GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MSU EARTH SCIENCES | BOZEMAN, MT | $10,000 | 2026 | EARTH SCIENCE GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | WAUWATOSA, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | PROVIDES HOUSING FOR FAMILIES W/SICK |
| SAFE PASSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF MN | MINNETONKA, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | CHILD PROTECTION REFORM WELFARE SYTM |
| HOPE ON THE ROW | NASHVILLE, TN | $8,000 | 2026 | PROVIDING FOOD/CLOTHING FOR HOMELESS |
| MALARIA CONSORTIUM | HERMITAGE, PA | $5,700 | 2026 | IMPROVE HEALTH FOR MALARIA COMMUNITI |
| FLATHEAD FOOD BANK | KALISPELL, MT | $5,000 | 2026 | FOOD BANK |
| SWAN VALLEY CONNECTIONS | CONDON, MT | $5,000 | 2026 | CONSERV/STEWARDSHIP OF SWAN VALLEY |
| USNA HEAVYWEIGHT CREW | NAVAL ACADEMY, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF NAVY MEN'S ROWING TEAM |
| NATE CHUTE FOUNDATION | KALISPELL, MT | $5,000 | 2026 | SUICIDE PREVENTION |
| BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS FOUNDATION | WHITEFISH, MT | $5,000 | 2026 | CONNECTING PEOPLE TO WILD OUTDOORPLZ |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | KALISPELL, MT | $5,000 | 2026 | BUILDING HEALTHY/AFFORDABLE HOMES |
| SPARROW'S NEST | KALISPELL, MT | $5,000 | 2026 | TEEN HOMELESS SHELTER |
| CENTR FOR RESTORATIVE YOUTH JUSTICE | KALISPELL, MT | $5,000 | 2026 | JUVENILE REFORM/INTERVENTION |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN HOME | KALISPELL, MT | $5,000 | 2026 | ASSISTED LIVING FOR DISABLED ADULTS |
| PHEASANTS FOREVER | KALISPELL, MT | $4,000 | 2026 | IMPROVE HABITAT FOR PHEASANTS/QUAIL |
| WRIGHT-WAY RESCUE | MORTON GROVE, IL | $4,000 | 2026 | NO-KILL ANIMAL RESCUE |
| CALLING ALL CROWS | WELLESLEY, MA | $4,000 | 2026 | MUSIC FOR SOCIAL CHANGE |
| MICHAEL J FOX | NEW YORK, NY | $3,750 | 2026 | PARKINSON'S RESEARCH |
| CUMALI | KENILWORTH, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS IN CHICAGO |
| MONTANA LAND RELIANCE | HELENA, MT | $3,000 | 2026 | PROTECT AGRIC LANDS/WILDLIFE/FISH |
| LOPPET | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $2,950 | 2026 | SUPPORTS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES |
| WEST SHORE FOOD BANK | LAKESIDE, MT | $2,500 | 2026 | FOOD BANK |
| FLATHEAD LAKE BIOLOGICAL STATION | POLSON, MT | $2,500 | 2026 | FLATHEAD LAKE WATER HEALTH STUDY |
| AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER SKI FOUNDATION | HAYWARD, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | PROVIDES OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ALL YEAR |
| HEART LOCKER | KALISPELL, MT | $2,500 | 2026 | CLOTHING & FOOD FOR YOUTH IN NEED |
| FLATHEAD LAKERS | POLSON, MT | $2,500 | 2026 | WORKING FOR CLEAN WATER IN FLATHEAD |
| HARMONY WIDLIFE | NASHVILLE, MT | $2,500 | 2026 | WILDLIFE REHABILIATION |
| WEST SHORE COMMUNITY LIBRARY | LAKESIDE, MT | $2,500 | 2026 | PROVIDE BOOKS EDUC/CULTURAL/RECREATI |
| FLATHEAD LAKERS | POLSON, MT | $2,500 | 2026 | WORKING FOR CLEAN WATER IN FLATHEAD |
| PAWS | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2026 | ANIMAL SHELTER |
| MICHAEL J FOX | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | PARKINSON'S RESEARCH |
| FLATHEAD LAKE BIOLOGICAL STATION | POLSON, MT | $2,000 | 2026 | FLATHEAD LAKE WATER HEALTH STUDY |
| LOVELY VILLAGE | WACO, TX | $2,000 | 2026 | PROVIDES SAFE HOUSING FOR WOMEN |
| TROUT UNLIMITED | KALISPELL, MT | $2,000 | 2026 | PROTECT/RESTORE/SUSTAIN TROUT |
| SAFE PASSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF MN | MINNETONKA, MN | $1,750 | 2026 | CHILD PROTECTION REFORM WELFARE SYTM |
| PALACIOS PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION | PALACIOS, TX | $1,050 | 2026 | PRESERVE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE |
| KNICKER NORDIC SKI CLUB | WAUSAU, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT TEAM BIRKIE & YOUTH SKIING |
| HEARING AND SPEECH CENTER | LEXINGTON, KY | $1,000 | 2026 | HEARING AND SPEECH SCHOOL |
| LOPPET | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | SUPPORTS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL CARE OVERSEAS |
| MICHAEL J FOX | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | PARKINSON'S RESEARCH |
| ST JUDE'S | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2026 | PEDIATRIC MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| LAKESIDE QRU | LAKESIDE, MT | $1,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICE |
| SAFE PASSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF MN | MINNETONKA, MN | $1,000 | 2026 | CHILD PROTECTION REFORM WELFARE SYTM |
| UPPER SWAN VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIET | CONDON, MT | $1,000 | 2026 | PRESERVING HISTORY OF SWAN VALLEY |
| HEARING AND SPEECH CENTER | LEXINGTON, KY | $1,000 | 2026 | HEARING AND SPEECH SCHOOL |
ROLLINS FIRE FOUNDATION
$150,000FIRE DEPARTMENT RENOVATION
ROYAL FAMILY KIDS CAMP
$15,000CAMP FOR KIDS IN FOSTER CARE/PROTECT
MSU MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
$10,000MATH DEPARTMENT GENERAL SUPPORT
MSU EARTH SCIENCES
$10,000EARTH SCIENCE GENERAL SUPPORT
PROVIDES HOUSING FOR FAMILIES W/SICK
SAFE PASSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF MN
$10,000CHILD PROTECTION REFORM WELFARE SYTM
HOPE ON THE ROW
$8,000PROVIDING FOOD/CLOTHING FOR HOMELESS
FLATHEAD FOOD BANK
$5,000FOOD BANK
USNA HEAVYWEIGHT CREW
$5,000SUPPORT OF NAVY MEN'S ROWING TEAM
BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS FOUNDATION
$5,000CONNECTING PEOPLE TO WILD OUTDOORPLZ
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$5,000BUILDING HEALTHY/AFFORDABLE HOMES
SPARROW'S NEST
$5,000TEEN HOMELESS SHELTER
CENTR FOR RESTORATIVE YOUTH JUSTICE
$5,000JUVENILE REFORM/INTERVENTION
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN HOME
$5,000ASSISTED LIVING FOR DISABLED ADULTS
PHEASANTS FOREVER
$4,000IMPROVE HABITAT FOR PHEASANTS/QUAIL
WRIGHT-WAY RESCUE
$4,000NO-KILL ANIMAL RESCUE
CALLING ALL CROWS
$4,000MUSIC FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
MICHAEL J FOX
$3,750PARKINSON'S RESEARCH
CUMALI
$3,000SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS IN CHICAGO
LOPPET
$2,950SUPPORTS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
WEST SHORE FOOD BANK
$2,500FOOD BANK
FLATHEAD LAKE BIOLOGICAL STATION
$2,500FLATHEAD LAKE WATER HEALTH STUDY
HEART LOCKER
$2,500CLOTHING & FOOD FOR YOUTH IN NEED
FLATHEAD LAKERS
$2,500WORKING FOR CLEAN WATER IN FLATHEAD
HARMONY WIDLIFE
$2,500WILDLIFE REHABILIATION
WEST SHORE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$2,500PROVIDE BOOKS EDUC/CULTURAL/RECREATI
FLATHEAD LAKERS
$2,500WORKING FOR CLEAN WATER IN FLATHEAD
PAWS
$2,000ANIMAL SHELTER
MICHAEL J FOX
$2,000PARKINSON'S RESEARCH
FLATHEAD LAKE BIOLOGICAL STATION
$2,000FLATHEAD LAKE WATER HEALTH STUDY
LOVELY VILLAGE
$2,000PROVIDES SAFE HOUSING FOR WOMEN
TROUT UNLIMITED
$2,000PROTECT/RESTORE/SUSTAIN TROUT
SAFE PASSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF MN
$1,750CHILD PROTECTION REFORM WELFARE SYTM
PALACIOS PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION
$1,050PRESERVE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
KNICKER NORDIC SKI CLUB
$1,000SUPPORT TEAM BIRKIE & YOUTH SKIING
HEARING AND SPEECH CENTER
$1,000HEARING AND SPEECH SCHOOL
LOPPET
$1,000SUPPORTS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$1,000MEDICAL CARE OVERSEAS
MICHAEL J FOX
$1,000PARKINSON'S RESEARCH
ST JUDE'S
$1,000PEDIATRIC MEDICAL RESEARCH
LAKESIDE QRU
$1,000PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICE
SAFE PASSAGE FOR CHILDREN OF MN
$1,000CHILD PROTECTION REFORM WELFARE SYTM
UPPER SWAN VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIET
$1,000PRESERVING HISTORY OF SWAN VALLEY
HEARING AND SPEECH CENTER
$1,000HEARING AND SPEECH SCHOOL