Our mission is to provide support to visionary people and organizations that are leading and implementing changes that create a sustainable future for Montana.
Focus Areas
Systems change work in MontanaGeneral operating supportEnvironmental protection and conservationRural economic developmentLeadership developmentLocal food securityDemocracy and civic engagementSocial justice
Funding Style
general operating supportunrestricted/core supportorganizational sustainability
Topics
About High Stakes Foundation
The High Stakes Foundation backs systems-change work for Montana, with general operating support showing up repeatedly in its recent grants. In the latest grant list, $100,000 went to Empower MT for general support, and $60,000 grants went to Mountain Mamas, MAPS Media Institute, Bitter Root Land Trust, Garden City Harvest, and other Montana organizations working across community, environment, and civic life. The foundation’s mission centers on support for visionary people and organizations leading changes that create a sustainable future for Montana, and that mission is reflected in grantees working on conservation, climate change, local food systems, social justice, leadership, and economic development. Recent awards also include support for Montana-based media and public-information groups such as Montana Free Press and Tiny News Collective, alongside land trusts, watershed groups, and community development organizations. The pattern is not limited to one issue area: the foundation funds both advocacy-oriented work and practical community infrastructure, often through unrestricted or general support. Its grantmaking is local in scope, with Montana receiving the clear majority of grants.
What High Stakes Foundation Funds
A clear thread in the portfolio is environmental and land-focused work. The foundation gave $50,000 to National Forest Foundation for general support, $48,000 to Climate Smart Missoula for general support, and $30,000 to Park County Environmental Council for general support, alongside support for land trusts and watershed organizations. Civic engagement and public information also appear in the recent record: Montana Free Press received $30,000 in 2024 and again $30,000 in 2025, while Thunderheart Media Inc received $30,000 for general support. Local food and community resilience are another visible theme. Community Food and Agriculture Coalition received $38,000 in 2023 and $32,500 in 2024 for general support, and Garden City Harvest received $60,000 in 2025 for general support. The foundation also funds leadership and community capacity, including a $40,000 grant to Western Native Voice for general support.
How High Stakes Foundation Gives
Typical awards cluster in the five-figure range: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $20,000, and p75 is $25,325. Recent grantmaking includes larger general-support awards above that band, such as $100,000 and multiple $60,000 grants, alongside repeated $30,000 grants. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF and does not make program-related investments. Recipients appear across multiple years, including organizations funded in both 2024 and 2025, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off awards. Several active grant programs accept unsolicited applications, including Economic Development Grants, Civic Engagement Grants, Social Justice Grants, Leadership Grants, Sustainability Grants, and General Grants with an LOI process.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$1.1M
Total Assets
$2.5M
Total Revenue
$2.6M
Total Expenses
$1.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$25K
Geographic Reach
Local11 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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general nonprofit supportcore operations fundingorganizational capacity strengthening
Where High Stakes Foundation Makes Grants
Grantmaking is concentrated in Montana, which accounts for 89% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Missoula appears often, including grants to Empower MT, Garden City Harvest, Climate Smart Missoula, Montana World Affairs Council, and the University of Montana Foundation - EVST. Other Montana cities in the recent list include Bozeman, Hamilton, Helena, Billings, Livingston, Whitefish, Arlee, and Gallatin Gateway. Outside the state, the recent list includes recipients in California and Illinois, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Frequently Asked Questions About High Stakes Foundation
What kinds of organizations does The High Stakes Foundation fund?
Its recent grants center on Montana nonprofits working in systems change, conservation, climate change, civic engagement, social justice, leadership, economic development, local food systems, and sustainability. The active program list also includes priorities like environmental protection, rural economic development, and democracy and civic engagement.
Does The High Stakes Foundation support general operating costs?
Yes. General support is a major part of the portfolio, and the active grant programs include competitive general operating grants and LOI cycles. Recent awards include general support grants at $100,000, $60,000, $50,000, $48,000, and multiple $30,000 awards.
How large are typical grants?
The typical grant-size distribution is p25 at $10,000, median at $20,000, and p75 at $25,325. The recent grant list also shows larger awards, including a $100,000 grant and several $60,000 grants.
Can organizations apply without being invited?
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Economic Development Grants, Civic Engagement Grants, Social Justice Grants, Leadership Grants, Sustainability Grants, and General Grants through LOI cycles.
Where does The High Stakes Foundation give most often?
Its giving is local and heavily concentrated in Montana. Montana is the top state by grant count, and 89% of grants go to recipients in Montana.
Latest 990 Filing
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Recent Grants
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
Recipient
Location
Amount
Year
Purpose
Missoula Interfaith Collaborative
Missoula, MT
$40,000
2026
General Operations
Upper Seven Law
Helena, MT
$30,000
2026
General Operations
Montana Wilderness Association dba Wild Montana
Helena, MT
$30,000
2026
General Operations
Montana Free Press
Helena, MT
$30,000
2026
General Operations
Western Landowners Alliance
Denver, CO
$30,000
2026
General Operations
Seeley Lake Community Foundation
Seeley Lake, MT
$30,000
2026
General Operations
Prickly Pear Land Trust
Helena, MT
$30,000
2026
General Operations
MAPS Media Institute
Hamilton, MT
$30,000
2026
General Operations
Northern Plains Resource Council
Billings, MT
$30,000
2026
General Operations
Common Good Montana
Missoula, MT
$30,000
2026
General Operations
Nature Conservancy
Arlington, VA
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Montana Budget and Policy Center
Helena, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Code Girls United
Kalispell, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Producers Partnership Inc
Livingston, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
The Pulp
Missoula, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
Golden, CO
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Mainstreet Uptown Butte
Butte, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Neighborworks Montana
Great Falls, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Our Childrens Trust
Eugene, OR
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education
Billings, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation (MIST)
Missoula, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Community Food and Agriculture Coalition
Missoula, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Montana Freshwater Partners
Livingston, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Montana Watershed Coordination Council
Helena, MT
$25,000
2026
General Operations
Montana Two Spirit Society
Missoula, MT
$20,000
2026
General Operations
Women in Ranching
Cohagen, MT
$20,000
2026
General Operations
Montana Conservation Corps
Bozeman, MT
$20,000
2026
General Operations
Park County Community Foundation
Livingston, MT
$20,000
2026
General Operations
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Washington, DC
$20,000
2026
General Operations
Western Enviromental Law Center
Eugene, OR
$20,000
2026
General Operations
Red Lodge Area Community Foundation
Red Lodge, MT
$20,000
2026
General Operations
Big Hole Watershed Committee
Divide, MT
$20,000
2026
General Operations
Winnett ACES
Winnett, MT
$20,000
2026
General Operations
ACLU Montana
Missoula, MT
$20,000
2026
General Operations
Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance
East Glacier Park, MT
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Home Resource
Missoula, MT
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund
Helena, MT
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Missoula Urban Demonstration Project
Missoula, MT
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Friends of Montana PBS Inc
Bozeman, MT
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Red Ants Pants Foundation
White Sulphur Springs, MT
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Vibrant Lives of Montana
Dillon, MT
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Friends of Scotchman Peaks
Sandpoint, ID
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Trust Montana
Missoula, MT
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Yaak Valley Forest Council
Troy, MT
$15,000
2026
General Operations
Families for a Livable Climate
Missoula, MT
$13,500
2026
General Operations
Glacier Queer Alliance
Kalispell, MT
$12,000
2026
General Operations
Quivira Coalition
Santa Fe, NM
$10,000
2026
General Operations
Blackfoot Challenge
Ovando, MT
$10,000
2026
General Operations
Great Burn Study Group dba Great Burn Conservation Alliance
Missoula, MT
$10,000
2026
General Operations
The Paradise Center
Paradise, MT
$10,000
2026
General Operations
Missoula Interfaith Collaborative
$40,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Upper Seven Law
$30,000
Helena, MT2026
General Operations
Montana Wilderness Association dba Wild Montana
$30,000
Helena, MT2026
General Operations
Montana Free Press
$30,000
Helena, MT2026
General Operations
Western Landowners Alliance
$30,000
Denver, CO2026
General Operations
Seeley Lake Community Foundation
$30,000
Seeley Lake, MT2026
General Operations
Prickly Pear Land Trust
$30,000
Helena, MT2026
General Operations
MAPS Media Institute
$30,000
Hamilton, MT2026
General Operations
Northern Plains Resource Council
$30,000
Billings, MT2026
General Operations
Common Good Montana
$30,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Nature Conservancy
$25,000
Arlington, VA2026
General Operations
Montana Budget and Policy Center
$25,000
Helena, MT2026
General Operations
Code Girls United
$25,000
Kalispell, MT2026
General Operations
Producers Partnership Inc
$25,000
Livingston, MT2026
General Operations
The Pulp
$25,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
$25,000
Golden, CO2026
General Operations
Mainstreet Uptown Butte
$25,000
Butte, MT2026
General Operations
Neighborworks Montana
$25,000
Great Falls, MT2026
General Operations
Our Childrens Trust
$25,000
Eugene, OR2026
General Operations
Western Organization of Resource Councils Education
$25,000
Billings, MT2026
General Operations
Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation (MIST)
$25,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Community Food and Agriculture Coalition
$25,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Montana Freshwater Partners
$25,000
Livingston, MT2026
General Operations
Montana Watershed Coordination Council
$25,000
Helena, MT2026
General Operations
Montana Two Spirit Society
$20,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Women in Ranching
$20,000
Cohagen, MT2026
General Operations
Montana Conservation Corps
$20,000
Bozeman, MT2026
General Operations
Park County Community Foundation
$20,000
Livingston, MT2026
General Operations
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
$20,000
Washington, DC2026
General Operations
Western Enviromental Law Center
$20,000
Eugene, OR2026
General Operations
Red Lodge Area Community Foundation
$20,000
Red Lodge, MT2026
General Operations
Big Hole Watershed Committee
$20,000
Divide, MT2026
General Operations
Winnett ACES
$20,000
Winnett, MT2026
General Operations
ACLU Montana
$20,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance
$15,000
East Glacier Park, MT2026
General Operations
Home Resource
$15,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund
$15,000
Helena, MT2026
General Operations
Missoula Urban Demonstration Project
$15,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Friends of Montana PBS Inc
$15,000
Bozeman, MT2026
General Operations
Red Ants Pants Foundation
$15,000
White Sulphur Springs, MT2026
General Operations
Vibrant Lives of Montana
$15,000
Dillon, MT2026
General Operations
Friends of Scotchman Peaks
$15,000
Sandpoint, ID2026
General Operations
Trust Montana
$15,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Yaak Valley Forest Council
$15,000
Troy, MT2026
General Operations
Families for a Livable Climate
$13,500
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
Glacier Queer Alliance
$12,000
Kalispell, MT2026
General Operations
Quivira Coalition
$10,000
Santa Fe, NM2026
General Operations
Blackfoot Challenge
$10,000
Ovando, MT2026
General Operations
Great Burn Study Group dba Great Burn Conservation Alliance
$10,000
Missoula, MT2026
General Operations
The Paradise Center
$10,000
Paradise, MT2026
General Operations
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from High Stakes Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses in 20 days (Sep 1, 2026)Award: $10K – $30K
High Stakes Foundation General Grant Program (Letter of Intent cycles)
Civic EngagementClimate ChangeConservation+7 more
Who can apply: Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or have a fiscal sponsor. The foundation does not fund organizations that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofits, capital campaigns, government-mandated projects, political lobbying, general social service organizations, litigation unless it supports the foundations of democracy, research studies including species and habitat studies, religious organizations, hospitals or medical clinics, scholarships, or event sponsorship. Organizations funded five consecutive years should take a year off and secure one new funding source before applying again.
Deadline: Grants are open for submission from February 1-March 1 and again from August 1-September 1 each year. Fall grant cycle accepted August 1 through September 1, 2026.
Open nowCloses in 20 days (Sep 1, 2026)Award: $10K – $30K
Conservation Grants
ConservationPublic lands protectionWatershed and habitat protection+1 more
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsor required. Foundation does not fund research studies of species/habitat that are purely research-focused.
Open nowCloses in 20 days (Sep 1, 2026)Award: $10K – $30K
Civic Engagement Grants
Civic EngagementDemocracyVoter and civic participation+1 more
Who can apply: Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or apply with a fiscal sponsor. Projects should align with systems-change work in civic engagement and democracy.
Deadline: Annual application windows: Feb 1–Mar 1 and Aug 1–Sep 1 each year.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.