The Town Pump Charitable Foundation was established in 1999 with the mission of providing financial support to Montana charitable or governmental organizations with a priority of supporting/meeting basic needs and education for Montana citizens.
Town Pump Charitable Foundation has built a Montana-only grant program around basic needs and education, with a clear pattern of supporting organizations that serve local residents directly. In the recent grant list, that shows up in large commitments such as $200,000 to the Montana Historical Society for a civics education endowment and $100,000 to the Montana Food Bank Network for Meals for Backpacks. The foundation also backs community-serving projects beyond direct service delivery, including support for Mainstreet Uptown Butte and the Missoula Family YMCA. Its stated priorities align with food security, literacy, K-12 education, scholarships, veterans services, Special Olympics, and community assistance. The foundation was established in 1999, and its grantmaking reflects that mission through both ongoing programs and special, time-limited initiatives tied to specific needs. Many of those initiatives are aimed at Montana charitable or governmental organizations, which matches the foundation’s local scope and its 100% in-state recipient record. Across the recent grants, the pattern is less about one narrow issue than about recurring support for programs that address immediate needs, education access, and community life in Montana.
Food security is a major thread in the foundation’s work. It gave $100,000 to Montana Food Bank Network for Meals for Backpacks and $40,000 to Billings Food Bank for the Food Bank Campaign. Basic-needs support also appears in grants for organizations such as Butte Rescue Mission, which received $50,000 for program support and another $50,000 in 2024 as an annual grant. Education is another core area. The foundation awarded $100,000 to Central Educational Foundation of Silver Bow for education and $200,000 to Montana Historical Society for a civics education endowment. It also supports literacy through its Keep Kids Reading program for Montana libraries, and it funds scholarships for Town Pump employees and their families at accredited Montana institutions. Community life and public-facing projects are present too, including grants tied to fireworks, headframe lighting, and folk festival support in Butte.
Typical grant size is small relative to the foundation’s annual total, with a p25 of $800, a median of $2,000, and a p75 of $6,000. That distribution sits alongside a smaller number of large grants, including six-figure awards in the recent list. The foundation appears to fund both recurring programs and time-limited special initiatives; examples in the program list include annual food bank matching, Adopt A Family, Keep Kids Reading, Meals for Backpacks, scholarship grants, and targeted annual or one-time initiatives. Some programs accept unsolicited applications, including Adopt A Family, Keep Kids Reading, Meals for Backpacks, the scholarship program, and the general grant application. Others are invitation-based or run as matching campaigns. The grant record is consistent with annual funding rather than one-off philanthropy alone.
$2.8M
$78.4M
$23.4M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $800 and $6K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$800
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$6K
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Town Pump Charitable Foundation’s giving is entirely in Montana, and the recipient record shows 1,968 grants to U.S. organizations, all within the state. Butte appears frequently, including grants to Mainstreet Uptown Butte, Central Education Foundation, Action Inc, Butte Rescue Mission, and An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival. Other recurring Montana cities include Missoula, Helena, Great Falls, Billings, Bozeman, Chinook, and Livingston. The recent grants list also shows support reaching communities across the state rather than staying in one metro area.
The foundation gives to Montana charitable or governmental organizations, with priority on basic needs and education. Recent grants also show support for food banks, schools, community organizations, youth programs, veterans-related efforts, and local community projects.
Yes, for some programs. The general grant application, Adopt A Family, Keep Kids Reading, Meals for Backpacks, and the Town Pump Scholarship Program accept unsolicited applications. Other programs, including the annual food bank matching campaign and special grant initiatives, do not.
The typical grant size is modest: p25 is $800, median grant size is $2,000, and p75 is $6,000. The recent grants list also includes larger awards, but the distribution is centered on smaller grants.
Its giving is local and entirely in Montana. The recipient country distribution shows 1,968 grants in the U.S., and the state distribution shows 100% of grants to recipients in Montana.
The foundation’s stated focus areas include food security and food banks, weekend backpack meal programs, literacy and summer reading, K-12 education, community assistance and first responders, veterans services, Special Olympics, and scholarships.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Town Pump Charitable Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Schools, food banks, food pantries, and other community or service organizations that provide weekend meal programs for Montana students may apply.
Deadline: Applications are accepted from early August through late September annually.
Who can apply: Applicants must generally be Montana charitable or governmental organizations. The Foundation generally does not fund organizations without 501(c)(3) status or governmental agencies, discriminatory organizations, political candidates or campaigns, individuals, capital campaigns or endowments, meetings, conferences or workshops, or fundraising dinners, galas, and events.
Deadline: The 2025 application period was January 7 through December 19, 2025. No current deadline is published.
Who can apply: Groups working to assist Montana neighbors during the Christmas season.
Deadline: Applications are accepted from October through December annually.
Who can apply: Public libraries in Montana, and organizations operating eligible Montana summer youth-reading programs, may apply. Historical recipients include schools, library foundations, community libraries, and bookmobile programs.
Deadline: The 2026 application deadline is April 17, 2026; grants are awarded in May. The program page describes the recurring annual cycle as March 1 through April 30.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAINSTREET UPTOWN BUTTE | BUTTE, MT | $110,900 | 2025 | FIREWORKS |
| MONTANA FOOD BANK NETWORK | MISSOULA, MT | $100,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| CENTRAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | BUTTE, MT | $100,000 | 2025 | GRANT |
| MAINSTREET UPTOWN BUTTE | BUTTE, MT | $90,000 | 2025 | HEADFRAM LIGHTING |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS MONTANA | GREAT FALLS, MT | $60,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MAINSTREET UPTOWN BUTTE | BUTTE, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | FOLK FESTIVAL |
| FRIENDS OF THE POOL & PARK FOUNDATION | CHINOOK, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | POOL REHABILITATION |
| ACTION INC | BUTTE, MT | $40,000 | 2025 | SUMMER MEALS |
| TREASURE STATE FOUNDATION | HELENA, MT | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY |
| PRICKLY PEAR FIREWORKS | HELENA, MT | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 FIREWORKS MATCH GRANT |
| THE PRODUCER PARTNERSHIP | LIVINGSTON, MT | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE WALL THAT HEALS - BUTTE | BUTTE, MT | $25,000 | 2025 | THE WALL THAT HEALS |
| EAST HELENA RODEO ASSOCIATION | EAST HELENA, MT | $25,000 | 2025 | NEW BLEACHERS |
| DEVILS BRIGADE CHAPTER 28 | HUSON, MT | $25,000 | 2025 | RESPITES 2024/25 |
| POVERELLO CENTER INC | MISSOULA, MT | $25,000 | 2025 | CLARK FORK INN VETERANS HOUSING |
| POVERELLO CENTER INC | MISSOULA, MT | $20,000 | 2025 | WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT |
| PINTLER PETS | ANACONDA, MT | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HRDC DISTRICT IX | BOZEMAN, MT | $20,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| MONTANA FOOD BANK NETWORK | MISSOULA, MT | $20,000 | 2025 | BIG RIG SPONSOR |
| BRAIN INJURY ALLIANCE | MISSOULA, MT | $20,000 | 2025 | HYPERBARIC PROGRAM |
| LOGAN HEALTH FOUNDATION | KALISPELL, MT | $20,000 | 2025 | CYCLE MT |
| HELENA FOOD SHARE | HELENA, MT | $17,500 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| GREAT FALLS COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | GREAT FALLS, MT | $17,500 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| YELLOWSTONE BOYS AND GIRLS RANCH FOUNDATION | BILLINGS, MT | $16,000 | 2025 | ADOPT A FAMILY |
| MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY | BOZEMAN, MT | $16,000 | 2025 | EIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MONTANA TECH | BUTTE, MT | $16,000 | 2025 | EIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MISSOULA INTERFAITH COLLABORATIVE | MISSOULA, MT | $15,000 | 2025 | FOOD BANK SUPPORT |
| BUTTE EMERGENCY FOOD BANK | BUTTE, MT | $15,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| MISSOULA INTERFAITH COLLABORATIVE | MISSOULA, MT | $15,000 | 2025 | DINNER PROGRAM |
| ACTION INC | BUTTE, MT | $15,000 | 2025 | WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF YELLOWSTONE COUNTY | BILLINGS, MT | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HELENA SYMPHONY | HELENA, MT | $15,000 | 2025 | YOUTH SYMPHONY PROGRAM |
| EDUCATION FOUNDAITON FOR BPS | BILLINGS, MT | $15,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| MONTANA HOPE PROJECT | HELENA, MT | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| POLSON LOAVES & FISHES | POLSON, MT | $12,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA | MISSOULA, MT | $12,000 | 2025 | SIX SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF RICHLAND COUNTY | SIDNEY, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| CITY OF HAMILTON | HAMILTON, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT |
| POVERELLO CENTER INC | MISSOULA, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | VETERANS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING |
| BUTTE RESCUE MISSION | BUTTE, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT |
| SMILES | LEWISTOWN, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | MILES CITY, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| GREAT FALLS RESCUE MISSION | GREAT FALLS, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | BACK 2 SCHOOL BLAST |
| ST LABRE YOUTH & FAMILY SERVOCES | ASHLAND, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| GOD'S LOVE SHELTER | HELENA, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT |
| MISSOULA FOOD BANK | MISSOULA, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | MEALS FOR BACKPACKS |
| SAMARITAN HOUSE | KALISPELL, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT |
| RICHLAD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT | SIDNEY, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | GAS DETECTION PROJECT |
| MONTANA RESCUE MISSION | BILLINGS, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT |
| UNION GOSPEL MISSION DBA HOPE RESCUE MISSION | MISSOULA, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT |
MAINSTREET UPTOWN BUTTE
$110,900FIREWORKS
CENTRAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$100,000GRANT
MAINSTREET UPTOWN BUTTE
$90,000HEADFRAM LIGHTING
MAINSTREET UPTOWN BUTTE
$50,000FOLK FESTIVAL
FRIENDS OF THE POOL & PARK FOUNDATION
$50,000POOL REHABILITATION
TREASURE STATE FOUNDATION
$25,000COMMUNITY
PRICKLY PEAR FIREWORKS
$25,0002024 FIREWORKS MATCH GRANT
THE PRODUCER PARTNERSHIP
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE WALL THAT HEALS - BUTTE
$25,000THE WALL THAT HEALS
EAST HELENA RODEO ASSOCIATION
$25,000NEW BLEACHERS
DEVILS BRIGADE CHAPTER 28
$25,000RESPITES 2024/25
POVERELLO CENTER INC
$25,000CLARK FORK INN VETERANS HOUSING
POVERELLO CENTER INC
$20,000WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT
PINTLER PETS
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BRAIN INJURY ALLIANCE
$20,000HYPERBARIC PROGRAM
GREAT FALLS COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
$17,500MEALS FOR BACKPACKS
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
$16,000EIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS
MONTANA TECH
$16,000EIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS
HELENA SYMPHONY
$15,000YOUTH SYMPHONY PROGRAM
EDUCATION FOUNDAITON FOR BPS
$15,000MEALS FOR BACKPACKS
MONTANA HOPE PROJECT
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
POLSON LOAVES & FISHES
$12,000MEALS FOR BACKPACKS
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
$12,000SIX SCHOLARSHIPS
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF RICHLAND COUNTY
$10,000MEALS FOR BACKPACKS
CITY OF HAMILTON
$10,000WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT
POVERELLO CENTER INC
$10,000VETERANS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
BUTTE RESCUE MISSION
$10,000WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT
SMILES
$10,000MEALS FOR BACKPACKS
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$10,000MEALS FOR BACKPACKS
ST LABRE YOUTH & FAMILY SERVOCES
$10,000MEALS FOR BACKPACKS
GOD'S LOVE SHELTER
$10,000WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT
MISSOULA FOOD BANK
$10,000MEALS FOR BACKPACKS
RICHLAD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
$10,000GAS DETECTION PROJECT
UNION GOSPEL MISSION DBA HOPE RESCUE MISSION
$10,000WEATHER EMERGENCY GRANT