The Vincent Gaffney Foundation concentrates on small-town, rural community infrastructure that benefits children and youth — especially recreational facilities, school needs, and youth agricultural programs in northeastern Montana and the Williston, ND area. Grants are typically capital or equipment investments (pools, splash pads, playgrounds, vision screeners, barn/pen improvements, theater stage resurfacing) intended to boost local youth activity, safety, and community gathering spaces. The foundation favors practical, place-based projects that serve schools, civic bodies, 4‑H/FFA chapters and local municipalities.
Pool projects and youth facilities define the Vincent Gaffney Foundation’s recent giving. The foundation has backed outdoor pools, kiddie pools, and splash pads alongside school and community spaces used by children and teens in rural towns. In 2025, it supported a pool for the community’s children at the Town of Medicine Lake and a splash pad for children in Scobey, showing a continued preference for place-based projects that are visible in daily civic life. Earlier grants reached the Williston area as well, including support for Williston Water World’s kiddie pool and a trap-and-skeet field project for a co-ed league serving grades 6-12. The same pattern appears in smaller awards for school furniture, gym access, and youth-oriented public spaces. The foundation also funds pediatric and youth health needs, including vision screening equipment, pediatric supplies, and orthodontic support for indigent children. Its recipients are mostly schools, municipalities, youth groups, and hospital associations serving rural communities.
Youth recreation infrastructure is a core theme. The Vincent Gaffney Foundation gave $62,000 to the Town of Medicine Lake for sandblasting the outdoor pool and $50,000 to Williston Community Builders for the Williston Water World kiddie pool. It also funded a $30,000 splash pad for the City of Scobey. School and classroom needs are another recurring area: St Joseph's Catholic School received $15,000 for lunch tables and a dishwasher, while Trinity Christian School received $10,000 for a gym divider so two classes could meet at once. The foundation also supports youth agriculture and leadership. Grants included $15,000 to the Scobey FFA Chapter for agriculture courses and FFA events, and $10,000 to Roosevelt Co School District 65 - Froid School - AgEd Program for a CNC plasma table for children. Health-related support appears in grants for pediatric equipment and orthodontic care.
Typical grants are small: the p25 is $2,000, the median is $2,500, and the p75 is $7,500. The recent list also shows larger capital awards, especially for pools and other community facilities, including six-figure-scale local project support concentrated in single-purpose improvements. Grantmaking appears to recur across years for some recipients and places: Medicine Lake, Scobey, Williston, St Joseph's Catholic School, and Sheridan Memorial Hospital Association each show multiple awards over 2023-2025. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations, including orthodontic and insulin-pump support. It does not make program-related investments.
$126K
$1.3M
$180K
$164K
Most grants fall between $2K and $8K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$8K
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Concentrated, place-based capital grants focused on rural communities — a mix of several mid-sized awards ($15k–$62k) and smaller grants. The foundation repeatedly funds local municipalities, school-affiliated groups, and youth organizations with one-off project support rather than unrestricted operating support; a few grantees receive repeat project grants but overall giving is geographically concentrated and project-specific.
Notable grantees: Town of Medicine Lake (incl. Medicine Lake Pool), Williston Community Builders (Williston Water World / Kiddy Pool), Daniels County Museum Association / Rex Theater, The Sheridan County 4‑H Council, Froid School Foundation
Grant activity is regional and strongly concentrated in the northern Plains. North Dakota receives 50% of grants, with Williston appearing repeatedly in recipient records. Montana cities also show up often, especially Scobey, Plentywood, Froid, Medicine Lake, Culbertson, and Reserve. The list includes a cross-border grant to Medicine Lake, WA, but every recipient in the country distribution is in the United States. The pattern is tightly local rather than national, with most awards tied to rural towns and school or civic institutions.
Its grants often go to youth-serving community infrastructure: outdoor pools, kiddie pools, splash pads, playgrounds, school equipment, gym improvements, and other small-town facilities used by children and teens. Recent awards also included pediatric equipment, vision screeners, and support for youth agriculture and leadership activities.
No. Alongside grants to schools, municipalities, and community groups, the foundation also funds individuals. Recent examples include orthodontic support for indigent children and a diabetic insulin pump for a child.
The typical award is small: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $7,500. That pattern suggests many grants are modest, even though some capital projects receive much larger awards.
North Dakota is the top state by grant count, and 50% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Montana is also a major recipient state, with repeated awards in towns such as Scobey, Plentywood, Froid, Medicine Lake, Culbertson, and Reserve.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Medicine Lake, St Joseph's Catholic School, Sheridan Memorial Hospital Association, Dr Tony Fisher-related grants, and projects in Scobey and Williston. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards only.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The City of Scobey | Scobey, MT | $30,000 | 2025 | Splash Pad for community's children |
| Town of Medicine Lake on behalf of Medicine Lake Pool | Medical Lake, WA | $30,000 | 2025 | Pool for community's children |
| St Joseph's Catholic School | Williston, ND | $15,000 | 2025 | Purchase lunch tables and dishwasher for students |
| Town of Medicine Lake | Medical Lake, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | Pool for community's children |
| Roosevelt Co School District 65 - Froid School - AgEd Program | Scobey, MT | $10,000 | 2025 | To purchase a CNC plasma table for children |
| Froid Public Schools BPA Chapter (Business Professionals of America) | Froid, MT | $7,000 | 2025 | Leadership Conference for students |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Payton Couture | Williston, ND | $3,550 | 2025 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Wendy Gendreau - fbo Trapper Gendre | Williston, ND | $2,900 | 2025 | Diabetic Insulin Pump for child |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Riley Ingersol | Williston, ND | $2,592 | 2025 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Kailyn Johnson | Williston, ND | $2,592 | 2025 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Froid School Foundation | Froid, MT | $2,500 | 2025 | To update the concession stand in the gym entrance with the shop work |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Ta'Shaun Lawso | Williston, ND | $1,963 | 2025 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Plentywood Schools | Plentywood, MT | $1,730 | 2025 | Robotics curricular for students |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Emma Morrison | Williston, ND | $1,500 | 2025 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Michael Holmes | Williston, ND | $1,400 | 2025 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Tiana Espino | Williston, ND | $1,100 | 2025 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Alycia Reeves | Watford City, ND | $1,000 | 2025 | Travel expenses for medical care for child |
| Megan Martin | Williston, ND | $932 | 2025 | Eye Doctor in Fargo for child |
| Roosevelt Medical Center | Culbertson, MT | $550 | 2025 | Operation Safe Halloween for children |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Petra Thomas | Williston, ND | $100 | 2025 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Daniels County Museum Association | Scobey, MT | $20,000 | 2024 | Rex addition project - provides an educational space for children |
| Froid School Foundation | Froid, MT | $20,000 | 2024 | Outdoor playground equipment for preschool |
| Trinity Christian School | Williston, ND | $10,000 | 2024 | Gym divider for to split the gym for two classes to have gym class at the same time. |
| St Joseph's Catholic School | Williston, ND | $7,500 | 2024 | Help updating desks and adding additional seating |
| Sheridan Memorial Hospital Association | Plentywood, MT | $4,656 | 2024 | Pediatric equipment-oxygen monitor, infant blood pressure cuff, pediatric pt equipment |
| Sheridan County Fair Board | Plentywood, MT | $4,499 | 2024 | Help fund a kids corner at the fair |
| Culbertson Little League | Culbertson, MT | $3,532 | 2024 | Uniform, jersey, cap and visor replacement project |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Riley Ingersol | Williston, ND | $3,062 | 2024 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Dr Tony Fisher | Williston, ND | $2,700 | 2024 | For orthodontic work with indigent children each of which was under $1,000. |
| Roosevelt Medical Center | Culbertson, MT | $2,500 | 2024 | Snacks & Chat - Mental Welness Program for youth |
| Roosevelt Medical Center | Culbertson, MT | $2,500 | 2024 | Caught Ya Being Safe project, approved funds for bike helmets for children |
| BSA Troop 298 | Scobey, MT | $2,500 | 2024 | Support summer camp for youth |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Michael Holmes | Williston, ND | $2,400 | 2024 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Kailyn Johnson | Williston, ND | $1,705 | 2024 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Remington Bros | Williston, ND | $1,400 | 2024 | For orthodontic work with indigent children. |
| Town of Medicine Lake | Medicine Lake, MT | $62,000 | 2023 | Sandblasting the outdoor pool. |
| Williston Community Builders | Williston, ND | $50,000 | 2023 | Funds for the Williston Water World and spcifically the Kiddy Pool. |
| Coyote Clay Target League | Williston, ND | $25,000 | 2023 | Trap/skeet combo fields. Co-ed league for grades 6-12 and estimates 138 athletes. |
| The Sheridan County 4-H Council | Plentywood, MT | $18,700 | 2023 | Support the 4-H program. Livestock pens, evaporative coolers, funcionality of the beef barn. |
| Scobey FFA Chapter | Scobey, MT | $15,000 | 2023 | Support kids at FFA events, agriculture courses. |
| Daniels County Museum Association | Scobey, MT | $14,000 | 2023 | Resurface stage flooring in the Rex Theater which is utilized for youth activities. |
| Lions Zone 1 Diabetes (Sight 4 Kidz) | Williston, ND | $11,790 | 2023 | Two vision screeners that are specifically used for vision screening in schools and daycares. |
| Plentywood Town Square | Plentywood, MT | $11,000 | 2023 | Update the electrical, add picnic tables and benches to host youth events, easter egg hunts, etc. |
| Big Muddy Baseball League | Reserve, MT | $7,500 | 2023 | Hosting a state baseball tournament for 12 year olds. |
| Sheridan Memorial Hospital Association | Plentywood, MT | $7,100 | 2023 | Two pediatric exam tables and pediatric supplies |
| Scobey Public School District #1 | Scobey, MT | $5,224 | 2023 | Flex space for third graders. Ball chairs, floor seating, bench seating and wobble chairs. |
| Dr Tony Fisher | Williston, ND | $3,355 | 2023 | For orthodontic work with indigent children each of which was under $1,000. |
| Scobey Boy Scout Troop 298 | Scobey, MT | $3,150 | 2023 | Seven boys to boy scout summer camp. |
| Froid School Foundation | Froid, MT | $3,000 | 2023 | Replace lighting in the school gym. |
| Eager Beavers 4-H Club | Outlook, MT | $2,500 | 2023 | Stop the Bleed program which will build kits and then the kids will be trained by local EMT's. |
The City of Scobey
$30,000Splash Pad for community's children
Town of Medicine Lake on behalf of Medicine Lake Pool
$30,000Pool for community's children
St Joseph's Catholic School
$15,000Purchase lunch tables and dishwasher for students
Town of Medicine Lake
$10,000Pool for community's children
Roosevelt Co School District 65 - Froid School - AgEd Program
$10,000To purchase a CNC plasma table for children
Froid Public Schools BPA Chapter (Business Professionals of America)
$7,000Leadership Conference for students
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Payton Couture
$3,550For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Wendy Gendreau - fbo Trapper Gendre
$2,900Diabetic Insulin Pump for child
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Riley Ingersol
$2,592For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Kailyn Johnson
$2,592For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Froid School Foundation
$2,500To update the concession stand in the gym entrance with the shop work
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Ta'Shaun Lawso
$1,963For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Plentywood Schools
$1,730Robotics curricular for students
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Emma Morrison
$1,500For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Michael Holmes
$1,400For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Tiana Espino
$1,100For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Alycia Reeves
$1,000Travel expenses for medical care for child
Megan Martin
$932Eye Doctor in Fargo for child
Roosevelt Medical Center
$550Operation Safe Halloween for children
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Petra Thomas
$100For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Daniels County Museum Association
$20,000Rex addition project - provides an educational space for children
Froid School Foundation
$20,000Outdoor playground equipment for preschool
Trinity Christian School
$10,000Gym divider for to split the gym for two classes to have gym class at the same time.
St Joseph's Catholic School
$7,500Help updating desks and adding additional seating
Sheridan Memorial Hospital Association
$4,656Pediatric equipment-oxygen monitor, infant blood pressure cuff, pediatric pt equipment
Sheridan County Fair Board
$4,499Help fund a kids corner at the fair
Culbertson Little League
$3,532Uniform, jersey, cap and visor replacement project
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Riley Ingersol
$3,062For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Dr Tony Fisher
$2,700For orthodontic work with indigent children each of which was under $1,000.
Roosevelt Medical Center
$2,500Snacks & Chat - Mental Welness Program for youth
Roosevelt Medical Center
$2,500Caught Ya Being Safe project, approved funds for bike helmets for children
BSA Troop 298
$2,500Support summer camp for youth
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Michael Holmes
$2,400For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Kailyn Johnson
$1,705For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Dr Tony Fisher - fbo Remington Bros
$1,400For orthodontic work with indigent children.
Town of Medicine Lake
$62,000Sandblasting the outdoor pool.
Funds for the Williston Water World and spcifically the Kiddy Pool.
Coyote Clay Target League
$25,000Trap/skeet combo fields. Co-ed league for grades 6-12 and estimates 138 athletes.
The Sheridan County 4-H Council
$18,700Support the 4-H program. Livestock pens, evaporative coolers, funcionality of the beef barn.
Scobey FFA Chapter
$15,000Support kids at FFA events, agriculture courses.
Daniels County Museum Association
$14,000Resurface stage flooring in the Rex Theater which is utilized for youth activities.
Lions Zone 1 Diabetes (Sight 4 Kidz)
$11,790Two vision screeners that are specifically used for vision screening in schools and daycares.
Plentywood Town Square
$11,000Update the electrical, add picnic tables and benches to host youth events, easter egg hunts, etc.
Big Muddy Baseball League
$7,500Hosting a state baseball tournament for 12 year olds.
Sheridan Memorial Hospital Association
$7,100Two pediatric exam tables and pediatric supplies
Scobey Public School District #1
$5,224Flex space for third graders. Ball chairs, floor seating, bench seating and wobble chairs.
Dr Tony Fisher
$3,355For orthodontic work with indigent children each of which was under $1,000.
Scobey Boy Scout Troop 298
$3,150Seven boys to boy scout summer camp.
Froid School Foundation
$3,000Replace lighting in the school gym.
Eager Beavers 4-H Club
$2,500Stop the Bleed program which will build kits and then the kids will be trained by local EMT's.