Improve the quality of life in Central Montana by managing permanent endowments, donor-advised funds, scholarships and grantmaking to support local healthcare, essential services, education, civic, cultural and recreational projects.
Focus Areas
healthcareeducationessential servicescivicculture/artsrecreationscholarshipsrural community development
Who They Fund
small municipal government / town residents (Town of Winifred)children and youthgeneral community members / low-income residents (meal support, missions)volunteers and first responders (fire department upgrades)
About Central Montana Foundation
Central Montana Foundation’s giving is anchored in local capital projects: a $3.4 million grant to Century Companies for Town of Winifred projects, a $2.9 million award to Petroleum County Community Center for construction, and multi-million dollar support for Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown. Those large awards sit alongside a broad mix of smaller grants for schools, fire relief, community halls, stockyard improvements, and recreation facilities across Central Montana.
The foundation’s stated purpose is to improve quality of life in Central Montana through permanent endowments, donor-advised funds, scholarships, and grantmaking. That shows up in recent grants to Winifred School District for improvements, Denton Fire Relief-Fcdrf for fire relief, and Pccc Youth Center for youth programs. Its portfolio also includes rural endowment programs for places such as Petroleum County, Roy, Hobson, Grass Range, Wheatland County, and Judith Basin, which support local community needs and civic projects. Scholarships are a separate and substantial part of the organization’s work, administered through a central application for students in the region.
What Central Montana Foundation Funds
Healthcare is a major part of the foundation’s local grantmaking. Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown received $2.65 million in 2025 for capital improvements, education, and equipment, after a $1.96 million grant in 2024 for equipment and the cancer center.
Education and youth enrichment also appear repeatedly. Winifred School District received $919,534 for improvements, and Pccc Youth Center in Winnett received $235,000 for youth programs.
Community infrastructure is another clear theme. Petroleum County Community Center in Winnett received $838,250 for construction, while Petroleum County also received $74,000 for road improvements in 2025. Recreation and public gathering spaces show up too, including $82,875 to Winnett Pool and School for pool renovation and $69,578 to Lewistown Pickleball.
How Central Montana Foundation Gives
Typical grant sizes cluster around local project funding rather than very small awards: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $24,000, and the 75th percentile is $68,789. Recent patterns show both one-time capital grants and repeated support for some recipients across multiple years, including Central Montana Medical Center, Petroleum County Community Center, and Denton Fire Relief-Fcdrf. The foundation is a public charity and also manages donor-advised funds, scholarships, and permanent endowments. It accepts unsolicited applications in several active programs, including the central grant program and multiple rural community endowments.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$9.8M
Total Assets
$66.7M
Total Revenue
$29.9M
Total Expenses
$11.7M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $69K, with a median of $24K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$24K
75th Percentile
$69K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Deep Analysis
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capital/infrastructure grantsoperating and program supportequipment purchasingemergency/relief fundingone-time project/renovation grants
Topics
municipal infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, lighting)community facility construction & renovation (community center, pool, firehall, grandstand)recreation & youth sports facilities and programs (pools, soccer fields, swim passes, youth programs)education and youth enrichment (Imagination Library, school trips, scholarships)public/community services (meal supplement programs, missions, animal shelter)agricultural/market infrastructure (stockyard improvements)
Where Central Montana Foundation Makes Grants
Grant recipients are entirely in Montana, with 100% of grants going to recipients in MT. Lewistown and Winnett appear repeatedly among the larger awards, and Winifred is another frequent destination through school, municipal, and construction-related projects. Other recipient places include Denton, Hilger, Jordan, and Great Falls. The foundation gives locally rather than nationally, and its active endowment programs are organized around places such as Petroleum County, Grass Range, Roy, Wheatland County, Hobson, and Judith Basin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Central Montana Foundation
What kinds of projects does Central Montana Foundation fund?
Its active programs and recent grants point to healthcare, education, essential services, civic projects, culture, recreation, and scholarships. Recent awards include capital improvements at Central Montana Medical Center, improvements for Winifred School District, youth programs at Pccc Youth Center, and road improvements for Petroleum County.
Does Central Montana Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Yes. Several active programs list unsolicited applications, including the central grant program and rural community endowments such as Petroleum County, Grass Range, Roy, Wheatland County, Hobson, and Judith Basin.
What is the typical grant size?
The grant-size distribution centers on modest local awards and larger project grants: p25 is $10,000, the median is $24,000, and p75 is $68,789. Recent grants also include multimillion-dollar capital awards for community infrastructure and medical facilities.
Is the giving restricted to a particular geography?
Yes. The foundation’s geographic scope is local, and 100% of grants in the dataset go to recipients in Montana. Active programs are organized around Central Montana and specific places such as Petroleum County, Grass Range, Roy, Wheatland County, Hobson, and Judith Basin.
Does the foundation fund scholarships?
Yes. It administers a universal scholarship application for graduating seniors and post-secondary students in Central Montana, with awards from CMF and Area Scholarship Clearinghouse funds. The scholarship program is separate from its community grant programs.
Latest 990 Filing
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Central Montana Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses Nov 1, 2026
Roy Endowment Grants (Rural Community Endowment)
Community improvementLocal services
Who can apply: Applicants must meet the Roy Endowment Committee's requirements and propose projects benefiting Roy.
Deadline: Reviewed once per year in November; exact application deadline is not stated.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.