The Gianforte Family Charitable Trust concentrates substantial, place-based philanthropy in Montana with very large gifts to a small number of organizations. Their giving emphasizes direct social services (notably homeless/rescue services), expanded educational access through scholarships and higher-education support, and local community leadership and development. Grants are sizable and targeted, suggesting strategic investments meant to create measurable impact rather than broad, small-scale support.
The Gianforte Family Charitable Trust’s recent grantmaking is defined by very large, targeted awards to Montana organizations serving housing, education, and family stability. A single grant to Montana Rescue Mission reached $2,000,000 in 2023, setting the tone for a portfolio that favors substantial support for a relatively small set of recipients. That pattern continues across the state with major commitments to Ace Scholarships, Montana State University Alumni Foundation, and Family Promise of Gallatin Valley. The trust’s stated work centers on helping Montanans improve their lives through education and workforce training, faith-based family ministries, recovery and reentry, and housing or homeless services. Its giving also includes support for nonprofit capacity and local community infrastructure when those projects serve vulnerable populations. The result is a place-based strategy that combines direct service with long-term capacity support. In recent years, the trust has funded both large institutions and local organizations, including school scholarship programs, higher-education partners, rescue missions, and community groups working with families and people facing instability.
Education and workforce pathways are a clear thread in the trust’s grantmaking. It gave $1,735,574 to Ace Scholarships for charitable purposes and $1,014,059 to Montana State University Alumni Foundation, showing support for both K–12 access and higher-education partnerships. In another education-focused grant, St Andrew School received $710,160. Housing and homelessness are another major area: Family Promise of Gallatin Valley received $759,321, and Habitat for Humanity in Kalispell received $273,093. The trust also funds recovery and reentry work. Hope Center Ministries - Butte received $506,856, while Pacific Nw Adult and Teen Challenge received $515,000 in 2023 and $358,412 in 2025. Faith-based family ministries appear as a separate focus, alongside community development and organizational support.
Typical grants are mid-sized to large: the p25 is $5,000, the median is $10,500, and the p75 is $34,750. But the recent grant list shows a strong upper tail, with seven-figure awards alongside many smaller discretionary grants. The trust is a regular funder rather than a DAF and does not fund individuals. Its programs include both unsolicited general grants and focused strategic grantmaking, and at least one quarterly program requires a consultation before online submission. Recipients also appear across multiple years, including Montana State University Alumni Foundation, Communio, Pacific Nw Adult and Teen Challenge, and Montana Higher Ed Stud Assis Corp, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
$12.1M
$231.1M
$8.8M
$13.4M
Most grants fall between $5K and $35K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$35K
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Concentrated, high-dollar awards to a very small number of grantees (few large grants rather than many small ones), focused on local Montana institutions and programs; appears to favor one-time or large multi-year commitments to organizations addressing education, basic needs, and community capacity.
Notable grantees: Montana Rescue Mission, ACE Scholarships, Montana State University Alumni Foundation, Community Leadership and Development, Inc.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Montana-centered: 77% of grants go to recipients in the trust’s headquarters state, and Montana is also the top state by grant count. Recent awards reach Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Laurel, Polson, Bigfork, Kalispell, Missoula, and Divide, showing a statewide footprint rather than one local cluster. Outside Montana, only a small number of recipients appear, including Alexandria, Virginia; Milwaukie, Oregon; Denver, Colorado; and Wichita, Kansas. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The trust supports Montana nonprofits and organizations working in education and workforce development, faith-based family ministries, recovery and reentry, housing and homeless services, and nonprofit capacity building. Recent grants include awards to school scholarship groups, rescue missions, family support organizations, and higher-education partners.
Yes, some of its general grantmaking programs accept unsolicited applications. The quarterly grants program also requires applicants to schedule a consultation before submitting an online application.
The typical grant size is moderate, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,500, and a p75 of $34,750. Recent awards also include much larger commitments, including seven-figure grants.
Yes. Montana receives 77% of the grants, and it is the trust’s top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Laurel, Polson, Bigfork, Kalispell, Missoula, and Divide.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Montana State University Alumni Foundation, Communio, Pacific Nw Adult and Teen Challenge, and Montana Higher Ed Stud Assis Corp, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI FOUNDATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $1,014,059 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF GALLATIN VALLEY | BOZEMAN, MT | $759,321 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GREATER IMPACT INC | BOZEMAN, MT | $715,324 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ST ANDREW SCHOOL | HELENA, MT | $710,160 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| OPTIONS WOMEN'S CLINIC | HELENA, MT | $509,335 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HOPE CENTER MINISTRIES - BUTTE | DIVIDE, MT | $506,856 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MONTANA HIGHER ED STUD ASSIS CORP | HELENA, MT | $492,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHILD BRIDGE INC | BIGFORK, MT | $444,250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MISSION VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | POLSON, MT | $398,391 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PACIFIC NW ADULT AND TEEN CHALLENGE | MISSOULA, MT | $358,412 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MONTANA FAMILY INSTITUTE | LAUREL, MT | $302,531 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | KALISPELL, MT | $273,093 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COMMUNIO | BILLINGS, MT | $260,578 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE MONTANA FOOD BANK NETWORK | MISSOULA, MT | $257,694 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| YOUTH ENTERPRENEURS INC - MONTANA | BALTIMORE, MD | $243,750 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHESTERTON HOUSE | ITHACA, NY | $213,161 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GRACE BIBLE CHURCH | BOZEMAN, MT | $204,883 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PROMISE686 | KALISPELL, MT | $153,750 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MONTANA CHAMBER FOUNDATION | HELENA, MT | $125,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CRU MINISTRIES - MONTANA | BOZEMAN, MT | $112,800 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| YELLOWSTONE ALLIANCE ADVENTURES | BOZEMAN, MT | $99,172 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MONTANA METH PROJECT | MISSOULA, MT | $98,581 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LAVIE DBA BILLINGS CRISIS PREG CTR INC | BILLINGS, MT | $91,800 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PRISON FELLOWSHIP - MONTANA | LANSDOWNE, VA | $90,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MOUNTAIN SHADOW ASSOCIATION | BOZEMAN, MT | $87,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SUNRISE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER | SIDNEY, MT | $70,850 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ASLAN YOUTH MINISTRIES | RED BANK, NJ | $70,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHI ALPHA CO MT MINISTRY NETWORK | MISSOULA, MT | $69,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LOVE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST - GALLATIN CITY | BOZEMAN, MT | $65,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HOPE CENTER MINISTRIES | CLANCY, MT | $65,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | HELENA, MT | $63,750 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EDUCATION DESIGN LAB | WASHINGTON, DC | $60,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INC | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $57,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE SALVATION ARMY A CALIFORNIA CORP | BILLINGS, MT | $55,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CROWN FINANCIAL MINISTRIES - MONTANA | KNOXVILLE, TN | $54,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FAMILYLIFE - MONTANA | BOZEMAN, MT | $53,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GREAT PLAINS GATHERING | BILLINGS, MT | $50,905 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CARROLL COLLEGE | HELENA, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GREAT FALLS RESCUE MISSION | GREAT FALLS, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MONTANA RESCUE MISSION | BILLINGS, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| A RAY OF HOPE | KALISPELL, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNION GOSPEL MISSION OF MISSOULA | MISSOULA, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TURNING POINT USA | PHOENIX, AZ | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FOCUS ON THE FAMILY | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LOVE AND SONSHINE MINISTRIES | BILLINGS, MT | $43,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CODE GIRLS UNITED | KALISPELL, MT | $40,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MIGHTY OAKS FOUNDATION - MT CO THE JOURNEY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP | MISSOULA, MT | $40,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH | GREAT FALLS, MT | $38,882 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI FOUNDATION
$1,014,059CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FAMILY PROMISE OF GALLATIN VALLEY
$759,321CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GREATER IMPACT INC
$715,324CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ST ANDREW SCHOOL
$710,160CHARITABLE PURPOSE
OPTIONS WOMEN'S CLINIC
$509,335CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HOPE CENTER MINISTRIES - BUTTE
$506,856CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MONTANA HIGHER ED STUD ASSIS CORP
$492,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CHILD BRIDGE INC
$444,250CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MISSION VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$398,391CHARITABLE PURPOSE
PACIFIC NW ADULT AND TEEN CHALLENGE
$358,412CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MONTANA FAMILY INSTITUTE
$302,531CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$273,093CHARITABLE PURPOSE
COMMUNIO
$260,578CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE MONTANA FOOD BANK NETWORK
$257,694CHARITABLE PURPOSE
YOUTH ENTERPRENEURS INC - MONTANA
$243,750CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CHESTERTON HOUSE
$213,161CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GRACE BIBLE CHURCH
$204,883CHARITABLE PURPOSE
PROMISE686
$153,750CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MONTANA CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$125,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CRU MINISTRIES - MONTANA
$112,800CHARITABLE PURPOSE
YELLOWSTONE ALLIANCE ADVENTURES
$99,172CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MONTANA METH PROJECT
$98,581CHARITABLE PURPOSE
LAVIE DBA BILLINGS CRISIS PREG CTR INC
$91,800CHARITABLE PURPOSE
PRISON FELLOWSHIP - MONTANA
$90,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MOUNTAIN SHADOW ASSOCIATION
$87,500CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM
$75,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL
$75,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SUNRISE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER
$70,850CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ASLAN YOUTH MINISTRIES
$70,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CHI ALPHA CO MT MINISTRY NETWORK
$69,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
LOVE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST - GALLATIN CITY
$65,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HOPE CENTER MINISTRIES
$65,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
$63,750CHARITABLE PURPOSE
EDUCATION DESIGN LAB
$60,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INC
$57,500CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE SALVATION ARMY A CALIFORNIA CORP
$55,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CROWN FINANCIAL MINISTRIES - MONTANA
$54,500CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FAMILYLIFE - MONTANA
$53,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GREAT PLAINS GATHERING
$50,905CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CARROLL COLLEGE
$50,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GREAT FALLS RESCUE MISSION
$50,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MONTANA RESCUE MISSION
$50,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
A RAY OF HOPE
$50,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
UNION GOSPEL MISSION OF MISSOULA
$50,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TURNING POINT USA
$50,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
$50,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
LOVE AND SONSHINE MINISTRIES
$43,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CODE GIRLS UNITED
$40,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MIGHTY OAKS FOUNDATION - MT CO THE JOURNEY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
$40,000CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH
$38,882CHARITABLE PURPOSE
Current and upcoming funding from Gianforte Family Charitable Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Faith-based organizations and churches working in family-strengthening and related ministry work in Montana. See Church Outreach Initiative page for details.
Deadline: Follows the foundation's quarterly grant deadlines (Jan 20, Apr 20, Jul 20, Oct 20). Next upcoming deadline: April 20, 2026.
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