Western Futures Fund concentrates its giving on state-level political and civic organizations across the Mountain West and Alaska, funding PACs, electoral reform and voter-mobilization groups, and policy advocacy shops. Grants are typically large, general-purpose awards to organizations engaged in electoral campaigns, policy action, and issue advocacy rather than program-specific charities. The foundation repeatedly funds a small set of targeted grantees and prioritizes influence on state and regional public policy and elections.
Western Futures Fund Inc backs state-level political and civic groups, with especially large general-purpose awards to organizations working on elections, policy advocacy, and campaign infrastructure across the Mountain West and Alaska. The biggest recent grant in the data is $1.95 million to Institute for Responsive Government Action Inc in Chicago for general purpose support, followed by $1.5 million to Your Community Pac Inc in Wilmington. Those awards sit alongside repeated support for groups such as Keep Country First Policy Action Inc and Retire Career Politicians Inc, showing a preference for organizations engaged in public policy, electoral strategy, and state-level influence. The foundation’s grantmaking also includes conservation-oriented civic work and court or election reform efforts, but the pattern is not program-specific charity; the funding is broad and flexible. Grants are typically directed to organizations that appear to function as policy, campaign, or advocacy vehicles rather than direct-service providers. Recent awards also show recurring support for Western-state entities, including Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nebraska, with several grants issued at the $100,000 to $500,000 level and above.
The foundation supports electoral reform and voter-mobilization work through several named grantees. In 2025, it gave $1.95 million to Institute for Responsive Government Action Inc for general purpose support, and in 2024 it gave $80,000 to Alaskans for Better Elections in Anchorage for general purpose support. It also funded Alaskans for Fair Courts and Votes Idaho Corporation, both tied to civic and election-related advocacy. State policy and campaign organizations are another clear theme. The funder awarded $1.1 million to Keep Country First Policy Action Inc in Washington, D.C., $370,000 to Utah Leads in Salt Lake City, and $110,000 to Wyoming Way Pac in Jackson. Conservation-linked civic work appears as well, including $500,000 to Clean and Prosperous America Education Fund in Seattle and $145,000 to Conservation Voters of Idaho in Boise.
Typical grants are large: the 25th percentile is $30,000, the median is $55,000, and the 75th percentile is $130,000. The recent list shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including 907 Initiative, Montana State Afl-cio, Wyoming Way Pac, and Montana State Afl-cio again, which points to an ongoing relationship with some grantees rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a public charity, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. Awards in the data are described as general purpose, suggesting flexible operating support rather than tightly restricted project grants.
$6.8M
$3.9M
$8.7M
$7.8M
Most grants fall between $30K and $130K, with a median of $55K.
25th Percentile
$30K
Median
$55K
75th Percentile
$130K
About 14% of grants go to recipients in WY.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar general-purpose grants to a relatively small roster of repeat grantees and PACs; funding is geographically focused on Mountain West states and Alaska and emphasizes electoral influence and policy advocacy over diversified philanthropic programs.
Notable grantees: INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT ACTION INC, YOUR COMMUNITY PAC INC, KEEP COUNTRY FIRST POLICY ACTION INC, VOTES IDAHO CORPORATION, 907 INITIATIVE
Giving is regional and heavily centered in the Mountain West and Alaska. Wyoming is the top state by grant count, though only 14% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Anchorage appears repeatedly, including awards to Alaskans for Posterity Inc, Alaskans for Fair Courts, Anchorage Care for Kids, and 907 Initiative. Helena and Missoula in Montana also recur, along with Boise, Jackson, and Salt Lake City. Outside the U.S., none of the recent grants list non-U.S. recipients.
The recent grants point to state-level political action committees, campaign organizations, voter-mobilization groups, policy advocacy shops, conservation-linked civic groups, and reform efforts around elections and courts. Examples in the data include groups in Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska, and Washington, D.C.
The recent awards are labeled general purpose. That includes the $1.95 million grant to Institute for Responsive Government Action Inc, the $1.5 million grant to Your Community Pac Inc, and several other awards described the same way, indicating broad, flexible support rather than narrowly defined project funding.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat recipients such as 907 Initiative, Montana State Afl-cio, and Wyoming Way Pac appearing in more than one year, which suggests some ongoing relationships rather than only one-time gifts.
Wyoming is the top state by grant count, even though only 14% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Alaska and Montana also appear frequently in the recent grants, especially in Anchorage, Helena, Missoula, and other regional cities.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT ACTION INC | CHICAGO, IL | $1,950,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| YOUR COMMUNITY PAC INC | WILMINGTON, DE | $1,500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| RETIRE CAREER POLITICIANS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $970,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CLEAN AND PROSPEROUS AMERICA EDUCATION FUND | SEATTLE, WA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ALASKA JOBS COALITION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WORKING MONTANANS | BILLINGS, MT | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NMM | LINCOLN, NE | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| YOUR NEBRASKA | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAY BACK PAC | SHERIDAN, WY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WYOMING WAY PAC | LINGLE, WY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MONTANANS FOR ELECTION REFORM ACTION FUND | HELENA, MT | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| 907 INITIATIVE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MONTANA STATE AFL-CIO | HELENA, MT | $95,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WYOMING DONOR ALLIANCE | JACKSON, WY | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| IDAHOANS UNITED FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES INC | BOISE, ID | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SECURE ELECTIONS PROJECT | HELENA, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| A BETTER BIG SKY | MISSOULA, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ANCHORAGE SCHOOL BOND YES | ANCHORAGE, AK | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BETTER WYOMING ACTION AND RESEARCH | LARAMIE, WY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| VOTES IDAHO COMPANY | BOISE, ID | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| O2 UT | SOUTH SALT LAKE, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WESTERN STATES STRATEGIES | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| 907 INITIATIVE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $275,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MIDDLE FORK STRATEGIES | HELENA, MT | $252,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ALASKANS FOR POSTERITY INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CONSERVATION VOTERS OF IDAHO | BOISE, ID | $145,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ANCHORAGE CARE FOR KIDS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ALASKANS FOR FAIR COURTS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ALASKANS FOR BETTER ELECTIONS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $80,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| MONTANA STATE AFL-CIO | HELENA, MT | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SHELTER JH | JACKSON, WY | $70,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WESTERN ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE COUNCILS | BILLINGS, MT | $60,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| VOTES IDAHO CORPORATION | BOISE, ID | $55,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| OPEN DEMOCRACY PAC | WASHINGTON, DC | $55,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAY BACK PAC | SHERIDAN, WY | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| A BETTER BIG SKY | MISSOULA, MT | $45,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ALASKA STATE AFL-CIO | ANCHORAGE, AK | $44,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| VOTER DEFENSE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UTAH DONOR COLLABORATIVE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $32,500 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| KANSAS VALUES INSTITUTE | LAWRENCE, KS | $27,125 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WILD MONTANA ACTION FUND | HELENA, MT | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ALASKA PROGRESSIVE DONOR TABLE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| ALLIANCE FOR A BETTER UTAH INC | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| O2 UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UTAH WOMEN AND POLITICS PAC | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| KEEP COUNTRY FIRST POLICY ACTION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| VOTES IDAHO CORPORATION | BOISE, ID | $486,750 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UTAH LEADS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $370,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| BIG SKY VOTERS PAC | MISSOULA, MT | $250,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| 907 INITIATIVE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $250,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT ACTION INC
$1,950,000GENERAL PURPOSE
YOUR COMMUNITY PAC INC
$1,500,000GENERAL PURPOSE
RETIRE CAREER POLITICIANS INC
$970,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CLEAN AND PROSPEROUS AMERICA EDUCATION FUND
$500,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ALASKA JOBS COALITION
$400,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WORKING MONTANANS
$300,000GENERAL PURPOSE
NMM
$200,000GENERAL PURPOSE
YOUR NEBRASKA
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WAY BACK PAC
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WYOMING WAY PAC
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MONTANANS FOR ELECTION REFORM ACTION FUND
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
907 INITIATIVE
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MONTANA STATE AFL-CIO
$95,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WYOMING DONOR ALLIANCE
$75,000GENERAL PURPOSE
IDAHOANS UNITED FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES INC
$60,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SECURE ELECTIONS PROJECT
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
A BETTER BIG SKY
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ANCHORAGE SCHOOL BOND YES
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
BETTER WYOMING ACTION AND RESEARCH
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE
VOTES IDAHO COMPANY
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
O2 UT
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WESTERN STATES STRATEGIES
$10,000GENERAL PURPOSE
907 INITIATIVE
$275,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MIDDLE FORK STRATEGIES
$252,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ALASKANS FOR POSTERITY INC
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CONSERVATION VOTERS OF IDAHO
$145,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ANCHORAGE CARE FOR KIDS
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ALASKANS FOR FAIR COURTS
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ALASKANS FOR BETTER ELECTIONS
$80,000GENERAL PURPOSE
MONTANA STATE AFL-CIO
$75,000GENERAL PURPOSE
SHELTER JH
$70,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WESTERN ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE COUNCILS
$60,000GENERAL PURPOSE
VOTES IDAHO CORPORATION
$55,000GENERAL PURPOSE
OPEN DEMOCRACY PAC
$55,000GENERAL PURPOSE
WAY BACK PAC
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
A BETTER BIG SKY
$45,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ALASKA STATE AFL-CIO
$44,000GENERAL PURPOSE
VOTER DEFENSE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA
$40,000GENERAL PURPOSE
UTAH DONOR COLLABORATIVE
$32,500GENERAL PURPOSE
KANSAS VALUES INSTITUTE
$27,125GENERAL PURPOSE
WILD MONTANA ACTION FUND
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ALASKA PROGRESSIVE DONOR TABLE
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
ALLIANCE FOR A BETTER UTAH INC
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE
O2 UTAH
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
UTAH WOMEN AND POLITICS PAC
$20,000GENERAL PURPOSE
KEEP COUNTRY FIRST POLICY ACTION INC
$1,100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
VOTES IDAHO CORPORATION
$486,750GENERAL PURPOSE
UTAH LEADS
$370,000GENERAL PURPOSE
BIG SKY VOTERS PAC
$250,000GENERAL PURPOSE
907 INITIATIVE
$250,000GENERAL PURPOSE