Dear Friends,
You can rest assured that the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) continues to be an excellent partner and steward of resources. MCF has once again been re-accredited by the National Standards Board for U.S. Community Foundations. This accreditation indicates that MCF meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence and that we are a sound place to give.
Our re-accreditation affirms our commitment to meeting the most rigorous standards in philanthropy and is a promise to our state that we’ll continue to do this good work together, right here in Montana.
MCF was the first community foundation in the Last Best Place to earn this distinction. Through MCF’s accreditation, the accreditation is also conveyed to many local community foundations affiliated with MCF and operating under its 501(c)3.
The National Standards’ accreditation process is not mandatory, but MCF is committed to maintaining its accreditation. This significant accomplishment assures our donors, nonprofit partners, professional advisors, and the public that we are not only following legal guidelines, but also have made a commitment to operational excellence, accountability, and sound policies and procedures.
Your partnership and commitment to serving Montana through philanthropy makes all the difference. Together, we are all here for the good of Montana forever.
Sincerely,
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month |
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Mental Health Awareness Month happens every year in May and is an opportunity to bring attention to the mental health crisis in Montana, and across the nation. It is a growing issue that has been going on too long and affects many Montanans across our state. It is also an issue only exacerbated by the pandemic.
Our state has one of the highest suicide rates in the country, yet mental health access remains a challenge to many, especially those living in rural and tribal communities. And, frankly, our current approach to this crisis is simply not working. There is a clear need to increase access to mental health services across the state and support new and innovative solutions.
In response to this need, Frontier Psychiatry established the Montana Mental Health Access Fund at the Montana Community Foundation as a way to leverage technology and other resources to increase access to mental health services to every corner of Montana. The goal is to make timely psychiatric care accessible to every Montanan by 2025.
The Montana Mental Health Access Fund supports telehealth and other innovative solutions that are effective tools for providing better access to quality mental health services.
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LCF Grantmaking Highlight: ReImagining Rural Implementation Granting |
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MCF’s partnership with MSU Extension's ReImagining Rural program over the last three years has continued to grow our relationships and community involvement across the state. As part of the most recent installation of ReImagining Rural, MCF, in partnership with MSU Extension and the First Interstate Foundation, granted more than $37,000 to Local Community Foundations and other community-based nonprofit organizations to allow them to make their community projects a reality. Learn more about the grantees here.
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New $1.25 Million Endowment will Forever Benefit Valley County |
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We are pleased to announce a new fund to benefit the community of Valley County forever. The Valley County Masonic Endowment Fund was established through a $1.25 million gift from the Nemont Manor Foundation, Inc. Grants from the fund will support charitable organizations making a positive impact in Valley County.
The Valley County Masonic Endowment Fund was established with proceeds from the sale of Nemont Manor, an affordable housing facility in Glasgow that has 100 housing units available to HUD qualified individuals. The Manor was built more than 40 years ago and was previously managed by the Valley County Masons. It provides subsidized housing units to qualified tenants.
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Grants Awarded to Benefit Darby Community |
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MCF awarded $6,000 in grants to benefit three organizations in Darby. Grants were made from the Darby Town Endowment Fund, established at MCF by Richard and Barbara Ackerman in 1999 and enhanced through generous contributions from community members.
Grant recipients include the South Valley Veterans Memorial Sign and Darby Loggers Sign, the Sacagawea Park Mural, and the Town of Darby Skateboard Park.
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Honoring Those We Have Lost |
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We would like to take a moment to recognize the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, a day to remember and honor those we have lost in service to our country. Thank you to these brave men and women. In observance of the holiday, MCF offices will be closed on Monday, May 30.
If you are looking for a way to memorialize a loved one, consider supporting a local veterans or military organization or making a gift to the Montana Veterans Fund to support education, mental health, and employment support for Montana veterans.
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Learn more about the Montana Community Foundation's statewide partnerships and local impact in the 2021 Annual Report. Read stories from donors, grantees, scholarship recipients, and more. Read now.
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