Dear Friends,
The first snowfall of the year is so exciting! Last weekend’s snowstorm in Helena was especially notable. The contrast of white snow on top of orange and yellow leaves was both eye-catching and a clear sign of seasons changing.
With the census completed, we move to election day on November 3. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be practicing our civil duty and voting in local, state, and national elections.
Voting in such an important election can be a little overwhelming. With the constant ads flooding our televisions and our mailboxes, it can be hard to cut through the noise. If you are struggling to make your final decisions for this election, you can visit resources like BallotPedia.org and your local voter’s guide for information on your local candidates and initiatives so you can make the best choice for you this election year. Just get out and vote- it matters for your community and our state! Your voice matters. For many years, supporting local community leadership has been a priority for MCF. We’ve partnered with local community foundations across the state and MSU Extension to help facilitate local communities as they identify and solve local challenges. While we’ve just wrapped up reImagining Rural, we continue to brainstorm what’s next for this initiative. Stay tuned.
I would also be remiss to not mention another prevalent color this time of year, seen donned on volleyball courts, football fields, lapel ribbons, and stocking hats. That is the color pink. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month focused on increasing awareness of the disease and helping those affected by it. Breast cancer has affected and continues to affect many Montanans. If you are interested in supporting a Montana charity, you can look into Pack the Place Pink. This Montana project supports breast cancer patients in Montana, providing them with financial assistance in all of our local communities.
Your generosity and partnership are remarkable. We are honored to be your partner in the process of serving Montana forever. Thank you.
Sincerely,
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Mary K. Rutherford
President & CEO
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In the month of October, all registered, active voters in 45 of Montana’s 56 counties, as well as those voting absentee in the 11 counties which opted for polling-place elections, received an absentee ballot in their mailbox for the upcoming election.
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Here are some factors to consider before election day on Tuesday, November 3rd. Ballots are only sent to active voters so make sure you are registered. Online voter registration is closed but you can still register by mail or in-person. Learn more at https://www.mtvr.org/mwv.
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If you need to register, are an inactive voter, or are registered to vote at an old address, you can also stop by your local county elections office to register and fill out a ballot. More information for your county elections office can be found at this link: https://tinyurl.com/y2tmasfu
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reImagining Rural Virtual Community Gatherings |
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Starting in September the team behind Re-Imagining Rural kicked off their Re-Imaging Rural Virtual Community Gatherings with Ben Winchester from the University of Minnesota Extension. Twenty-four rural Montana communities attended the gathering over 3 separate evenings. Watch the first gathering here.
The second night brought in two women from Middle America, Becky McCray and Deb Brown, who presented an “Idea Friendly Method.” These women were engaging and helped brainstorm terrific ideas for our rural communities. We are pretty sure they have never come across another town with a name like Round-Up and probably never will again. Watch the second gathering here.
The final presentation wrapped up the event with a conversation with the previous speakers and brought in a Montana perspective from White Sulphur Springs resident and founder of Red Ants Pants, Sarah Calhoun. Watch the third gathering here.
"Rural communities are vital places. Though young people are leaving for school or heading to more urban areas, families are moving into rural communities for the quality of life. Community members can make a difference by getting involved in their community." - Tara Mastel, MSU Extension
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AT&T Public Hero Scholarship-Still Accepting Applications |
Due to Montana’s late fire season, MCF has extended the deadline to apply for AT&T Public Hero Scholarship funding to October 31. The scholarship supports training for those pursuing careers and long-term volunteer work as first responders. Those eligible to apply include volunteer fire departments and emergency services organizations. Apply here.
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Plan to Make Grant Recommendations this Year |
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Now is a great time to do it! Due to the high volume of grant recommendations that are made in December, your grant awards may be significantly delayed if you wait until the end of the year.
It’s easy to get registered and make your year-end recommendations on our NEW donor portal. The new portal went live on June 21, 2020, so if you haven't set up a new account since then, you won't be able to recommend grants until you register. (Please allow at least 1-2 business days after you register to complete the process.)
For help in registering for our new portal, please contact Cathy Cooney, Director of Donor Services, at 406-441-4954 or ccooney@mtcf.org.
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Support Montana’s Veterans |
Veterans Day is coming up on November 11 and we want to celebrate the service of our Montana men and women. Montana has one of the largest percentages of veterans per capita in the nation so there is a pretty good chance that you have at least one veteran in our life. Share their story with us! Email kristin@mtcf.org.
Another way to honor the veteran in your life is through a contribution to the Montana Veterans Fund to support veterans across our state. As Montanans we need to support those who have fought for our freedoms. So, on the 11th day of the 11th month, and throughout the entire month of November, we ask you to support our Montana Veterans Fund. This endowed fund was established to continue the good work of the Big Sky Honor Flights that transported over 750 veterans to see the monuments in Washington, D.C., and celebrate their service.
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Who are the people that spend their days working for Montana's future? Let's find out!
When she joined MCF:
April 2020
Where she’s from:
Great Falls, MT
What she does:
Renae is the staff accountant.
What she did:
Renae owns the Bagel Company in Helena with her husband. For 15 years, she stayed at home to handle the company’s bookkeeping while raising her children.
What the fancy stuff on her wall is:
Renae received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration from Carroll College.
Favorite place in Montana:
Her home.
If she had to choose another profession:
She feels like this is exactly where she is supposed to be.
Something most people don’t know about her:
She has 5 kids, but at times she's had up to 8 children in her home as a foster parent.
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In September, MCF awarded over $299,633 in grants to benefit Montana communities, thanks to the generosity of our state.
THANK YOU!
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