Local Leaders,

This past month ushered in lots of positive news for the Local Community Foundation (LCF) Program. Most notably, MCF’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the “LCF+ Incentive Program: $1 Million for Montana.” This initiative, which will run for five years, will encourage LCFs to raise funds for their unrestricted endowments at MCF. We hope the LCF+ Incentive Program will be simple and impactful: when your LCF reaches a specified fundraising goal for your endowment, you will receive funds for immediate grantmaking or other needs as determined by your organization. Over the course of this initiative, MCF will provide $1 million to LCFs across Montana.

If the LCF+ Incentive Program sounds of interest, we hope staff or board members from your LCF will be able to join us at the LCF Convenings in May! When we all gather to connect, we will discuss the details of this initiative along with tips and tricks from MCF staff to set you up for success. Plus, we will unveil the new Transfer of Wealth Study and data about your community so you can understand both the opportunity and challenges of advancing philanthropy and community development in your corner of the state. Please register for the LCF Convenings by Wednesday, April 26^th.

Here at MCF, we know that LCFs are our strongest partners in “cultivating a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish.” We cannot wait to catch up at the LCF Convenings and partner through the LCF+ Incentive Program.

Looking forward to seeing folks in Helena, Red Lodge, Glasgow, and online,

Next month, LCFs will gather in Helena, Red Lodge, Glasgow, and online for the LCF Convenings to connect with each other and learn about what is on the horizon for the LCF Program at MCF. Is your LCF craving resources to build your endowment, strengthen your impact, or grow your board? If so, we will cover all these topics and more! More information, registration, and an agenda can be found here.

We would love to have staff and board members from each LCF join us for the LCF Convenings. LCFs that attend in person can receive up to $250 to offset travel costs; if travel costs are a barrier to in-person participation, please reach out to Taylor at taylor@mtcf.org or (406) 603-4913. 

At Red Lodge Area Community Foundation’s (RLACF) Annual Meeting on March 22, there was a special guest in the audience: Dominique Jackson, Regional Administrator for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Jackson was there to present RLACF – along with their partners, City of Red Lodge, Helena Area Habitat for Humanity, Trust Montana, and Department of Agriculture – with The Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. This award, presented by HUD in partnership with the Council on Foundations, recognizes excellence in partnerships that have both transformed the relationships between the public-philanthropic sectors and led to measurable benefits in housing and community development.

RLACF received the award for their Workforce Housing Initiative, which develops access to the Owner-Built Housing Program. The Owner-Built Housing Program uses the Mutual Self-Help model to facilitate the construction of quality homes built by future homeowners under supervision of Helena Area Habitat for Humanity. The permanent affordability of the homes is ensured through the placement in a community land trust with Trust Montana.

Community foundations are uniquely able to provide capacity, leadership, and resources for issues like housing and community development. When community foundations partner with public entities, there can be a power of collective impact. Congratulations to RLACF for this well-deserved award and for showing us the power of public-philanthropic partnerships!

LCFs across Montana are hosting and participating in giving days to support our nonprofit communities. Below is a list of giving days (or weeks) happening throughout the spring and summer:

Have a giving day to add to the list? Let us know so we can help spread the word. Reach out to Taylor at taylor@mtcf.org or (406) 603-4913.

Please join us in celebrating 35 years of serving Montana through philanthropy. You are an important part of this remarkable milestone and we cannot wait to celebrate with you. This spring and summer, we are hosting parties across the state. You can RSVP for a location at the links below or call us at (406) 443-8313. Please note: these events will be held as part of the LCF Convenings in Helena, Red Lodge, and Glasgow.

MCF is proud to have 415 LCF and nonprofit endowment funds that benefit LCFs and nonprofits across our state. We provide multiple services, resources, and tools to support our LCF and nonprofit partners.

Our philanthropy team has four full-time professionals dedicated to ensuring Montana's future through philanthropy. We can help your donors utilize the Montana Endowment Tax Credit and support your endowment. Our team can run gift illustrations, give presentations, and provide the tools and support you need to grow your endowment.

Not sure how to start a conversation with a potential donor or what exactly to ask for at the donor meeting? That’s not uncommon. Invite one of our staff to come with you to help strategize and implement a plan that is advantageous for the donor and your LCF.

Our team looks forward to meeting you at the upcoming LCF Convenings and 35^th Anniversary Celebrations!

You can contact MCF’s philanthropy team at giving@mtcf.org.

LCFs are invited to attend the Reimagining Rural Gathering in Townsend on June 13, 2023. This is a convening for funders, policy makers, and partners invested in a vibrant future for rural Montana. We will hear about innovative projects that are underway while brainstorming ways in which funding, programs, and technical assistance can meet the reality on the ground. More information, registration, and an agenda can be found here.

Across Montana, LCFs are tackling countless projects – and many of them have received great news coverage for their hard work! Check out the articles below to see what other LCFs have been up to. News coverage is a great way to let community members know who you are and what you have been up to. Who knows, you may even attract some new donors! 

Are you interested in your local community foundation receiving more news coverage? If so, please reach out to Taylor at taylor@mtcf.org or (406) 603-4913 to brainstorm ways to promote your efforts, such as writing press releases and letters to the editor or pitching stories to your local newspaper.

Below are some programs and funding opportunities that may be of interest. Please feel free to share them with others in your community as well!