July 2025

Sunshine, Stewardship, and Small-Town Spirit

Local Leaders,

Summer is in full swing, and so are Local Community Foundations (LCFs). From fair booths and all-class reunion events to community-wide fundraisers and grant committee meetings, we know this season is packed with activity – and powered by people who care deeply about the places they call home.

In this issue of the Local Leader, we’re sharing tools to keep the momentum going in the months ahead. You’ll find simple fundraising strategies to help you reach your goal for the LCF+ Incentive Program, details for upcoming webinars on “The Art of the Ask” and “Succession Planning for Lasting Impact”, and a behind-the-scenes look at Montana Community Foundation‘s (MCF) team through our Faces of MCF video series.

We’re also excited to launch something new – our first artwork contest, Images that Shape Montana – and we hope you’ll help us spread the word in your community! Thank you for your time, passion, and commitment to your hometown. Your work continues to inspire all of us at MCF.

With appreciation,  

P.S. Have you checked out MCF’s podcast Impact Under the Big Sky? If not, give a listen to Episode 3: Local Community Foundation Incentives, which is a conversation with the Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County on their fundraising efforts.

Simple Strategies to Strengthen Your Endowment

We’re halfway through year two of the LCF+ Incentive Program, and community foundations across the state are working to raise dollars – and unlock matching funds – to grow their impact for the long haul. But building your endowment does not have to require major campaigns and big events. Sometimes, it’s the small, consistent actions that make the difference. Here are three easy ways to stay on track:

• Thank a Donor Each Month

Create a simple board stewardship calendar through the end of the year. Each month have board members call or write a personal note to a longtime donor. Let them know about what the community foundation has been up to. These heartfelt touches build stronger relationships with donors that make the end-of-year ask so much easier.

• Send a Mid-Year Update

Even if it is short, let your donors know how much you have raised towards your goal and what’s next. Progress updates keep donors invested. Plus, they can often prompt gifts!

• Discuss "Why I Give" with Board Members

At your next board meeting, ask each board member to share why they give to the endowment. Then, use their words in newsletters, quotes on social media, or talking points when meeting with donors.

Small actions like these, done consistently, can give your endowment a boost this year. Looking for more bite-sized fundraising ideas or want to chat about your LCF+ Incentive Program progress? We’re happy to help – reach out anytime!

Quarterly Webinars

We will be hosting quarterly webinars for LCFs again this year. We have chosen a number of different topics, ranging from grantmaking to fundraising. We hope that staff, board members, and volunteers from your community foundation can join us! Below is information about the first two webinars.

“The Art of the Ask” – Wednesday, August 20 at Noon



Do you want to feel more confident and prepared when it comes to making the ask? If so, join us for a practical session with simple strategies on how to talk with community members about contributing to your endowment, sponsoring your event, or making a legacy gift. 

“Succession Planning for Lasting Impact” – Wednesday, November 12 at Noon



Are you thinking about how to keep your community foundation strong into the future? If so, join us to learn about succession planning that will help you prepare for leadership transitions. We will cover simple steps to build continuity, preserve institutional knowledge, and set your community foundation up for long-term success. 

Did you miss other quarterly webinars? If so, you can catch up on them here:



• “Setting Up a Fundraising Plan”
• “Asking for a Gift in a Will or Estate Plan”
• “Easy-To-Use Marketing Tools”
• “Gearing Up for Planned Giving”
• “LCFs Driving Change in Their Towns” 
• “Innovative Practices in Grantmaking”

Call for Artists: Show Us What Shapes Montana

We’re excited to launch our first-ever Images that Shape Montana artwork contest – and we’re calling on Montana artists and photographers to show us how you see philanthropy in action across our state.

Whether it’s a painted portrait of community connection or a photograph that captures the impact of giving in rural Montana, we want to see how generosity is shaping our landscapes, our people, and our shared future.

Submissions will be accepted in four categories inspired by our mission:

• Education, Equity & Culture
• Community & Economic Vitality
• Land & Resiliency
• Health & Well-being
• 
  

Winners will receive cash prizes – including a $1,500 grand prize – and be featured on the cover of MCF’s 2025 Impact Report, across social media, and in a special Helena Art Walk exhibit this fall.

The contest is open to Montana-based artists 16 and older, except for current MCF staff and board members. It will open August 1 – September 30, 2025. The winners will be announced on October 17, 2025. 

The Faces of MCF: Meet the People Behind the Mission

Ever wonder who makes up the Montana Community Foundation team? The Faces of MCF video series is a great way to get to know our staff – not just what we do, but why we do it. Each video features a staff member sharing what inspires their work and what values guide them. 

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.

• “Change Your Pace Celebrates Record-Breaking Year”
• “Youngest Donor Makes Biggest Donation (So Far) to Cut Bank Community Foundation”

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

• MNA’s Nonprofit Resource Library: If your LCF is looking for sample forms and policies on a number of topics – ranging from fundraising to financial management to succession planning – check out MNA’s free Nonprofit Resource Library. In addition, each month MNA hosts a Member Call: Rural Nonprofits – this is a great virtual space to drop into for answers to your burning questions!

• Headwaters Foundation’s Go! Grants: If your LCF is in Western Montana and working on projects that promote health for children and families in rural communities, then you may be a good fit for an $8,500 General Operating (GO!) Grant from Headwaters Foundation. More information can be found on their Grant FAQs. 

• Reimagining Rural Road Show: If your LCF is up on the Hi-Line, check out this opportunity with our partners at MSU Extension in Glasgow on October 1-2! The Reimagining Rural Road Show is a two-day event designed to strengthen rural capacity and spark community innovation. This is your one-stop shop to hear success stories, connect with statewide partners, and explore resources.