Passing the Baton: A Season of Transition and Gratitude | | |
Local Leaders,
As we move into a new season, we wanted to share an update from the Local Community Foundation (LCF) program. After several years at the Montana Community Foundation (MCF), Taylor Crowl will be wrapping up her time as the LCF Program Officer in mid-November as she moves out of state to be closer to family. Taylor feels incredibly grateful for the partnerships, friendships, and stories that have come from working alongside LCFs in Montana. It’s been a privilege to witness the generosity, care, and pride that LCFs have for their community – and Taylor is excited to cheer on this work from afar!
With this transition, we are so excited to welcome Shyanne Wallace as the new LCF Program Officer. As the former Executive Director of Two Rivers Economic Growth, Shyanne brings a strong background in community development and a deep love for Montana’s small towns and rural places. Shyanne is based in Glasgow, but eager to visit with each LCF to learn from and collaborate with you. We are so excited to have her join the team and know her warmth, kindness, and can-do spirit will make her a wonderful partner to LCFs statewide.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be working closely together to ensure a smooth handoff and continued support for LCFs. We hope this passing of the baton reflects what local philanthropy is all about: shared leadership, trust, and continuity. After November 14, Shyanne will be your main point of contact for all things related to LCFs. She can be reached at shyanne@mtcf.org or 406-230-2785.
With gratitude for our continued partnership,
| | Celebrating National Community Foundation Week | | |
Each year, National Community Foundation Week (November 12-18) shines a spotlight on the powerful role community foundations play in strengthening the places we call home. Community foundations serve as connectors, conveners, and catalysts for change, and they are uniquely positioned to understand and respond to their community’s needs.
During this week of celebration, MCF is proud to highlight the work being done through LCFs. To share these stories, we have also created a press release for you to use to showcase your impact. It’s a great way to celebrate your grants, scholarships, and community initiatives with newspapers, radio stations, and other outlets in your area.
| | Join the "Strive for Five" Efforts" | | |
At MCF, we believe that everyone has the power to leave a legacy for the place they call home. In our new effort, called Strive for Five, we hope that each of us can leave just 5% of our assets or estate to causes, places, and people that mean the most. With an estimated $37 billion expected to transfer between generations in Montana in the coming years, that modest 5% can translate into meaningful, ongoing impact.
Want to hear more about how it works? Check out Mary Rutherford’s recent article, “Strive for Five – Cultivating a Legacy in Montana.” Afterwards, you can tune in to a recent interview with Jim Bennett and Heather Ohs on the Northern Ag Network.
| | LCFs can lead the way with the Strive for Five efforts. You can start conversations with donors about leaving 5% to your hometown, share the campaign in your next newsletter or with your newspaper or radio station, and spotlight community members that are making a legacy gift. And if you or your donors are wondering how 5% could make an impact, we’re here to help explore the possibilities. | | 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. | | |
“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.
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Did you miss other quarterly webinars? If so, you can catch up on them here:
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During a special ceremony in September, MCF’s building in Helena was named the Siegel Giving Center in honor of two impactful people: Arne and Steffi Siegel. The Siegels’ love for Montana began in West Yellowstone, where they founded the West Yellowstone Foundation, the state's first LCF affiliated with MCF. Today, their vision continues through 21 funds totaling $15 million, helping address housing, transportation, and scholarships in their corner of the state.
The Siegel Giving Center will serve as a lasting tribute to their generosity, a place where community foundations and nonprofits can come together to strengthen Montana communities. Rooted in the legacy of the West Yellowstone Foundation, MCF’s building now stands as a symbol of how LCFs help us shape Montana’s future through giving.
| | Curious about what the West Yellowstone Foundation has been up to? In October, they awarded the West Yellowstone Senior Center with a $57,150 grant. These funds were raised during their annual fundraiser, where they pause their own fundraising for a paddle raise to support another local nonprofit. This is transformational for the West Yellowstone Senior Center, and we are so proud of how the West Yellowstone Foundation leads with collaboration and care for all in their community. | | 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. | | Want to see more about your local community foundation in the news? If so, please reach out to Shyanne at shyanne@mtcf.org or 406-230-2785. We can brainstorm ways to promote your efforts, like writing press releases or pitching stories to your local newspaper. | | Resources and Opportunities | | |
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!
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Montana Main Street Grants: Is your community a member of the Montana Main Street program? If so, you can work with your local government to apply for a grant for a variety of projects, like wayfinding, pocket parks, and façade improvements. Check out the grant application to learn more.
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