Big Sky No Limits Campaign

25 Years of Empowering Montana Women & Girls

What began 25 years ago with a vision from founding donor, Merle Chambers, has ignited hundreds of donors to create this powerful changemaker for women and girls across our state. By working together, we can build strong communities where every woman can define success for themselves.

The Challenge

To strengthen our dedication to establishing an inclusive economy that benefits all women—one where women can define success for themselves.

  • Support education, training, and access to capital for women.
  • Improve wages, benefits, and workforce policies for women.
  • Provide direct services to meet basic needs.
  • Advocate for public policies for women, such as childcare and health care.
  • Increase the political participation of women.

WFM's founding members, Nancy Owens, Dorothy Eck, Merle Chambers, Jean Kahn, Carolyn Stamy, Suzanne Small Trusler, and Ellen Alweis knew that the work is never done. We must continue to adjust and expand to meet the changing needs of women.

The Opportunity

For 25 years, we've been standing up for the rights and empowerment of all women, but we want to do even more. Through the Big Sky No Limits Campaign, you can help add $250,000 to our endowment to benefit Montana women and girls for generations. Will you continue to support this journey to equity?

Give Now

Why Give to the Women's Foundation of Montana?

  • 100% of your gift directly benefits women and girls in Montana.
  • Build a collective power for women.
  • Ensure your daughter and daughters all around our state can pursue their dreams.
  • Support gender equity. Give today and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Together, we can build strong communities where every woman can define success for themselves through the Big Sky No Limits Campaign.

Leave a legacy that impacts women and girls for generations to come. The Montana Endowment Tax Credit allows you to claim up to $15,000 in Montana tax credits.

Kylie Gursky's headshot'

We're Here to Help

For additional help, questions or comments, contact Kylie Gursky, Director, Women's Foundation of Montana.

406-541-7406 Email Kylie Gursky

Milestones

  • 1999 – WFM was established. The initial Advisory Committee members included Nancy Owens, Dorothy Eck, Merle Chambers, Jean Kahn, Carolyn Stamy, Suzanne Small Trusler, and Ellen Alweis. The first grantees of the fund included Dress for Success (Billings), Women’s Opportunity and Resource Development (Missoula), and WEEL (Working for Equality and Economic Liberation) (Helena).
  • 2001 – WFM provided grant funding to 34 organizations across the state.
  • 2005 – WFM reached its $1 million fundraising goal.
  • 2009 – Worked in coalition with a professional lobbyist to end predatory lending practices in Montana.
  • 2008 – WFM awarded $70,385 in grants to organizations working to improve the lives of women and girls in Montana.
  • 2009 – WFM held its second bi-annual legislative event to honor female elected officials and begin advocacy for public policy initiatives including opposing predatory lending practices.
  • 2010 – WFM worked on the successful ballot initiative to cap interest rates on payday and title loans.
  • 2011 – WFM coordinated the SAFE project, providing free comprehensive financial education classes for women in crisis to learn about budgeting, credit, and saving for the future.
  • 2013 – WFM released new data on the Status of Women in Montana showing Montana women made 74 cents to a man’s dollar, were the 4th lowest paid in the nation, the cost of infant care was the 22nd highest, and 42.5% of Montana’s female-headed households with children lived in poverty.
  • 2014 – WFM partnered with the Governor's Equal Pay for Equal Work Task Force and Montana State University to host Montana's first-ever Equal Pay Summit.
  • 2015 – PowerHouse Montana was launched as an initiative of the Women’s Foundation of Montana, created as a networking tool to connect women across Montana.
  • 2019 – On Equal Pay Day, WFM released a Women in the Workforce report highlighting the prevalence of sexual harassment at work and the impact it has on women’s economic prospects. WFM also reached $800,000 in total grant funding to date.
  • 2020 – Mardele Maryott, a music teacher from Red Lodge, had left her entire estate to MCF to benefit the Women’s Foundation of Montana. Mardele’s gift totaled more than $1.1 million.
  • 2023 – Granted out $300,000 to WFM Partners, continuing our commitment to supporting women in communities across our state.