In the Community
Ignite Newsletter - August 2025
August 26, 2025
August 2025
On this Women’s Equality Day, I am especially proud to share some big news: in 2025, the Women’s Foundation of Montana (WFM) has awarded more than $700,000 in grants to forty-two organizations across the state—nearly doubling our grantmaking from last year!
This historic investment was only possible because of you—our generous supporters who believe in the power of gender equity to shape a brighter future for Montana. Nationally, less than 2% of all philanthropic dollars go to women and girls—and even less reaches rural and Indigenous communities. By contrast, WFM is moving resources directly into those places where traditional philanthropy has often fallen short. At a time when women’s equality and the social safety nets our communities rely on are increasingly under pressure, your commitment ensures that critical work continues.
From the Hi-Line to the Beartooth Mountains, the Flathead Valley to the High Plains, our 2025 grantees are expanding access to reproductive and maternal health care, supporting survivors of violence, building leadership skills for women and girls, and creating economic opportunities so everyone can thrive. For example, one of our grantees is using Aaniiih and Nakoda cultural teachings to mentor girls and women of all ages—passing down traditions that strengthen reproductive health, resilience, and cultural identity. Another grantee empowers Montanans—especially those often excluded from policy debates—to use research and advocacy to advance equitable state budgets and policies. Together, WFM grantees form a powerful network of changemakers whose impact will ripple for years to come.
The heart of WFM is the work of our grantees: the organizations around our state turning vision into action. As we highlight them in the months ahead, we’ll show what happens when women’s philanthropy steps up, when donors like you close the gap and ensure that women, girls, and families in Montana aren’t left behind. Be sure to follow us on Facebook to learn more about the incredible work happening in your community and across Montana.
With deep gratitude,
2025 Grantee Quote
The heart of this work lives in the voices of our grantees. Here’s what it means to one of them:
This grant allows us to create meaningful mentorship connections between young women & local female leaders—opening doors, building confidence, and planting the seeds for long-term leadership in our rural communities. This program will spark lasting change by empowering the next generation to see themselves as capable, valued, & essential to the future of Valley County.
- Shyanne Wallace, Executive Director, Two Rivers Economic Growth
2025 WFM Grantees
Welcoming the Future (All Nations Health Center) (Missoula) – $10,000
ASPEN | Abuse Support & Prevention Education Network (located in Livingston, serving southcentral Montana) – $10,000
Baker Childcare and Early Learning Center (located in Baker, serving southeast Montana) – $10,000
Blue Heaven Harnessing Hope (serving Indian Country) – $10,400
Bridgercare's Family Planning Network (locating in Bozeman, serving statewide) – $30,800
Butterfly Health & Lifeways Teachings (located in Missoula, serving Indian Country)– $10,000
Catalyst MT (located in Missoula, serving statewide)– $20,000
Central Montana Childcare Alliance (located in Lewiston, serving central Montana) – $26,000
Code Girls United (located in Kalispell, serving statewide) – $20,600
Custer Network Against Domestic Abuse (located in Miles City, serving southeastern Montana) – $25,400
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (located in Red Lodge, serving southcentral Montana) – $31,000
Elk River Exchange, Inc (located in Bozeman, serving Indian Country) – $10,000
EmpowerMT (located in Missoula, serving statewide) – $50,000
Good Medicine Wellness Center (located in Bozeman, serving Greater Gallatin Valley) – $10,000
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, The Montana Coalition, Inc. (located in Helena, serving statewide) – $45,000
Legal Voice (serving statewide) – $14,500
Messengers for Health (located in Crow Agency, serving the Crow Reservation) – $20,800
Montana Abortion Access Program (located in Missoula, serving statewide) – $10,000
Montana Advocates for Children (located in Helena, serving statewide) – $30,000
Montana Budget and Policy Center (MBPC) (located in Helena, serving statewide) – $25,000
Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (located in Helena, serving statewide) – $25,000
Montana Doula Collaborative (located in Helena, serving statewide) – $5,000
Montana Gender Alliance (located in Helena, serving statewide) – $10,000
Mountain Home Montana (located in Missoula, serving statewide) – $10,400
MT Indigenous Doula Program (HMHB) (located in Helena, serving statewide) – $30,000
Native American Community Development Corporation (NACDC) (located in Browning, serving the Blackfeet Reservation) – $15,000
North Valley Food Bank (located in Whitefish, serving northwest Montana) – $18,100
Northwest Montana Community Land Trust Inc. (located in Kalispell, serving the Flathead) – $15,000
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana (located in Billings, serving statewide) – $25,000
Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation (located in Crow Agency, serving the Crow Reservation) – $15,000
Pretty Eaglewoman Resource Foundation (located in Lame Deer, serving statewide) – $20,400
REAL Co-Lab (located in Missoula, serving rural Montana) – $5,000
Red Ants Pants Foundation (located in White Sulphur Springs, serving statewide) – $15,600
Rocky Mountain Women’s Business Center (located in Missoula, serving statewide) – $15,600
Roots Family Collaborative (located in Bozeman, serving Gallatin and Park Counties) – $10,000
Snowy Mountain Development Corporation (located in Lewiston, serving central Montana) – $10,400
The Friendship Center of Helena, Inc. (located in Helena, serving the Greater Helena Area) – $5,000
Two Rivers Economic Growth (located in Glasgow, serving Valley County) – $10,000
Women's Resource Center (located and serving Dillon) – $15,400
Yellow Bird Life Ways Center (located in Lame Deer, serving the Northern Cheyenne community) – $25,600
YWCA Helena (located in Helena, serving Greater Helena Area) – $20,600
WFM Grantee Panel Discussions
WFM will be hosting two virtual panel webinars, one in November and one in December, featuring grantee leaders and community voices from across Montana.
In November, in honor of National Native American Heritage Month, we’ll highlight the organizations centering Indigenous women’s leadership and healing in their community work. This December, we’ll host a discussion with leaders from victim-service organizations, exploring how their work helps communities nurture healthy relationships all year long—and why that matters even more during the holiday season.
Stay tuned for dates, panel details, and registration information on our website!
WFM is a powerful force for philanthropy in Montana because of your support. WFM grantees lead the way in creating strong communities that work for women and girls.
Learn more about WFM grantees here and see our 2024 funding summary.
