March 31, 2025

Dear WFM Friends and Supporters,

This Ignite is packed with useful information.  

• First and foremost, WFM’s 2025 Grant Cycle is open, and the deadline to apply is Monday, April 7, 2025. WFM grantees across Montana give their all, every day, to make the lives of women and girls better. Come join our community!
• Next, catch up on key March legislative updates impacting WFM priorities.
• And lastly, we invite you to make your voice heard on April 1st. Support WFM grantee, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, in expanding access to doula care in Montana through policy.  

Happy reading! 

Funding Opportunity

Our 2025 Grant Cycle is open, and the deadline to apply is Monday, April 7, 2025. 

Who can apply: 501c3 and 501c4 organizations, or those fiscally sponsored by a tax-exempt organization, that are advancing the economic security of women and girls in Montana through direct service, leadership development, or policy advocacy and align with WFM’s vision, mission, and values. WFM is particularly interested in work led by and benefitting women in rural communities, tribal communities, and urban Indian communities that aligns with WFM’s objectives. 

Apply Now

To learn more, sign up here for today’s Q&A (3:00-4:00). 

2025 WFM Grant Application Guidelines

Montana Legislative Session: March 2025 Update 

The second half of the 2025 Montana Legislative Session kicked off earlier this month. Several of the bills WFM is monitoring were heard by the “money” committees in each chamber – these are the committees that focus on the fiscal implications of each bill and are an important hurdle to clear in the legislative process.

Support:

• 

  Senate Bill 319: Passed the Senate with bipartisan support and will be heard in the House Human Services Committee on April 1. The bill, supported by WFM grantee Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, creates a certification program for Montana doulas, improving birth outcomes and expanding access to doula care. You can support it by submitting comments or providing remote testimony.

• House Bill 245: Passed with bipartisan support and signed by the Governor. It reauthorizes the Montana Medicaid program, ensuring over 80,000 Montanans retain healthcare access, benefiting women, particularly those with lower incomes, by providing essential healthcare services.
• House Bill 456: Expands Best Beginnings scholarship eligibility to all childcare workers, easing the financial burden of childcare for families. The bill passed the House Appropriations Committee and is awaiting a House Floor vote.

You can support SB 319 at the House Human Services Committee on Tuesday, April 1, at 3:00 pm by submitting a comment or providing remote testimony (you must register at least two hours before the committee to testify remotely). You can also call the Montana capitol switchboard at 

(406) 444-4800 to leave a message for any legislator or committee.

Oppose:

Along with WFM Grantees Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, Catalyst Montana, Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and Bridgercare, we oppose several bills that threaten access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare:

• House Bill 121: Bans transgender people from using public restrooms or facilities that align with their gender identity. Signed by the Governor, the ACLU of Montana and Legal Voice have filed a lawsuit against the bill.
• House Bill 316: Proposes a constitutional amendment granting rights to fertilized eggs, potentially banning certain birth control methods, in-vitro fertilization, and life-saving medical care for women. The bill is pending a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee and requires a two-thirds vote to pass.
• Senate Bill 437: Attempts to define “sex” as binary and corresponding only to reproductive anatomy, which would erase protections for transgender and intersex Montanans. This bill was struck down by courts previously.

Public Participation

We encourage you to join us in advocating for policy change that benefits women and their families as we head down the homestretch of this session. You can submit a comment or provide remote testimony by registering for an account here: https://www.legmt.gov/participate.

You can also call the Montana capitol switchboard at (406) 444-4800 to leave a message for any legislator or committee.

Read full article here.

WFM Grantees Advocating for Policy

Our grantees are the best sources of information on what’s happening in the legislature and are experts and leaders in advocating for policy change. Please learn more about them and get involved! 

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies – Improve the health, safety, and well-being of Montana families by supporting mothers and babies, age zero to three

Montana Budget & Policy Center – A nonprofit organization focused on providing credible and timely research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues that impact low- and moderate-income Montana families.

Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence – A statewide, membership-based, anti-violence, nonprofit organization operating in Helena, Montana.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana – Works through electoral, legislative, and regulatory channels to advocate for universal access, without barriers, to cutting-edge sexual and reproductive health care for all Montanans.

Catalyst Montana (Formerly Montana Women Vote) – Uplifts low-income and marginalized Montanans through community organizing, policy advocacy, research, and leadership development. We work to build collective power and create meaningful change on issues that impact our communities.

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.