The Foundation for Montana History announces $91,500 in grant funding

This article originally appeared on Sidney Herald at https://www.sidneyherald.com/community/the-foundation-for-montana-history-announces-91-500-in-grant-funding/article_2593c030-dc1a-4d2a-9193-2d56d08c6d29.html.

The Foundation for Montana History announced its rural grant making cycle this week, awarding $91,500 to 9 rural counties across the state of Montana. With the announcement of this grant cycle, The Foundation has now awarded at least one grant to every single county in Montana. The Foundation is a nonprofit based in Helena that raises funds and makes grants for community-based history initiatives. Since starting the Foundation’s grant program in 2012, $1.85 million in grant funding has been placed in all 56 counties, supporting over 350 projects statewide.

“[The Foundation] set out with a goal to provide grant funding for all 56 Montana counties,” says Foundation President/CEO Charlene Porsild. “Reaching communities where funding is often less accessible was the top priority for us because rural Montana is at the heart of what makes our state so special.” This initiative was possible through support from the Steele Reese Foundation.

The Foundation makes grants up to $10,000 per project. This year, funding supports projects in 6 previous unfunded counties. Counties include Pondera, Toole, Garfield, McCone, Roosevelt, and Powder River. Projects include:

-The Heritage and Cultural Foundation, “Steve Fork Cemetery,” Sand Springs, $10,000: The Heritage and Cultural Foundation of Garfield County will build a fence around the historic Steve’s Fork Cemetery to better preserve the monuments.

-Wolf Point Area Museum, “Interior Paint Project,” Wolf Point, $10,000: The Wolf Point Area Museum will insolate and paint the interior of their museum to better display exhibits for the public. Learn more about the organization at https://www.facebook.com/wolfpointmuseum/.

-McCone County Library, “Oral Histories,” Circle, $9,000: The McCone County Library will use interview and transcribe stories from community members in Circle, Montana and the surrounding area. Learn more about the organization at

https://mcconecountylibrary.org/.

- McCone County Museum, “Pioneer Buildings & Artifacts signage,” Circle,

$5,000: The McCone County Museum will create several signs that interpret outdoor exhibits featured at the museum. Learn more about the organization at https://mcconecountymt.com/museum.

“This unique grant cycle was made possible through community efforts from individuals who care so deeply about their local history,” says Foundation Program Director Zachary Coe. “2025 was the first time our Foundation sent out a call for select counties to apply to [The Foundation’s] grant cycle and every single county responded with strong projects that will now receive grant funding.”