Mental Health Access Fund for Indigenous Communities in Montana

The Montana Mental Health Access Fund for Indigenous Communities is administered by the Montana Community Foundation with the goal of increasing access to mental health services across the state of Montana, particularly within tribal communities. This initiative was launched in response to significant disparities in access to mental health care, especially in underserved and remote areas. Montana has one of the highest suicide rates in the United States, and tribal populations have historically experienced limited availability of culturally competent and geographically accessible mental health resources. This fund aims to support innovative, long-term solutions to these challenges and improve health outcomes across the state. The primary objective of the fund is to make mental health services more accessible to all Montanans by 2025. It places a strong emphasis on leveraging technology and partnerships to overcome geographic, demographic, and economic barriers. Eligible projects must be evidence-based and able to demonstrate measurable outcomes. Projects that expand services to unserved individuals, eliminate cost barriers, and establish sustainable delivery models are prioritized. Notably, proposals that simply offer a new type of service to an already-served population are unlikely to be ranked highly. The fund is open to a wide variety of applicants, including licensed mental health service providers such as health clinics, mental health centers, hospitals, schools, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and social service agencies. All applicants must provide services on one of Montana’s seven Indian Reservations—Flathead, Blackfeet, Rocky Boy’s, Fort Belknap, Fort Peck, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne—or to the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe. For-profit applicants must clearly show that their proposal will primarily benefit the community rather than the business itself. Importantly, grants will not be awarded for services already covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or other insurance. Grants awarded under this fund will range from $1,000 to $10,000. All services supported by the grant must be provided at no cost to patients. Projects are expected to fill service gaps that cannot be addressed through existing community resources and should not duplicate services already available. Applications are particularly encouraged if they propose new and substantive partnerships that improve resource efficiency and service delivery. The application process is fully online and hosted through the Montana Community Foundation’s website. The annual application window opens on July 1 and closes on November 1. Proposals are evaluated by the Montana Mental Health Access Fund Committee, which comprises mental health experts. While applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision, funding is not guaranteed, and awards may be less than the amount requested. A project report is required within one year of receiving the grant, and future funding is contingent on the submission of this report. For questions or additional guidance on the application process, prospective applicants may contact Elisa Fiaschetti via email at elisa@mtcf.org. All applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility and application guidelines carefully before applying.