Gianforte Family Foundation Grant Program

The Gianforte Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization committed to equipping people to improve their lives in sustainable ways. Its core giving philosophy emphasizes initiatives rooted in values of personal responsibility, relational restoration, and community enrichment. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations operating in or directly benefiting Montana and centers its funding around three strategic areas: equipping Montanans through education, strengthening families through ministries, and restoring individuals through relationships. Priority is given to efforts that align with these themes and demonstrate clear, measurable impact. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Additionally, the nonprofit’s work must fall within one or more of the foundation’s three focus areas and directly benefit Montanans. Organizations are encouraged to complete a self-assessment to determine their alignment with the foundation’s mission before proceeding. If aligned, they must schedule a consultation with the foundation’s staff before submitting a grant application. The application process requires completing an online form. Before doing so, applicants must fill out a contact form to schedule a consultation. Returning grantees can alternatively email their previous foundation contact. Applications may be saved as drafts and finalized later, but once submitted, they cannot be altered without contacting the foundation. All grant requests are reviewed quarterly, and decisions are generally made during the same quarter. The foundation's application deadlines are January 20, April 20, July 20, and October 20, with decisions rendered by mid-March, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-December respectively. Grant decisions are made by the board of trustees, and applicants will be notified within eight weeks of the submission deadline. Approved grantees will receive an official decision letter via email, detailing the approved amount, purpose, and follow-up requirements. A gift receipt must also be sent to the foundation. If the project experiences changes or milestones, the foundation encourages ongoing communication. Recipients must reapply annually for continued support; grants are not automatically renewed. To enhance success, the foundation advises applicants to submit a clear, project-specific request and avoid seeking multiple grants within a year. They typically do not fund more than 50 percent of a project and prefer starting with smaller grants for new applicants. Applications should include itemized components if multifaceted and should present information succinctly. The foundation stresses the importance of early consultation—several weeks before the deadline—and reserves the right to defer late consultations to future cycles.