Best Helena Grants for Nonprofits in Montana

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on youth development and leadership, including those serving Helena, Montana (Lewis and Clark County), can apply for Lithia Motors’ Lithia 4Kids support. Grants help enrich the lives of children and their families through community-based programs, with local Lithia locations managing involvement and partnerships in their own communities.

The Northern Great Plains Grant Program, initiated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), aims to conserve and restore grasslands and wildlife in the Northern Great Plains. With approximately $22 million available in grants for 2025, the program focuses on sustaining healthy populations of grassland-obligate species while promoting sustainable livelihoods and preserving cultural identities, including tribal cultures and food sovereignty. Key funding partners include multiple federal agencies and private organizations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Helena, Montana can seek support for education, health and human services, civic projects, culture and the arts, and resource conservation initiatives. With a mission to build stronger communities, NorthWestern Energy provides Community Works grants for programs, equipment, or physical improvements within its local service territory.

Brinker International provides Helena, Montana 501(c)(3) nonprofits with monetary or in-kind dining certificate support for programs serving children, youth, hunger, and education. Eligible organizations must submit requests at least six weeks before an event, and may receive donations once per calendar year through the online application process.

Eligible tribal, local government, nonprofit, and higher education organizations in Helena and Western Montana can develop or expand residential septic maintenance and education programs with up to US $50,000, helping protect local water quality. Grants from Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation support cost-shares for inspections and pumping, outreach, homeowner education, and septic stewardship activities.

Helena, Montana nonprofits focused on education, health, human services, arts, and community betterment can access funding through Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Charitable Giving Program. Organizations in Lewis and Clark County within the cooperative’s service territory may receive financial support or surplus office equipment to strengthen community growth and sustainability.

With a mission to support affordable housing, the Montana Department of Commerce provides Helena, Montana local governments and nonprofit partners with funding for single-family housing rehabilitation and stabilization benefiting low- and moderate-income residents. Collaborative projects, especially those involving Certified Housing Development Organizations, may access a five-year pool for construction or rehabilitation of owner-occupied or rental units.

Nonprofit mushroom clubs, mycology societies, and similar groups conducting mycological education or research in the Pacific Northwest, including Lewis and Clark County, Montana, can request up to US $1,000 for supplies, equipment, and events. With a mission to advance mycological research and education, Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation supports workshops, forays, lectures, and related activities.

Researchers, students, educators, and mycology-focused nonprofits in Helena, Montana can apply for Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation’s Stuntz Mycology Fund, with awards of More than US $1,000 for Pacific Northwest fungal research and education. Eligible costs include equipment, lab analyses, travel, conferences, educational materials, and fungal herbarium expenses, especially for mushroom-forming fungi projects.

Graduate and other mycology students, educators, and amateur mycologists in Helena, Montana can seek funding for research and educational activities, with awards ranging from US $1,000 - US $6,000. Grants from Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation may support equipment, supplies, travel for fieldwork or conferences, mycology classes, fungal herbaria, and related myco-education projects.

Focused on financial literacy and housing, 501(c)(3) nonprofits can seek Union Home Foundation support for programs that help families achieve economic self-sufficiency. Grants of More than US $1,000 are available to organizations in Lewis and Clark County, including Helena, with quarterly application opportunities and an eligibility quiz required.

Helena, Montana 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving education, health care, youth and senior services, arts, or community enrichment can access funding through the Bill and Rosemary Gallagher Foundation; awards range from US $3,300 - US $25,000. Projects must exclusively benefit residents of Western Montana, including Lewis and Clark County and Helena-area communities in need.

Nonprofit organizations working alongside families on health, leadership, and advocacy in Western Montana, including Helena, Montana, can apply for general operating support up to US $150,000. Grants from Headwaters Foundation help groups build family leadership, support organizing and policy advocacy, and shift narratives through storytelling, journalism, and research for families facing the greatest health barriers.

Nonprofit organizations running community power-building projects with families in Helena, Montana and Western Montana can apply for Headwaters Foundation’s Family Power Fund project grants, with awards up to US $125,000. Funding supports family leadership development, organizing and advocacy, and storytelling or research that advances health-focused policies for families facing the greatest barriers to health.

Nonprofit organizations supporting family health leadership and advocacy in Helena, Montana and Western Montana can apply for Headwaters Foundation’s Family Power Fund Planning/New Partner Grants, with awards up to US $75,000. Funding supports building youth, parent, and caregiver leadership, organizing and advocacy, and storytelling or research that elevates families facing the greatest health barriers.

Nonprofit and public agencies planning outdoor recreation or river access projects in the Missouri-Madison Project Area near Helena, Montana may be eligible for this grant. Focused on recreation and conservation along NorthWestern Energy’s reservoirs and river reaches, NorthWestern Energy invites sponsors to seek River Fund grants with matching funds for qualifying projects that support approved management plans.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Helena, Montana that run existing digital literacy programs for families or seniors may be eligible for US $2,500 - US $50,000 to expand broadband education and access. Charter Communications supports technology access and digital literacy initiatives in Spectrum service areas that partner with low-income or multicultural communities and can report clear impact metrics.

Montana public K–12 schools can apply for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reimbursement grants to cover transportation and eligible lodging costs for field trips to the Montana WILD Education Center in Helena, Montana. Grants support hands-on wildlife and conservation learning experiences, and schools incorporating related classroom lessons or activities may be especially competitive.

Montana conservation districts, including those serving Helena, Montana, can apply for Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation’s administrative grants; awards US $4,000 for basic operations and conservation work. Funding can support staff wages, insurance, office needs, equipment, on-the-ground projects, education programs, and assistance to landowners implementing innovative conservation practices.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on affordable housing, skilled trades, clean water, sanitation, or community development may be eligible for funding in Helena, Montana and other areas within Ferguson’s footprint. Grants from Ferguson help U.S.-based nonprofits partner on projects that strengthen neighborhoods and improve economic wellbeing where the company has a strong presence.

Nonprofits, schools, local governments, and tribal governments in Helena, Montana that are near BNSF rail lines can seek US $1,000 - US $10,000 for community, cultural, education, health, and youth programs. Focused on community quality of life, BNSF Foundation invites organizations to propose projects such as STEM education, homelessness and hunger services, and environmental or conservation efforts.

The scholarships we award vary each year based on the unique criteria of each scholarship. In 2025, we awarded over $3 million in scholarships to over 500 students, including $1.3 million to 110 students in western NC through our Disaster Relief and Resilience Scholarship.

Depending on the scholarship, it may pay for tuition, room and board, books, fees and/or other related educational expenses. 

Fred M. Parrish, Jr. Scholarship Endowment Fund

Graduating high school seniors from public high schools in Johnston County who are continuing their studies at an accredited college, university, community college or technical school. The Scholarship committee shall have the power to make recommendations to the Foundation as to deserving individual recipients and appropriate scholarship amounts, based on academic performance and on financial need.

This will be outlined in your award notification. The minimum scholarship award amount is $1,000.

NCCF scholarship awards are only issued to not-for-profit institutions and government entities such as public colleges or universities.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Matthew VanFleet Memorial Automotive Scholarship

Established by Matthew’s parents and his sister in memory of Matt who passed away in an automobile accident. The scholarship provides assistance to a student who will study automotive technology. The scholarship is available to students from all the school districts in Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties.

Scranton Area Community Foundation

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

Scholarships

We are honored to be the stewards of over 90 scholarship funds established by philanthropically-minded individuals in our community. Generous donors entrust us to connect them to dynamic students to provide financial resources for their education through scholarships. Our donors establish scholarship funds with criteria they wish to be met by applicants. Our scholarship committee considers the criteria, evaluates the submitted applications, and chooses the best candidates for each scholarship.

NEPA Invitational Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to assist with educational expenses for graduating seniors from Northeastern Pennsylvania who play golf and intend to pursue a post-secondary education. This is a manual application, available in the Spring.

Scranton Area Community Foundation

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

Scholarships

We are honored to be the stewards of over 90 scholarship funds established by philanthropically-minded individuals in our community. Generous donors entrust us to connect them to dynamic students to provide financial resources for their education through scholarships. Our donors establish scholarship funds with criteria they wish to be met by applicants. Our scholarship committee considers the criteria, evaluates the submitted applications, and chooses the best candidates for each scholarship.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to individuals seeking financial support to obtain a certification or degree in the nursing field, including a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or a Registered Nurse (RN), Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN), or nurse educator.

Scranton Area Community Foundation

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

Scholarships

We are honored to be the stewards of over 90 scholarship funds established by philanthropically-minded individuals in our community. Generous donors entrust us to connect them to dynamic students to provide financial resources for their education through scholarships. Our donors establish scholarship funds with criteria they wish to be met by applicants. Our scholarship committee considers the criteria, evaluates the submitted applications, and chooses the best candidates for each scholarship.

Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company Scholarship Award

The Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company Scholarship Award consists of ten $1,000 scholarships awarded annually to graduating high school seniors who are customers of Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, or who have a parent or guardian who is a customer, and who plan to pursue postsecondary education.

Who We Are

Buiding a stronger, More Vibrant Community

For over 70 years, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served Northeastern Pennsylvania as a steward of charitable resources, a grantmaker, and a catalyst for positive change. Guided by our core values of collaboration, trust, integrity, innovation, and inclusivity, we work to ensure that our communities thrive with opportunities for all.

This scholarship is awarded to either a graduating senior pursuing a post-secondary degree, or a currently matriculating student already so enrolled, who lives in Lackawanna or Wayne county and who is pursuing a degree or certificate in environmental science or a related field.