Giving

DONATION REQUEST

If you would like to inquire about your organization or event being sponsored by Bank of Montana, please read our GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS below. If your organization falls within our specified guidelines, please complete our DONATION REQUEST FORM and submit it, either by mail or email, with the required materials.  ***Please not that our deadline for donations requests for the following year is October 31st.***

Required materials:

Optional:

  • Recommendation letters.
  • Copies of your project or organization’s promotional materials.
  • Project/event proposal and organizational background. Maximum one additional page.

Please mail your completed application packet including accompanying materials to:
Attn: Charitable Giving
Bank of Montana
125 Bank Street, Suite 100
Missoula, MT 59802

(406) 829-2662
E-mail: [email protected]

GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS

Bank of Montana aligns our giving with our team members philanthropic passions, i.e. giving to an organization will have greater impact if one of our team members is on the Board of the organization, volunteers their time with the organization, etc. Bank of Montana primarily donates to organizations with a tax-exempt status from federal income tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, qualifies as a publicly supported organization as described in Section 509 (a) of the Code, or can present evidence that the applicant is a legally established unit of government.

Bank of Montana funding priorities are focused on programs that provide a direct impact to our community.

Bank of Montana provides donations in two main areas: Community Development and Leadership Opportunities.

Community Development Funds are awarded to nonprofit organizations that provide services to low-and moderate- income (LMI) individuals and communities across our territory. Bank of Montana’s CRA committee works together with those nonprofits toward the salient goal of community development. We provide expertise and resources to affordable housing projects, services targeted to LMI individuals, activities that revitalize or stabilize LMI geographies, and activities that promote economic development.

Leadership Opportunities give Bank of Montana employees the opportunity to be community stewards. Bank of Montana relies on staff leadership to recommend funding based on the needs of their communities. From there, Bank of Montana donates to community projects and activities. Leadership Funding Opportunities are evaluated based on the nonprofits’ organizational background, community benefit and support, and the strength of the nonprofits’ leadership and financial stability.

Unsolicited applications will be referred to Bank of Montana’ COO.  Requests are reviewed at least annually.

Bank of Montana does not typically fund:

  • Individuals.
  • Projects that do not have a significant impact within communities Bank of Montana serves.
  • Projects designed to influence legislation or elect candidates to public office.
  • Projects of sectarian or religious organizations whose services are limited to members of any one religious group.
  • Projects which clearly represent a duplication of effort.
  • Day-to-day operating expenses for any public or private educational institution (this does not preclude requests for special events or needs from such institutions).
  • Any project that in any manner implies restriction of services based on any protected class.
  • Endowments.
  • Indirect operating expenses, deficit reduction, or general administrative overhead expenses. Unrelated salary expenses will not be considered.
  • Support for business enterprise.
  • Construction costs for new buildings or remodeling proposals.

Organizations can only be approved for and receive funding one time per year.

Please note: If required materials are not included, your application will not be considered for funding.

If you request a meeting along with or in lieu of this donation request and do not declare the purpose of the meeting; to garner a donation, sell something, etc., you will be immediately disqualified from any eligibility for any donation or from any sale when it is subsequently discovered.