In a city defined by its mountains, rivers, and independent spirit, the Missoula Community Foundation is proving that its most powerful natural resource is actually its people.
Founded in 2001 as a "gift to the community" for the new millennium, the Foundation has evolved from a simple savings account for charitable causes into a dynamic engine for local resilience. Their philosophy, often described as "The Missoula Way," is built on a simple premise: we are stronger when we pool our resources, whether that is $10 a month or a multi-million dollar endowment.
As we look back on 2025, the Foundation’s impact is visible across three distinct pillars: a record-breaking day of giving, a targeted initiative for workforce resilience, and a powerful collective of women funders.
A Celebration of Generosity: Missoula Gives 2025
If you live in Missoula, you likely felt the energy of "Missoula Gives" this past spring. What started as a modest fundraising experiment has exploded into a 26-hour community-wide celebration.
The 2025 campaign shattered expectations, raising over $1.4 million in just over a day. More than 4,600 individual donors rallied to support 208 distinct local nonprofits.
"It is not just any opportunity to give," said one donor from the 2025 campaign. "It is an opportunity to connect or reconnect."
Since its inception in 2014, Missoula Gives has now raised a staggering $8.9 million for the community, acting as a critical lifeline for the nonprofits that feed, house, teach, and inspire the Missoula valley.
The Power of the Collective: The Women’s Giving Circle
One of the Foundation's most innovative programs is theWomen’s Giving Circle, which flips the traditional "wealthy donor" script on its head. The Circle operates on a model of democratic philanthropy: members pool their donations, learn together about community needs, and vote on where the money goes.
For 2025, the Circle chose to focus their impact on Civic Engagement & Community Advocacy.
In a major announcement on December 15, the Circle awarded their substantial annual grant to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Missoula. This grant will empower the IRC to further their work in helping refugees and new neighbors navigate complex systems, ensuring that new Missoulians have a voice in the future of the city.
This follows a strong track record of targeted funding; previous recipients have included the Montana Legal Services Association and the Blue Mountain Clinic, proving that when donors decide together, they can tackle complex, systemic issues.
Building a Resilient Future
Beyond writing checks, the Foundation is actively engineered the city's future through theCommunity Resilience Initiative (CRI).
Recognizing that Missoula’s workforce is changing, the CRI is a strategic partnership between the Foundation, the University of Montana (UM), and regional businesses. The goal is ambitious but necessary: to build inclusive workforce pathways that keep diverse UM graduates in Missoula.
Supported by the Headwaters Foundation, this initiative is tackling the "brain drain" by helping local employers create resilient, inclusive workplaces where talent from all backgrounds—spanning different ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and generations—can thrive.
Year-End Giving: A Final Push for 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, the Foundation is reminding residents that philanthropy is also a smart financial tool.
In their Year-End Giving 2025 guidance, the Foundation highlighted the importance of strategic tools like Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for residents over 70½ and the Montana Endowment Tax Credit. These tools allow donors to maximize their impact on local causes while managing their own tax liabilities.
Whether it is through the adrenaline of Missoula Gives, the collaborative power of the Women's Giving Circle, or the long-term vision of the Community Resilience Initiative, the Missoula Community Foundation continues to prove that in Missoula, philanthropy isn't just about money—it's about building the kind of place we all want to call home.
How to Get Involved
- Donate: Visit the Foundation's website to start a fund or give to an existing one.
- Join: Membership for the Women’s Giving Circle is open year-round.
- Participate: Mark your calendars for next spring's Missoula Gives event.
For more information, visit missoulacommunityfoundation.org.
