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The Billings Community Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt, innovative community foundation governed by local citizens promoting philanthropy and charitable giving.  

Our Mission is: “To help individual donors and charitable organizations
meet the needs of the Greater Yellowstone Region.”

ESTABLISHING A FUND


Donor-Advised Fund
By opening a Donor Advised Fund at the Billings Community Foundation, you can continue to support the charities you care about while guiding philanthropy and strengthening local communities.

What is a Donor-Advised Fund?
A Donor-Advised Fund is a fund through which you can grow your assets tax-free and conveniently direct grants to charities you want to support. Created with a single tax-deductible donation of cash, stock, or real estate, you can name your fund and give at your own pace — we manage the rest. Any subsequent addition to your fund also is tax-deductible.

This provides a convenient, flexible tools for individuals, families, businesses,  and groups that want to make a tax deductible gift today and be personally involved in recommending grants to qualified non-profits in the future. Fund advisers may at any time recommend grants to support the charitable organizations of of their choice from both income and principal, the funds remain invested, continue to earn income, and can be recognized at the Annual Grant Awards Ceremony!

Benefits of a Donor-Advised Fund
  • Simplify your giving
  • Receive an immediate tax deduction
  • Give at your own pace
  • Invest your Fund tax-free
  • Enjoy hassle-free administration
  • Recommend grants to any registered domestic nonprofit organization

Your Fund Enables You to:
  • Support Organizations You Care About: Your Fund is the most efficient way to support all of the organizations you care about through one simple channel.
  • Optimize Your Tax Benefits: Take an immediate deduction for up to 50% of your Adjusted Gross Income on cash gifts, or up to 30% for gifts of appreciated securities. You may also avoid capital gains by making a gift of appreciated securities. Deductions may be taken all in one year or carried over for up to five years.
  • Establish a Family Legacy: Your Fund allows you to build a powerful legacy that can be shared with your spouse or partner and passed down to your children and grandchildren.
  • Diversify Your Giving: Our staff of experts can research Yellowstone County nonprofits that fit your interests.
  • Co-Invest with Others: Use your Fund to align your giving with the Foundation’s Grantmaking and other like-minded donors.




Field of Interest Funds
Field of Interest Funds benefit many charitable organizations within a defined category of interest. The donor decides the general purpose of the fund and the Billings Community Foundation identifies projects that are effectively accomplishing those goals through a competitive grant cycle.

These funders occasionally provide grants for projects supporting the following causes:
  • Education
  • Human Needs
  • Arts and Culture
  • Animal Welfare
  • Natural and Environmental Resources
  • Economic Development
  • City of Billings Bricks & Mortar


Community Fund
Allow the Billings Community Foundation to identify changing needs and opportunities in our community, and respond quickly where your dollars will be most effective. Unrestricted gifts to the Community Fund are awarded annually to qualifying nonprofits throughout the region in a competitive grant cycle.


Education Scholarship Fund
Donors, Businesses, or Civic groups may establish a Scholarship funds with the Billings Community Foundation designated to benefit a specific institution or student at any level of academic pursuit. These funds are often established to encourage a particular field of study, honor a founder or long-time employee, or memorialize a loved one and can be recognized at the Annual Grant Awards Ceremony.


Special Project Funds
A Special Project can be customized to support a specific charitable program or project - generally utilized as a financial investment tool during a capital campaign or construction project for a nonprofit organization. Donors may make charitable contributions and those funds are distributed in accordance with the donor’s instructions or on a schedule that best fits the needs of the project.


Establishing Permanent Endowments for Perpetual Support


Billings Community Foundation Legacy Endowment Fund
Support the Billings Community Foundation’s mission to meet the needs of the Greater Yellowstone Valley Region of Montana through grantmaking and special initiatives. A permanently endowed fund, the “Legacy Fund’ is a strategic way to effectively grow the capacity and services offered by the Foundation and help ensure the important work of the Billings Community Foundation in perpetuity throughout the region.


Donor/Family Designated Endowments
A Donor Designated Endowment Fund is similar to a Donor Advised Fund, but allows the donor to provide perpetual support to one or more of their favorite causes while also taking advantage of the Montana Endowment Tax Credit. Gifts are made to establish or contribute to a Montana based charitable organization, and a percentage of the income earned is dispersed annually.  A great alternative to a family or corporate foundation, advisors may identify specific organizations or causes to support and work with the Billings Community Foundation staff to recommend distributions recognized at the Annual Grant Awards Ceremony.


Agency Endowment Fund
Establishing an Agency Endowment Fund with the Billings Community Foundation is a simple and efficient way to build an ongoing source of income for your charitable organization can depend on. We manage the funds so nonprofit staff and volunteers can focus on the programs and activities that further your mission.