WE BELIEVE … The AMB West Community Fund believes community-driven strategic philanthropy saves lives. We are committed to catalyzing and nurturing both grassroots and systemic change to help build a thriving future for all Montanans. We listen to organizations and individuals who are closest to the challenges, are inspired to help and are deeply invested in solutions that support economic mobility and personal well-being, especially for those most vulnerable. We strive to bridge divides and foster common ground by honoring diverse voices, staying open to shifting perspectives and new ideas, and bringing our neighbors together to connect a sense of shared purpose.
The mission of the AMB West Community Fund is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Montana, particularly in Park and Gallatin Counties and Indigenous communities across the state. Established in 2001, the Fund has awarded more than $9 million in grants. After assessing the landscape of existing programs and areas of need and opportunity through data and conversations with community stakeholders, the Fund has identified three priority areas for 2023: community well-being, nurturing childhood and thriving youth. Application requirements, preferences and priorities are outlined in the following sections and links.
The AMB West Community Fund is led by AMB West and Arthur M. Blank Foundation associates in Montana. The AMB West portfolio of properties includes Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch, and The Ranch at Dome Mountain. At our ranches, our team is focused on meaningful and impactful guest service, and we strive to uphold those standards in the local community. Throughout the year, our associates give back to the communities in which they live and work – through volunteerism, personal philanthropy and grants made to nonprofit organizations by the AMB West Community Fund. AMB West associates review grant proposals, attend site visits, and provide recommendations for investments made by the AMB West Community Fund. Associates incorporate the Blank Family of Businesses Core Values in all aspects of their community giving.
Investment Strategy
Our 2023 priorities include:
- Community Well-being: The AMB West Community Fund recognizes that to build a healthier and happier community, we must foster a thriving ecosystem of nonprofits. The Fund will support systemic initiatives that create a culture of well-being within non-profit organizations. The Fund strives to build upon community development that provides both proven and innovative pathways to create cultures of well-being within those vital organizations finding solutions, doing the work and strengthening lives. In addition to improving the internal health and well-being of nonprofit organizations, The Fund is especially interested in proposals that increase positive impacts within systems (may relate to systems change). The Fund requests systemic approaches to improve the health, well-being and culture for those engaged in the imperative work within our complex systems. Examples of approaches of interest to the Fund include but are not limited to systems such as education, food services, child welfare, family support, incarceration, law enforcement, healthcare, childcare, etc.
- Nurturing Childhood: Early childhood is the foundation of our community’s future. To support preventative and upstream approaches, The Fund seeks organizations expanding access to affordable quality childcare and early childhood experience that provide children — birth to five — with opportunities that will prepare them for successful lifelong development. The Fund is especially interested in projects that promote healthy parent-child relationships and connection to community resources as well as social and emotional skills among parents and children.
- Thriving Youth: Thriving youth are energized about their future and have a sense of purpose. The Fund seeks creative nonprofit efforts to help youth discover and develop their talents, attributes and passions; connect to pathways and support networks to achieve their aspirations; and build life skills to reach independence and goals. To provide effective opportunities for youth, it is imperative that youth voice is incorporated in all aspects including planning, execution and evaluation. Proposals that engage and enable youth and their peers to be advocates for their own well-being and mental health as well foster a desire for informed civic engagement will receive preference.
The AMB West Community Fund supports creative approaches and innovative programs that improve outcomes for children and families in Park and Gallatin Counties. The Fund will only consider proposals from organizations that build on community assets and demonstrate the ability to foster community cooperation and collaboration. Nonprofit organizations focused on advocacy or policy changes are eligible to apply and must demonstrate how their activities hold promise for large-scale systemic change.
All applications should describe 1) the problem being addressed and/or community opportunity, 2) proposed efforts and 3) expected outcomes (for children, families or communities). Applicants should articulate the logical connection between the problem identified and/or opportunity, the proposed solution and the anticipated outcomes. Additionally, proposals should describe how they will track and measure outcomes. For example, newer projects should track service goals and sustainability, whereas established programs should track progress toward outcomes.
The AMB West Community Fund will consider funding multi-year projects that are of exceptionally high quality, address a significant need and implement sustainable solutions that connect resources across sectors.
Capital projects are supported on a limited basis. Please contact us prior to submitting a capital proposal.
The Fund considers secular programs and focuses on programs that function during out-of-school time. A limited number of in-school programs are considered, provided they involve teacher and administration training and family engagement.
Organizations must be classified as 501(c)(3) by the IRS.
For full application requirements, preferences, priorities and application instructions, please review the AMB West Community Fund Grant Guidelines.
In addition to the grant application, all applicants must submit a brief video; a link to submit a video will be provided within the grant application and details are included in the Grant Guidelines.
