The Powell County Community Foundation (PCF) is accepting grant applications from non-profits throughout Powell County. The PCF awards grants, usually ranging from $500 to $1,200, for charitable purposes in the following focus areas: basic human needs, arts and culture, recreation and economic development. The application deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 7.
The short application form is available by writing to the PCF at P.O. Box 834, Deer Lodge, MT 59722; by contacting board members Kirk Sandquist, Steve Owens, Mary Ann Fraley, Claudia Dippold, Cheryl Sandquist or Gerald Bender in Deer Lodge; or leaving a message at 406-846-3413. Because of IRS regulations all applicants must be a 501(c)3 non-profit with an IRS letter or a public agency.
Since it was established in 1999, the PCF has awarded more than $158,000 in 143 grants to 50 different organizations serving Powell County residents. In 2015 the Foundation had more than $19,000 in requests and was able to provide $12,951 in 12 grants, helping projects ranging from $3,000 for the Powell County Senior Center walk-in coolers and $2,200 for the Deer Lodge Food Pantry to help for the Powell County Ambulance and creative writing sessions for elementary students in the Ovando school. Many of these grants have been funded by money brought in from outside the county to supplement endowment earnings.
The PCF has built a permanent endowment of about $142,000 and uses the earnings from the endowment for grants, while the principal remains intact. The endowment grows with donations, memorials, bequests and other planned gifts.
The PCF is affiliated with the state-wide Montana Community Foundation, and the local board makes all the grant decisions. Many types of planned gifts for the permanent endowment can be eligible for Montana’s unique Endowment Tax Credit. Inquiries and donations to help build the endowment can also be sent to P.O. Box 834, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.
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