EBS STAFF
This spring, Moonlight Community Foundation awarded its annual grants to 18 Big Sky nonprofits, totaling $400,000—MCF’s largest-ever grant cycle.
By category, MCF awarded $141,250 for youth education, $95,250 for conservation initiatives and $163,500 for underserved needs. Awards support programs and initiatives for youth education, conservation, and the underserved needs benefiting Big Sky, according to a May 6 press release.
“It’s always a pleasure to be able to give back to our Big Sky community in a meaningful way,” Bob Rhea, MCF board chair, stated in a follow-up email. “We give to causes that matter and nothing matters more than the residents of Big Sky who give so much to all of us.”
Since 2015, MCF has awarded a total of $3.3 million to local nonprofits, according to the release.
The following organizations received grants for 2024, by category.
Underserved needs
Big Sky Community Housing Trust will receive $50,000 for its Rent Local incentive program.
Big Sky Community Organization will receive $45,000 for recreational programming and Camp Big Sky.
Riley’s Urgent Fund for Friends (RUFF) will receive $10,000 for operational support.
Wellness in Action will receive $55,000 for its sliding-scale fee structure for counseling.
Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will receive $3,500 for its 2024 performance on July 27 at Town Center Plaza in Big Sky.
Youth education
Morningstar Learning Center will receive $68,000 for operational support.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country will receive $20,000 for its mentorship of Big Sky youth.
The Arts Council of Big Sky will receive $15,000 for its ARTventure youth education program.
Big Sky School District—through Friends of Big Sky Education—will receive $13,250 for a local foods and sustainability project.
Greater Gallatin United Way will receive $10,000 for its Big Sky kidsLINK Summer Camp program.
HATCH will receive $10,000 for its 2024 Big Sky Summit, intended to empower Lone Peak High School Students.
Big Sky Futbol Club will receive $5,000 for scholarships.
Conservation initiatives
The Center for Large Landscape Conservation will receive $35,000 for implementation of its US-191/MT-64 Wildlife & Transportation Assessment.
Big Sky Ski Education Foundation will receive $20,000 for its BSSEF Scholarship Fund.
Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization (SNO) will receive $15,000 for implementation of its Climate Action Plan through a credible carbon offset guide and outreach.
Gallatin River Task Force will receive $10,000 for local water conservation programming.
Grow Wild will receive $7,750 for its Moose Pair Pollinator Garden at Ousel Falls.
Montana Land Reliance will receive $7,500 for its conservation and stewardship of Big Sky Habitats.
