EBS STAFF
Twenty-one nonprofits serving Big Sky received grants from the Moonlight Community Foundation as part of MCF’s annual spring grant cycle, focusing on youth education, conservation, and underserved residents.
The funding totaled $465,000 to support initiatives including youth camps, Gallatin River conservation and outreach efforts, and tuition assistance for local child care services, according to a May 6 MCF press release. The foundation believes all 21 organizations play “an essential role” in providing “vital” resources to address the needs of Big Sky community members, especially youth.
MCF continues to build on recent philanthropy, including $400,000 awarded to 18 nonprofits in spring of 2024, and $369,000 awarded to 20 causes last fall. The foundation’s mission is “bridging the Moonlight community to causes that matter” to foster a sustainable and inclusive community.
This spring, the Big Sky School District Parent Teacher Organization received $113,800 to support cost-of-living allowance for teachers. PTO President Holly Coltea praised MCF for its support.
“Through this process, the Moonlight Community Foundation board became acutely aware of the significant gap between our teachers’ salaries and the cost of living in Big Sky. The support from the Moonlight Community Foundation has been incredible—a true partnership with our community school,” Coltea stated in the release.
Recipients listed
The following organizations received grants as part of this funding initiative.
The Arts Council of Big Sky earned a grant for its ARTventure youth education program.
Be Well Big Sky earned a grant to support building organizational infrastructure for community health.
The Big Sky Community Housing Trust earned a grant for its Rent Local incentive program.
The Big Sky Community Organization earned a grant to improve capacity of Camp Big Sky.
The Big Sky School District earned a grant for its local foods and sustainability project.
The Big Sky Ski Education Foundation earned a grant for scholarships and team jacket sponsorship.
Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization (SNO) earned a grant to support greener building practices.
Family Promise of Gallatin Valley earned a grant for family homeless prevention and stabilization.
Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks earned a grant for its 2025 Big Sky performance.
Gallatin River Task Force earned a grant for its education and outreach program.
Grow Wild earned a grant for its fire-wise landscaping demonstration project at the Historic Crail Ranch.
HATCH received a grant for its Global Voices in Big Sky program.
The Human Resource Development Council earned a grant to support the Big Sky Community Food Bank with workforce transportation and wellness supports.
The Jack Creek Preserve Foundation earned a grant for youth conservation education
Lone Peak Film Institute earned a grant for The Big Sky Film Festival.
Morningstar Learning Center earned a grant for sustainable child care operations.
Opera Montana earned a grant for Wheels of Harmony.
The Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association’s Big Sky chapter earned a grant for its Mountain to Meadow Green Trail.
Finally, Wellness in Action earned a grant for its affordable counseling program.
