The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Grants More Than $2 Million in Montana

Grants will support critical issues affecting local communities


PARADISE VALLEY, MONTANA
  – In the first six months of this year, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has awarded more than 30 grants totaling $2 million to nonprofit organizations in Montana. The foundation’s chairman, Arthur M. Blank, whose Montana ranches include Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch and the Ranch at Dome Mountain, is committed to investing in local Montana communities. The grants will address critical issues such as pandemic relief, disaster relief, community well-being and youth development.

“The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has long-standing relationships with organizations in Montana whose work addresses important needs in our communities,” said Tawnya Rupe, senior program director, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “Our work gives people in the community the resources and support they need during times of hardship and uncertainty. We are eager to continue our partnerships and giving to the residents we care about so deeply.”

AMB West Community Fund The Blank Foundation granted more than $1.3 million through the work of the AMB West Community Fund (“the Fund”). The Fund is managed by a group of associates from Blank’s ranches who volunteer their time to participate in grant-making decisions. Associates reviewed every grant application that was received and completed 46 site visits.

The Fund focuses on nurturing childhood, thriving youth, community well-being and COVID relief.

Highlights of the 2022 grants include:
• Community Health Partners: $470,000 grant for parental support from pregnancy to
graduation.
• Greater Gallatin United Way: $180,000 grant to continue supporting the Resilience Project.
• Mountain Shadow Association: $110,000 grant for the Lodge Grass Family Healing Center
planning.

Learn more about our 2022 AMB West Community Fund grants here.

Conservation Fund
The foundation’s Montana conservation fund supports programs, policies and leadership that enable human and ecological communities in the Paradise Valley to thrive. Through the conservation fund, the foundation invests in innovative projects and local staffing capacity that safeguard the natural resources of Paradise Valley for generations to come.

Recent grants include:

• Montana Conservation Corps (MCC): $10,000 grant to hire a dedicated chainsaw trainer that

will provide certified chainsaw safety training to all MCC crew members.
• Western Landowners Alliance: $60,000 grant to launch the “Working Wild Podcast” that
highlights how working farms and ranches are partnering with researchers, agencies, and
conservation organizations to navigate the complexities of ranching in areas that have high
wildlife populations and other natural resource challenges.
• National Parks and Conservation Association: $10,000 grant to support the development and
launch of an indigenous scholar program that provides indigenous college grads an intensive
conservation leadership and mentorship year that includes internships with a Tribal Historic
Preservation Office, a national conservation organization and the National Park Service
(Yellowstone National Park).

Learn more about recent conservation fund grants here.

Flood Relief
To help support communities affected by the record flooding in Park County and beyond, the foundation made a $100,000 donation to the Southwest Montana Flood Relief Fund, a joint effort between the Greater Gallatin United Way and Park County Community Foundation.

COVID Relief
The foundation continues to support local needs in the community resulting from long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Child Care Connections: $84,000 grant to pilot a project to offer families and childcare providers
more flexible and sustainable support due to increased challenges in childcare access and
affordability since COVID-19 began.
• Help Center, Inc: $150,000 grant for capital campaign planning for the expansion of physical
space and services that have increased significantly since COVID-19 began.
• Park County Community Foundation: $150,000 grant to launch the Park County Nonprofit
ACTion Initiative. The initiative will support Park County’s nonprofits through challenges they
are continuously facing due to COVID-19.

About The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
After more than 25 years and nearly $900 million in giving, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is committed to significantly accelerating the impact of its philanthropy over the next 10+ years. The foundation is currently on a journey of deeper learning and strategy setting for its new priority areas:

Youth Development, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health & Well-Being and Atlanta’s Westside.

Additionally, the foundation oversees a large portfolio of enduring founder-led initiatives.
Geographically, much of the work will continue to prioritize Georgia (with a focus on Atlanta) and Montana, while also considering the potential for greater national impact and influence.
Mr. Blank, chairman of the foundation, co-founded The Home Depot, the world’s largest home
improvement retailer, in 1978 and retired from the company as co-chairman in 2001.

For more information, please visit blankfoundation.org