We’ve had strong partnerships with other local nonprofits since our start in 1931. Today there are two primary ways to access our partnerships:
1. The Missoula Nonprofit Center (MNC) is the training, networking, and information-sharing hub for nonprofits in Missoula County. As the updated and modernized combination of the Missoula Nonprofit Network and Volunteer Missoula, MNC facilitates growth and encourages the success of our community’s valued nonprofits and volunteers.
Now serving over 100 nonprofit members, MNC hosts multiple trainings per year, covering issues such as board governance, donor cultivation, and more. In addition, the popular weekly newsletter goes out to 250+ nonprofit professionals each week (usually on Wednesdays), highlighting nonprofit events, job openings, grant announcements, and more.
To learn more about MNC or to become a member, please visit MissoulaNonprofitCenter.org.
2. Small grants:
Opportunity Fund
United Way of Missoula County’s (UWMC) Opportunity Fund – replenished annually to $20,000 – enables UWMC to fund compelling and mission-relevant projects within the area’s nonprofit community (Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli counties), which come to our attention from time to time. Preference is given to health and human services agencies in Missoula County. Recommendations for Opportunity Fund expenditures come to the UWMC Administrative Committee through the Director of Impact and CEO. The Administrative Committee approves all Opportunity Fund expenditures and promptly reports them to the board.
Applicants – which must be 501(c)(3) organizations – apply via a letter, not to exceed two pages, to UWMC Director of Impact Eric Legvold, describing the project for which they are seeking funding. Proposals must include a specific dollar amount requested and an itemized budget, including all other funding sources for the project, if any. UWMC may request additional information to support the request.
Opportunity Fund requests are considered on an as-received basis, either at a special meeting to discuss the request, at a meeting convened via Zoom, or via an electronic voting process. Application letters are circulated to the committee in advance. Grants are generally limited to $5,000, although exceptions may be made.
Capital Emergency Fund
United Way of Missoula County maintains a Capital Emergency Fund of $20,000 annually. Grants from the fund address one-time, nonrecurring capital emergencies at nonprofit health and human services agencies in Missoula, Mineral, or Ravalli counties that are not covered by the applicant’s insurance policy. The Emergency Fund is administered by UWMC’s Administrative Committee.
Applicants – which must be 501(c)(3) organizations – seeking a Capital Emergency Fund grant must apply via a letter, not to exceed two pages, to UWMC Director of Impact Eric Legvold, describing the emergency and how they plan to address it. Applicants should include an estimate of the total cost of replacement or repair, request a specific dollar amount, and list any other sources of funds for the repair/replacement project, including documentation of any insurance payments or expenses not covered by insurance. UWMC may request additional information to support the request. Grants do not exceed $10,000.
Capital Emergency Fund requests are considered on an as-received basis, either at a special meeting to discuss the request, at a meeting convened via Zoom, or via an electronic voting process. Application letters are circulated to the committee in advance.
