There aren’t a ton of grantmaking foundations located in Montana, but the ones that are have been giving big lately. In fact, among all the states in the Northwest, grantmaking in Montana is growing the fastest. This state is home to just over a million people, but charitable giving here rose 61 percent over a two-year period.

According to Philanthropy Northwest data, around 20 percent of Montana grants back education lately, representing almost one-fifth of total funding. One of the largest education grants ($7 million) came from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and went to the University of Montana Foundation in Missoula.

However, the topic of environment and animals is a close second issue area in terms of philanthropic dollars spent in Montana. Approximately 19 percent of total grantmaking supports this area lately, which is considerably more than the 7 percent funding environment and animals overall in the Northwest. One example grantee is the Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which received a $40,000 Montana Community Foundation grant for stream restoration.

Read the source article at Inside Philanthropy