Geographical Areas

The Steele-Reese Foundation makes grants only to charitable organizations operating in the western states of Idaho and Montana, and in the Southern Appalachian mountain region of eastern Kentucky. .

Restrictions

No grants are made to individuals or to organizations that have not been recognized as exempt by the Internal Revenue Service. All organizations will be required to submit proof of tax-exempt status as part of their application packages.

Grant Amounts

Grants generally vary in size from $5,000 to (rarely) over $150,000. Larger grants are typically paid in installments over a three-, four-, or five-year period. In many cases, grants are payable only after the grantee has raised either a matching amount or the entire remaining balance for the proposed project.

In Montana, Idaho, and southern Appalachia, the foundation confines itself to direct grants of over $5,000. Proposals that might justify smaller grants are referred to one of three regional community foundations. Those smaller grants are made at the discretion of the community foundations from funds furnished by Steele-Reese. For information about the community foundations, and to inquire about their grant-making policies and guidelines, contact the appropriate organization directly. The three foundations can be reached as follows:

The Montana Community Foundation
Attn: Linda Reed, Executive Director
101 North Last Chance Gulch, Suite 211
Helena, Montana 59601

The Idaho Community Foundation
Attn: Alice E. Hennessey, President
PO Box 8143
Boise, Idaho 83707

Blue Grass Community Foundation
Attn: Anne E. Nash, J.D.
President & CEO
250 West Main Street, Suite 1220
Lexington, Kentucky 40507-1714
859-225-3343
www.bgcf.org