PCCF Announces 2025 “We Will” Grant Recipients
The Park County Community Foundation (PCCF) is proud to announce the 2025 We Will grants slate, awarding nearly $400,000 to 30 nonprofit organizations working to shape a stronger, more resilient Park County. Thanks to the generous support of the community, PCCF has awarded over $2 million in We Will grants since 2007.
We Will is a resident-informed initiative that provides insight and guidance to inform the future of Park County. On an annual basis, we combine public opinion with hard data to illuminate our most pressing needs and opportunities. Then, our annual grant program prioritizes the decisions based upon the grant applications and our We Will report findings.
“Grounding our grant-making decisions in both data and citizen input is our most effective tool for deep community impact,” said Gavin Clark, PCCF Executive Director. “This year’s grants reflect the voices of Park County residents and the realities we face.”
Thank you to the many donors whose investment in the Park County Community Foundation makes possible our support for the excellent nonprofit work across our community. “By investing in the We Will Grant Program, PCCF supporters are not only funding programs—they are fueling hope, resilience, and opportunity across every corner of our county,” said Tricia Erikson, PCCF Philanthropy Director. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each individual, family, and business whose contributions made these grants a reality.”
Highlights include:
Creating Safer, Healthier Communities: From a new Safe School Zone in Shields Valley to expanded mental health and early childhood services, these grants are helping ensure that every resident—especially the youngest and most vulnerable—can thrive in a safe, supportive environment
Expanding Access to Housing and Stability: With funding for emergency housing, homebuyer education, and community land trusts, PCCF is helping local families find and keep stable homes in an increasingly competitive housing market.
Fueling Economic Opportunity: Investments in childcare cooperatives, regenerative ranching, and food security are strengthening the local economy while supporting working families and sustainable practices.
Protecting the Land We Love: Grants to conservation and environmental education programs are preserving Park County’s natural beauty and biodiversity for future generations—ensuring that our landscapes remain a source of pride and prosperity.
Celebrating Culture and Community: From storytelling workshops to youth arts programs and rural recreation improvements, these grants are enriching the cultural fabric and small-town spirit that define Park County.
this year’s grant recipients in the five Community Priority Areas are as follows:
Landscapes & Natural Amenities – $81,400 (21%)
Friends of Park County – protecting Park County’s natural beauty and resources for future generations by facilitating constructive community dialogue surrounding growth strategies.
Gallatin Valley Land Trust – to pursue their Northern Yellowstone Open Lands initiative of protecting Park County’s valuable and vulnerable private land parcels through conservation easements.
Montana Freshwater Partners – in support of Give Back to the Yellowstone, a community education and engagement project to increase awareness of natural river processes and best river protection practices.
National Parks Conservation Association – in support of the Yellowstone Pronghorn Program, which increases pronghorn habitat connectivity by engaging volunteers and fostering environmental stewardship.
Park County Environmental Council – to increase their capacity to protect Park County's public lands and advance sound land use planning in a way that reflects the collective vision of Park County residents.
Yellowstone Safe Passages – to support the Yellowstone Safe Passages Storytelling Initiative in increasing awareness, resources and collaboration related to wildlife-vehicle conflict mitigation.
Wilsall School – to fund the Ripple Effect Aquatic Learning program, enhancing student learning about the Shields Valley and the Greater Yellowstone watershed.
Small Town & Rural Lifestyle – $87,500 (22%)
Elk River Arts & Lectures – oward the Elk River Arts & Lectures Storytelling Series that gathers the community together to explore the rich history through the art and practice of storytelling.
Yellowstone Gateway Museum Foundation – in support of the 2025 Speakers Workshop Series, which examines, shares, and fosters stewardship of the extraordinary cultural and natural history of Park County.
LiveWell49 – in support of their mission to embrace a culture of health in Park County through creative community solutions and effective outreach.
Park County Senior Citizens Corporation – toward increasing participation and activities in Seniors to Seniors and Youths to Seniors programs at The Hub, a community and fitness gathering space.
Project49 – to improve the well-being of Park County residents through the funding of the Studio49 community-centered maker space, art studio and event venue.
Rural Resilience – in support of closing gaps in Park County's rural communities through funding a part-time social worker to serve the youth and families.
Town of Clyde Park – toward the Holliday Park Recreation Improvement project, creating more options for physical activity and social interaction in Clyde Park.
Economic Performance – $50,000 (13%)
Bruin Booster Club, Inc. – toward the Gardiner Public Schools Track and Field Renovation project, updating the athletic facility that serves as a community hub for hosting school and public events.
LINKS for Learning – to fulfill their mission of offering equitable access to safe, stimulating learning environments for students after school and in the summer, and further improving child care opportunities.
Park Local Development Corporation – to facilitate the Park County Child Care Cooperative’s goal of increasing childcare availability in the county by improving the cost and capacity of childcare.
Western Sustainability Exchange – to the Regenerative Ranching Program, which provides the knowledge, tools, and peer connections to empower ranchers to thrive using regenerative practices.
Housing & Affordability – $83,668 (21%)
Farm to School of Park County – toward the efforts of Deep Creek Farm and the Summer Lunch in the Park program of preserving farmland, increasing food production and teaching agricultural skills.
Giving Tree of Park County – to expand the frequency of the Giving Tree program to provide hygiene supplies, personal sport clothing, and other resources to support kids in rural areas of Park County.
HRDC of District IX - Livingston – toward the Gardiner Area Community Land Trust Education and Homebuyer Readiness Program, creating more pathways to homeownership and a stable community.
Livingston Food Resource Center – in support of the mission to create a healthier, more resilient Park County where no family has to face hunger alone.
Yellowstone Bend Citizen’s Council – in support of delivering savings to the community through the installation of solar panels at the Bluebunch Flats, an affordable housing apartment complex in Livingston.
Health, Safety, & Education – $94,500 (24%)
ASPEN – toward permanent offices and additional emergency housing to provide a safe space for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking.
CASA of Park and Sweet Grass Counties – to assist child advocates and the offering of necessary training opportunities to support child abuse or neglect victims.
Community Health Partners – to support the Park County Early Childhood Coalition in their mission to boost family knowledge and engagement through connection opportunities.
Park County/Windrider Transit – to improve the safety and effectiveness of the free health transportation Dial-A-Ride Services by purchasing and installing a camera system.
Friends of Park County Search & Rescue – to purchase a utility snowmobile and provide specialized training for the Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team to enhance their capacity for emergency response.
Park County Drop In Center – to bolster their mission of providing a safe drop-in place for adults to gather for support, socialization, and access to community services.
Shields Valley Elementary School – to create safe school zones for Shields Valley students through the installation of updated speed limit signs.
The Shane Lalani Center for the Arts – to support the Youth Education Program’s goals of increasing accessible student participation and engaging new student populations.
“Every dollar we grant is grounded in the voices of Park County residents and the data that reflects their lived experiences,” said Keva Ward, PCCF Program Manager. “These investments are not just about solving problems—they’re about building the future our community envisions.”
To learn more about the We Will initiative or to read the full 2024 We Will Report, visit www.pccf-montana.org.