Community Investment Program (CIP) Grants

Community Investment Program (CIP) Grants is sponsored by Cherokee Strip Community Foundation (established by Grid United). The Community Investment Program (CIP) supports innovative projects that enhance the quality of life and strengthen communities in Cimarron and Texas Counties in Northwest Oklahoma, where Grid United's Three Corners Connector will be located.

Montana Community Foundation | Community Investment Program Community Investment Program More pages in this section Community Investment Program Community Investment Program Strengthening communities in Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon County The Community Investment Program (CIP) was established at the Montana Community Foundation by Grid United.

CIP supports communities in Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon County, as well as the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, where Grid United’s North Plains Connector, a transmission line connecting U.S. eastern and western electric grids in Montana and North Dakota, will be located.

Grid United is dedicated to partnering with these communities; as a result, CIP funds support innovative projects that enhance quality of life while strengthening communities in this corner of Eastern Montana. The program is open, and CIP has two application cycles each year. In 2026 , the first application deadline is Friday, May 1, and the second is Sunday, November 1 .

Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or government entity, such as a local government, tribal government, or school district. Non-501(c)(3) nonprofits may be eligible; please contact Peter Baker, Impact Programs Director, at 406-218-6324 to discuss eligibility. Individuals and for-profits are ineligible; however, individuals and for-profits may apply through a fiscal sponsor that is eligible.

Applicants who have applied for previous grant cycles may apply for subsequent grant cycles for different phases of their project. Applicants do not need to be based in Rosebud, Custer, or Fallon County; however, grants must be used for projects benefiting communities in these counties. Only one application is allowed per organization.

Grants will be up to $50,000. For funding needs greater than $50,000, please contact Peter Baker, Impact Programs Director, at peter@mtcf. org or 406-218-6324.

CIP will grant to projects that: Have a broad impact on the quality of life for a significant number of people in Rosebud, Custer, or Fallon County. Propose ways to address community issues and problems. Leverage other sources of support.

Encourage others to get involved in addressing community needs. Are creative in their approach to solving problems or capturing opportunities. Are responsive to changing and emerging needs.

Support innovative approaches to economic and community development. See the full guidelines here. Ready to apply for funding?

A total of $250,763 was awarded to support community-driven projects across Custer, Fallon, and Rosebud counties, as well as the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. These investments supported 14 organizations, advancing initiatives in education, public safety, healthcare, community development, and the arts throughout the region.

Organization: Miles City Public Library Overview: CIP Award/Preliminary Architectural Report Organization: Baker Arts & Culture Council Overview: Reigniting the Fallon County Community Theater Organization: Forsyth Public Schools Overview: Updates to the High School Multipurpose Room Organization: Miles Community College Overview: Accelerating Credentials Initiative – Rosebud County Organization: Custer County Rural Volunteer Fire Company Overview: Replacement of Ventilation Fan Organization: Custer Network Against Domestic Abuse Overview: To establish new community hub Organization: Keep Miles City Beautiful Overview: Welcome to Downtown Miles City Signage Organization: Convent Keepers Overview: Electrical Upgrade of Parlor & Conference Room Organization: Miles City Public Library Overview: Lighting Improvement Project Organization: Range Riders Inc Overview: Upgrade Security Phase 2 – Adjacent Buildings & Parking Lot Organization: Washington Middle School Overview: West Playground Improvements Organization: Waterworks Art Museum Overview: Concrete Repairs on the Outdoor Basin Organization: Elizabeth Scott Wellness Initiative Overview: Elizabeth Hospital Floors and Insulation Organization: Elizabeth Scott Wellness Initiative Overview: For Willard Community Club – Willard Hall Floors and Insulation Organization: Fallon County Mental Health Council Overview: Community Mental Health Billboards Organization: Miles Community College Overview: Accelerating Credentials Initiative – Fallon County Organization: Southeastern Montana Area Revitalization Team (SMART) Overview: Baker Downtown Master Plan Custer County Grants: $150,639 to 10 projects Organization: Highland Park School Overview: To fund the renovation of an early childhood and special needs playground.

Organization: Keep Miles City Beautiful Overview: To enhance the appearance and functionality of the underpass in Miles City. Organization: Kinsey Irrigation District Overview: To convert the historic Kinsey Scale House into a free, public museum. Organization: Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce Overview: To fund a pigeon mitigation project.

Organization: Miles City Convent Keepers Overview: To replace the sidewalk outside the property. Organization: Miles City Public Library Overview: Funding to complete a Preliminary Architectural Report (PAR) for future renovations.

Organization: Miles Community College Overview: To fund the Accelerating Credentials Initiative, which will equip high school students with credentials in healthcare, transportation, and career readiness, helping address regional workforce shortages. Organization: Milestown Community Improvement, Inc. Overview: To fund an assessment of the Frog Pool and Splash Pad to address maintenance issues.

Organization: Range Riders Museum Overview: To upgrade the security system at the museum. Organization: Sacred Heart School Overview: To fund the exterior door replacement.

Fallon County Grants: $84,770 to 5 projects Organization: City of Baker Overview: To fund the RV wastewater dump station at Steven Mclain / Walt Kreager Park Organization: Elizabeth Scott Wellness Initiative Overview: To fund the roof, windows, and electrical systems at Elizabeth Scott Hospital in Baker.

Organization: Fallon County Overview: To equip Fallon County EMS with advanced training devices, including instructor kits, manikins, and simulators to enhance the skills of its EMTs and paramedics.

Organization: Plevna School Overview: To construct an ADA-accessible restroom in the north hallway of Plevna School to meet the needs of special education students Organization: Willard Community Club Overview: To fund the Willard Community Club to restore Willard Hall. Rosebud County Grants : $75,250 to 6 projects Organization: Forever Forsyth Inc. Overview: To implement comprehensive wayfinding signage in Forsyth.

Organization: Implement comprehensive wayfinding signage in Forsyth. Overview: Funding to expand the Riverside disc golf course in Forsyth. Organization: Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Overview: To fund community and school performances in Rosebud County.

Organization: Mountain Health Gives Overview: To fund glasses and lenses for Little Peeps Mobile Eye Exams in Rosebud County. Organization: Rosebud Search and Rescue Overview: Funding to upgrade and replace essential search and rescue equipment. Organization: St.

Labre Indian School Educational Association, Inc. Overview: Funding for the “Inchy’s Bookwork” Pre-K – 4th grade reading initiative. Organization: Custer County Firefighters Association Overview: A rope rescue kit, which will allow firefighters to better serve the public, particularly for low-angle rescue emergencies.

Organization: Custer County Food Bank Overview: To remodel a storage room into a packaging room, allowing the food bank to accept and repackage additional donations. Organization: Custer County Sheriff’s Office Protective Association Overview: For search and rescue tracks for a UTV, which will enhance response times in challenging terrains.

Organization: Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce Overview: To complete two murals in downtown Miles City, increasing public art to attract both residents and visitors. Organization: Baker Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture Overview: For “Insight Baker,” a program that will use data to understand the 52,000 visitors in Baker each year and how local businesses can use this information.

Organization: Elizabeth Scott Wellness Initiative Overview: To replace the HVAC and plumbing and repair the roof of the Elizabeth Hospital building, which will be used to host wellness activities for the community. Organization: O’Fallon Historical Society Overview: To purchase a trackless train, which will enhance the O’Fallon Historical Museum’s programming and be available at community events.

Organization: Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team (SMART) Overview: To conduct a preliminary architectural report on a historic building to determine whether it can be rehabilitated into a theater for Baker. Organization: Schoolhouse History & Art Center Overview: T o restore flooring and replace siding on the historic building, which is an arts center offering exhibits, classes, and community events.

Organization: Forsyth Golf Foundation Overview: For landscaping at the Forsyth Golf Club, which will enhance the look of the golf course for visitors and community members. Organization: Custer County Food Bank, Inc. Overview: To purchase a transport van for the Custer County Food Bank.

Organization: Custer County Sheriff’s Office Protective Association Overview: To purchase PPE for the reserve unit of the Custer County Sheriff’s Office Organization: Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce Overview: For murals on buildings in downtown Miles City Organization: Miles City Convent Keepers Overview: To upgrade the electrical panel and wiring in the Miles City Convent Keepers Organization: Miles City Public Library Overview: For interior upgrades, including flooring improvements.

Organization: Miles City Wrestling Club Overview: To install an air return system and sound dampening panels. Organization: Miles City Youth Baseball Overview: To purchase and renovate a property into an indoor practice facility. Organization: Range Riders Museum Overview: To remove and upgrade carpeting in the Range Riders Museum.

Organization: Timberline Disc Golf Inc Overview: To construct a disc golf course at Woodruff Park.

Organization: Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Overview: To repaint the 3rd Street Spartan Feed between Highway 12 and Baker High School Organization: Elizabeth Scott Wellness Initiative Overview: To stabilize the foundation and replace the roof of the Elizabeth Hospital, so it can be used as a space for wellness education and practices for the community.

Organization: Eastern Montana Economic Development Authority Overview: For playground equipment for the Child Care Project, which will create 38 new licensed, affordable childcare slots in Fallon County. Organization: Town of Plevna Overview: To stabilize the one-room Sieler Schoolhouse and transport it to Plevna to be used as a museum and heritage center.

Organization: Forever Forsyth Inc Overview: To complete a downtown master plan for Forsyth. Organization: Forsyth Golf Foundation Overview: To purchase a John Deere Rough Mower to efficiently mow the roughs. Organization: Forsyth Public Schools Overview: To purchase portable bleachers for Forsyth Public Schools.

Organization: Friends of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Overview: To support Montana Shakespear in the Parks programming in Rosebud County. Organization: Rosebud County Search and Rescue Overview: To purchase equipment for Rosebud County Search and Rescue.

Organization: Bicentennial Library of Colstrip Overview: To purchase four hotspots and associated services for the Bicentennial Library in Colstrip, which is a branch of the Rosebud County Library. Organization: Northern Cheyenne Food Pantry Overview: To purchase a vehicle, licensing and insurance, permits and fees for site preparation, and freezers for the Northern Cheyenne Food Pantry. Organization : St.

Labre Indian School Educational Association Overview: To purchase a commercial cafeteria serving lines for St. Labre. Organization: Custer County Food Bank Inc Overview: To replace the carpet, repair drywall, and repaint the shopping center area at the Custer County Food Bank.

Organization: Keep Miles City Beautiful Overview: Rehabilitation of the historic gazebo and storage shed at Riverside Park. Organization: Miles City Convent Keepers Overview: To prep, scrap, and paint all the windows and install storm windows on the building. Organization: Bighorn Valley Health Center, Inc. dba One Health Overview: To renovate the Milligan Building in downtown Miles City into a patient clinic.

The patient clinic will incorporate a telemedicine hub and multidisciplinary clinical training program, along with integrated primary and preventative health care services (medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy). Organization: Outreach Clinic of Miles City Overview: Car seats for Parenting Education Classes ($2,400), training for 6 instructors in the Healthy Relationship Education curriculum ($6,750).

Organization: Range Riders Museum Overview: Replace the roof on the main log building and entrance to the Range Riders Museum. Organization: Walleyes Unlimited of Montana (Miles City Chapter) Overview: To purchase and install a restroom for the Hilleman Recreation Area. Organization: WaterWorks Art Museum Overview: Concrete repair and new roofing for the Clean Water Well, a wing of the WaterWorks Art Museum.

Organization: Baker Baseball Association Overview: Upgrades to the lighting and heating in the new indoor practice facility. Organization: Eastern Montana Economic Development Authority Overview: For a sound system for the little league baseball park. Organization: Friends of FMC Foundation Overview: To purchase new equipment for the Fallon Medical Complex.

Organization: Lakeview Ladies Association Overview: To repair the patio area at the Lakeview Golf Course. Organization: O'Fallon Historical Society Overview: To procure a Preliminary Architectural Report (PAR) for the O’Fallon Historical Museum. Organization: Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team Overview: To establish a pocket park, and the only green space, in Baker’s downtown corridor.

$15,000 Forsyth Public Schools $2,900 Pretty Eaglewoman Resource $10,300 Rosebud County Library $20,300 Colstrip Moose Lodge 2190 $9,198 Custer County Food Bank $9,000 Custer County Firefighter Association $20,000 Kiwanis Foundation of Montana $5,000 Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce $19,466 Miles City Public Library $34,500 Miles Community College $2,000 Montana Health Network $29,770 Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture $50,000 Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team (SMART) For additional help, questions or comments, contact Peter Baker , Program Director, Impact Programs.