The Montana Community Foundation, Inc. (MCF) and Nemont Manor Foundation are pleased to award $50,000 in grants to ten organizations that benefit the Valley County community. The Valley County Masonic Endowment was established at MCF by the Nemont Manor Foundation in 2022.

“We are excited to award the first grants from the Valley County Masonic Endowment to support some outstanding community projects,” said Jim Rector, board chair of the Nemont Manor Foundation.

Grant requests were reviewed by the Valley County Masonic Endowment Committee. Awardees include:

• $12,046 to the City of Glasgow for the new swimming pool.
• $1,000 to the Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center to establish the Valley County Basic Needs Project to provide resources to those struggling with basic needs in the community.
• $3,275 to the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council, Inc. to replace skylights and add ventilation at the historic Fort Peck Theatre.
• $1,000 to the Glasgow City-County Library (via Two Rivers Economic Growth Inc) for the summer reading program.
• $3,000 to the Glasgow School District for the Key Club’s snack pack program at Glasgow K-12 schools.
• $5,000 to Hinsdale School District to improve the Hillman Field as an outdoor recreational space in Hisdale.
• $800 for the Nashua Senior Citizens to replace the kitchen range at the Nashua Senior Citizens building.
• $1,379 to the Opheim Development. Inc (via Two Rivers Economic Growth Inc) for upgrades to the Outpost Café in Opheim.

“We are grateful for this grant from the Valley County Masonic Endowment,” said Kristine Bowman, educator at Hinsdale Public School. “Work has begun on the Hillman Field project, and support, such as this, from local partners is helping make the Hillman Field a welcoming place for people to play and exercise. We hope to have a softball diamond in place for Milk River Days and an improved track surface for cross country season.”

The Nemont Manor Foundation will present these $50,000 in grants at the Cottonwood Inn & Suites on June 6, 2023 at 6:00 pm.

The Valley County Masonic Endowment Fund was established at MCF by the Nemont Manor Foundation with proceeds from the sale of Nemont Manor, an affordable housing facility in Glasgow that was built more than 40 years ago and managed by the Valley County Masons.

The Nemont Manor is now owned by Silver Tree Residential, a group that acquires, rehabilitates, and permanently preserves affordable housing units which were originally developed under HUD programs. Their goal is to ensure the long-term affordability of units for current and future residents.

“We are honored Nemont Manor Foundation has partnered with MCF to award these grants that benefit the community,” said Mary Rutherford, MCF president and chief executive officer. “The endowment is already having a meaningful impact and will provide forever support to the Valley County community.”

To support the Valley County Masonic Endowment, donations can be made online here or mailed to the Montana Community Foundation at PO Box 1145, Helena, MT 59624-1145. Please write “Valley County Masonic Endowment” in the memo line.

For questions, please contact MCF Program Officer Taylor Crowl.