Philanthropy

MSGR Fund 2008 Guidelines

PHILANTHROPY

Mountain Sky Guest Ranch Fund Community Grants Program
Known by guests for their caring, attentive service, the staff at Mountain Sky is also known by residents in the local community for the same thing. Throughout the year, our staff gives back to the communities in which they live and work — through their physical involvement and through grants made to non-profit organizations by the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch Fund. Established in 2002, the Fund has exceeded $1.6 million in grants.

The mission of the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch Fund is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Park and Gallatin Counties in Montana. The Mountain Sky staff is especially interested in supporting non-profit collaborations that maximize use of local resources and, in some cases, draw more services into Park County, where the Ranch is located.

The Fund traditionally makes grants for a period of one year. The Mountain Sky staff will consider funding for additional years based on demonstrated growth in three areas: new and diversified funding sources; increased impact on the community; and innovative leadership in collaborations.

For 2008, the Fund will support projects in the following areas:

Trails
The Fund seeks creative nonprofit efforts to plan, develop and maintain walking and hiking trails in Park and Gallatin counties, as well as to promote and ensure access to and usage of existing trails. The Fund’s emphasis is on access for youth and families with children.

Preference will be given to ideas that are particularly innovative and those that leverage additional resources and influence from the business community, individuals and other foundations. The Fund is especially interested in ideas that strengthen connections between communities. The Fund is interested in opportunities to have two or more nonprofit organizations working together in service of a common goal. Preference will be given to approaches that draw additional resources and opportunities into Park County. Completed proposals must be received by Friday, Feb. 15, 2008.

Youth Empowerment and Development
The Fund seeks creative nonprofit efforts to improve youth development in Park and Gallatin counties. The Fund is especially interested in programs that empower youth through the challenges of physical activity and outdoor adventure, including innovations that make use of the natural resources in Paradise Valley. The Fund is especially interested in innovations that involve youth in service projects as part of this work.

Preference will be given to innovations that expand opportunities for youth participation beyond current levels in Park and Gallatin counties. The Fund seeks creative approaches to expanding opportunity and does not intend to fund existing programs at their current levels of participation. The Fund is interested in opportunities to have two or more nonprofit organizations working together in service of a common goal. Preference will be given to approaches that draw additional resources and opportunities into Park County. Completed proposals must be received by Friday, Feb. 15, 2008.

MSGR Organizational Investment Grants
In 2008, the MSGR Fund will make grants for operating support to a small number nonprofit organizations in the community. These grant awards will be based on an organizations’ track record of producing impact for the community and its potential for impact going forward. The Fund will consider an organization’s ability to build a diverse funding base and to show leadership in collaborative efforts. The grant awards go toward ongoing operating support for recipient organizations. For 2008, the Fund will invite organizations to apply for these grant awards.