Ann, Author at Missoula Community Foundation

Women’s Giving Circle Grant Awarded to Montana Legal Services Association

The Housing Justice Project at Montana Legal Services Association was awarded a $15,000 grant from the Women’s Giving Circle of Missoula County.

The Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) is a non-profit law firm that seeks to protect and enhance the civil legal rights of, and promote systemic change for Montanans living in poverty, including those in Missoula County. Their Housing Justice Project aims to provide civil legal assistance to low-income Missoula residents who are facing housing-related legal problems, including unlawful rental fees, unsafe housing conditions, eviction, and more.

MLSA describes Missoula’s housing crisis as “a spiral that far too many of our friends and neighbors have found themselves trapped in.” Many are just one unexpected bill or illness away from being unable to pay their rent and fall into a spiral that often ends in eviction and reliance on the limited shelter system. The legal aid that MLSA provides families in their time of crises can significantly reduce the likelihood that a family will be evicted, interrupting the spiral at a key moment.

The two organizations that were runners-up for the grant award will each receive a $1,000 unrestricted gift from the Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) to support their life-changing work. The Poverello Center’s Medical Respite program provides a sanctuary for individuals experiencing homelessness while recovering from an acute illness or injury. And the United Way of Missoula County’s Housing Solutions Fund provides flexible funding to help individuals resolve housing barriers, such as rental deposit, rent and utilities in arrears, transportation and reunification costs, personal identification fees, and rental application fees.

The WGC, which is 88 members strong this year, has granted $64,000 to the Missoula community since its inception in 2018. Membership is open to all women and nonbinary individuals in Missoula who are interested in collective giving – together, the WGC decides on the focus of their grant making, learns about that focus through educational events and determines grant awards. Learn more here.

by Ann

Fostering Trust and Making a Difference

Many people are not aware of the extent to which America’s charitable organizations help improve quality of life in our communities. From social services to the arts, virtually every aspect of our lives is touched by the work of nonprofits. Indeed, the gifts Americans give to charity every year total more than $557 billion and provide critical support for nearly 1.5 million organizations that are helping communities thrive.

Research shows that trust continues to be an important factor in charitable giving. Unfortunately, high levels of trust sometimes can be hard to achieve; 73% of donors surveyed said they felt that it is very important to trust a charity before giving, but only 19% say they highly trust charities.

So what should you do if you know you want to support a particular organization but you’ve not quite yet gained a level of trust to go “all in?” Or what if you want to support an overall area of community need but you’re not sure which organizations are best aligned with the results you want your charitable gifts to achieve? Or what if you’re fairly certain you know the specific organizations that are addressing your areas of interest right now, but you’re concerned that this “fit” might change over time as needs shift and charities evolve?

The community foundation can help in situations like these and many others like them. Here are three examples:

–If you’ve established a donor-advised fund at the community foundation to organize your giving, lean on the team at the community foundation for insights into which charities are best suited to achieve your goals for impact at any given time. Our team stays up to date on local charities, their priorities, and their programs and staff. We can provide information and insights to help you make informed decisions.

–If you’re committed to supporting a specific charity but you’d rather not give the money outright, you could consider setting up a designated fund at the community foundation to make distributions to the charity according to parameters you set. Because the charity receives the money in increments every year, charitable dollars remaining in the fund are protected from the charity’s creditors if the charity were to fall on hard times.

–If you’d like the community foundation to help out even more, you might consider establishing a field-of-interest fund so that the community foundation team can deploy its expertise in selecting charities that are best suited from year to year to achieve your goals for community impact.

–To ensure that the mission of the community foundation itself stays strong and that dollars will flow to support critical community needs for generations, you can establish an unrestricted fund at the community foundation. You can add to the unrestricted fund during your lifetime, such as through gifts of appreciated stock, and you can also include a gift to the fund in your estate plan through your will or an IRA beneficiary designation.

The community foundation is unique in its structure as a perpetual institution governed by an independent board of directors. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our region across generations by connecting donors to the causes they care about and leading on critical community issues. We’re honored to work alongside you and your family as you build trust with the charitable organizations that are making a difference for everyone who lives and works in the community we love

by Ann

Missoula Community Foundation Hosts Panel Discussion on Sunsetting Tax Law

Planning for Change: Navigating the End of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act

Be the Change Education Series: Educational Events for Philanthropy & Community Giving

The Missoula Community Foundation, in partnership with Parsons Behle & Latimer, is hosting a post-election panel discussion, Planning for Change: Navigating the End of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act on Tuesday, November 12 from 4-6PM at the downtown offices of Parsons Behle & Latimer.

As the Tax Cut and Jobs Act sunsets in 2025, individuals and their advisors must prepare for potential shifts in tax policy. Join our panel of experts—a CPA, financial advisor, and estate planner—for a timely discussion on what to expect when the law expires.

Explore how these changes could impact financial planning and charitable giving and learn what steps professionals are recommending to their clients. Discover strategies you can use to mitigate the impact and make the most of your charitable contributions in this evolving landscape.

The panel will feature Josh Gimpelson of RBC Wealth Management, Ross Keogh of Parsons Behle & Latimer, and Russell Rice of Eide Bailly; and will be moderated by Julie Sirrs of Boone Karlberg.

Drinks and appetizers will be served, and all are welcome. Please register and let us know you are coming.

Panelists

Josh Gimpelson, RBC Wealth Management

After graduating from The George Washington University in Washington D.C., Josh and his wife moved to western Montana. Josh began his career with Oppenheimer and Company in 2002 as a junior partner on a financial advisor team specializing in managing assets and portfolios for executives and employees of small-cap energy and pharmaceutical companies across the country. After joining Smith Barney in 2005 and subsequently UBS Financial Services in 2008, Josh expanded his practice to include a team specializing in wealth and financial management.

Over the last eight years, Josh worked closely with technology executives, business owners and professionals on wealth planning, including stock option analysis, concentrated stock position strategies, tax-considerate investment practices and estate planning services.

Josh believes in making his clients’ lives easier and more fulfilling. Through his career, Josh learned that it’s the people you surround yourself with who truly elevate your life. This is what Josh aims to do in his financial services practice. While based in Missoula, Montana, he spends time working with clients throughout the west and spends a significant amount of time in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.

Josh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and information systems from George Washington University, where he was a four-year member and captain of the water polo team. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Josh and his wife, Megan, have two children and live in Missoula. Josh loves Montana and anything outdoors. He can often be found at local ski area Montana Snowbowl, skinning up a backcountry peak or trail running through Glacier National Park. He is involved with several nonprofits including the Missoula Art Museum, Missoula Food Bank and Five Valleys Land Trust.

Ross Keogh, Parsons Behle & Latimer

Ross Keogh is a shareholder in the firm’s rapidly growing Missoula, Montana office. His practice focuses on helping clients create and manage tax-efficient business structures and capital syndication, particularly in the context of start-ups, real estate and the Opportunity Zone incentive.

A member of Parsons’ energy, environment and natural resources practice group, Ross combines his extensive pre-law experience in developing large-scale renewable energy projects, a master’s degree in economics, his deep legal experience in business and real estate transactions and tax with his passion for Montana’s outdoor and rural lifestyle to deliver a unique skillset to clients.

As a leading expert on the 2017 Tax Act and the Opportunity Zones Tax Provision (section 1400Z-2), Ross provides advice to clients in tax planning and deal structuring around the creation, sale or purchase of businesses or real property. His experience as an economist and attorney enables him to directly and dynamically advise clients on the tax and business implications of transactions and to tax-efficiently structure their capital stack.

In the Intermountain West, Ross is an expert in the areas of water rights, energy and real estate law. He represents some of Montana’s largest companies before the Montana Water Court and supports developers across the Pacific Northwest with complex real estate transactions and equity placements.

Russell Rice, Eide Bailly

Russell works with a variety of clients in tax compliance for individuals, corporations and partnerships. He operates in many different industries and works extensively with multi-state companies. In addition to income tax return preparation, Russell enjoys tax consulting and planning projects aimed at identifying tax savings for his clients.

Outside of work, Russell enjoys spending time with his amazing wife and two wonderful kids. He is a big baseball fan and is always rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Julie Sirrs, Boone Karlberg

Julie received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Prior to becoming an attorney Julie was an intelligence officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency. Julie graduated with high honors from law school at The University of Montana and received a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Washington. While in law school, Julie was an intern with Boone Karlberg and also performed her clinical internship with United States District Court Judge Donald W. Molloy. After graduating from law school, she joined Boone Karlberg as an associate in 2008. Her practice areas are Elder Law, Probate and Trust Administration, Estate Planning, Business and Real Estate Transactions, and Tax and Civil Litigation. In addition to practicing law, Julie has taught courses in taxation and elder law at the University of Montana School of Law. She enjoys spending time with her husband Owen and their two children, taking advantage of the many recreational opportunities Montana offers.

by Ann

Women's Giving Circle Showcases Grant Finalists

The Women’s Giving Circle of Missoula County will hear from the three organizations selected to move forward in their 2024 grant cycle at their annual Finalist Presentations.

The presentation night will be held on Thursday, October 17 from 6-8PM at Goodworks Place, 129 West Alder Street and will focus on specific work being done by Montana Legal Services Association, The Poverello Center, and United Way of Missoula County to address homelessness and housing in our community.

Members of the WGC pool their membership gifts and provide an annual grant to a local nonprofit organization. This year the WGC has increased their annual grant award from $10,000 to $15,000 – and two unrestricted gifts of $1,000 will be given to the runner-up organizations.

The WGC has granted $64,000 to the Missoula Community since its inception in 2018. Each year the Circle collectively selects a grant focus area, facilitates education about the issue for its members and provides a forum for the grant finalists to showcase their work.

There is still time to join the Circle for the current grant cycle and vote for the award winner.

by Ann

Lunch and Learning October 7th - Estate Planning

Estate Planning: Strategies for Getting it Right

Be the Change Education Series: Educational Events for Philanthropy & Community Giving

The Missoula Community Foundation will host a lunchtime learning event, Estate Planning: Strategies for Getting it Right, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on October 7^th in the Cooper Room at Missoula Public Library.

Estate Planning Attorney Martha Goodloe will help participants understand the essential components of a solid estate plan and the benefits of incorporating charitable giving. Martha Goodloe has been helping Missoulians build impactful estate plans for the past decade and is especially skilled in helping her clients balance family and community interests.

A light lunch will be provided at the event and doors will open at 11:45 so participants can gather their lunch before the presentation begins. The presentation will begin at noon and conclude by 1:00 — and we will be available for discussion and questions until 1:30.

This event is the fourth offering in the Missoula Community Foundation’s Be the Change Education Series. This series includes presentations, workshops and panel discussions that support and encourage philanthropy in Missoula and beyond. This series is free and open to the public.

Please register and let us know you are coming!

Note: If you attended our February event, Making a Plan: The Intersection Between Charitable Giving and Estate Planning, much of the material presented will be the same.

by Ann

2024 LoLA Grant Application Now Open

The Missoula Community Foundation’s 2024 LoLA (Legacy of Living Art) grant application is now open.

LoLA grants are awarded yearly to artists and organizations that seek to engage creativity to nurture and support healing. Proposed projects should have outcomes that provide opportunities for things such as creative expression, respite, social interaction, and enhancement of the human spirit.

Last year’s LoLA grant was awarded to No Joke Theater, a transformational theater program for individuals in pre-release programs or under court-ordered supervision, as well as members of the recovery community. LoLA funding supported four local summer performances of Fellowship Hall, an authentic and expertly crafted glimpse into the common interactions of those in recovery from drugs and/or alcohol.

The LoLA Committee awards grants totaling up to 25% of the fund each year and anticipates funding two to three projects for the 2024 application round -- granting out approximately $8,000.

View past awardees and learn more here – and apply here. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2024.

by Ann

Aug. 21 | Women’s Giving Circle Hosts Panel on Homelessness & Housing

The Women’s Giving Circle of Missoula County (WGC) will host a panel discussion on homelessness and housing -- Wednesday, August 21st at the Missoula Public Library’s Imaginarium from 5:30-7:00PM.

The WGC hosts an educational event each year to explore and better understand their grant focus. This year’s event will feature: Emily Armstrong, Houseless Programs Manager, City of Missoula; Anne Geiger, Strategic Initiatives Manager, City of Missoula; Colin Lane, MMW Architects & Member of the Affordable Housing Resident Oversight Committee; Jim Bachand, Executive Director, Missoula Organization of Realtors (MOR) and Brint Wahlberg, Board President, MOR. WGC Steering Committee Chair, Dawn Payne, will moderate the discussion.

The WGC will grant $17,000 this year to organizations addressing homelessness and housing in our community. One grant of $15,000 and two $1,000 gifts will be awarded. The grant application is now open and closes on August 30.

The WGC is a program of the Missoula Community Foundation and has granted $64,000 to local non-profits since its inception in 2018. The Circle includes nearly 100 women and non-binary philanthropists of all ages and backgrounds who pool their resources to contribute to positive change and amplify their impact.

The panel discussion is free and open to the public -- participants are encouraged to RSVP here.

by Ann

Seminar on September 24th - Understanding Trusts

Estate Essentials: Understanding Trusts

Be the Change Education Series: Educational Events for Philanthropy & Community Giving

The Missoula Community Foundation’s Be The Change Education Series continues this fall with Estate Essentials: Understanding Trusts – an evening of learning about family and charitable trusts featuring estate attorney Martha Goodloe. This educational presentation and Q&A will be held on Tuesday, September 24 from 5:30-7:00 PM at The Confluence Center, 119 West Main Street.

Trusts can be a valuable tool in your estate planning and we hope that after the presentation, participants will:

Have a good understanding of how trusts work and who can benefit from them
Be comfortable and equipped to sit down with their professional service provider to discuss how they might incorporate a trust in their estate plan.

The doors will open at 5:00PM and a light meal will be provided. The presentation will begin at 5:30 and conclude by 7:00 — and we will be available for discussion and questions until 7:30.

The Missoula Community Foundation’s Be the Change Education Series includes presentations, workshops and panel discussions that support and encourage philanthropy in Missoula and beyond. The series is free and open to the public.

by Ann

Women's Giving Circle Opens 2024 Grant Application

The Women’s Giving Circle of Missoula County (WGC) is pleased to invite non-profit organizations addressing homelessness and housing in our community to apply for their 2024 grant. The application is now open and submissions will be accepted through August.

The WGC is delighted to offer a $15,000 grant award this year, a significant increase from the $10,000 grants it has awarded for the past six years. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their programs, services, mission, etc. impact homelessness and housing in Missoula County and embody the Circle’s core values of community, equity, and opportunity.

Three finalists will be chosen from the initial pool of applicants, and these organizations will each make a presentation to the Circle membership, which will then vote to select the grant winner. Finalists that do not receive the $15,000 grant will each be gifted $1,000 in unrestricted funds for their work.

An educational panel to explore the grant focus is part of each WGC grant cycle. The panel on homelessness and housing will be held on August 21st at the Missoula Public Library's Imaginarium from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested.

Applications will be accepted from July 15 through August 30 and can be submitted here.

by Ann

New Missoula Nonprofit Directory

The Missoula Community Foundation has just launched The Missoula Nonprofit Directory, a new community resource that aims to be a robust, up-to-date, easily searchable guide to Missoula’s nonprofit sector. The directory is the first of its kind in Missoula. It will help donors and grant makers direct their charitable giving, introduce newcomers to our dynamic nonprofit sector, and showcase the vital work being done.

The Missoula Nonprofit Directory currently includes descriptions and contact information for over two hundred local organizations. The information was collected and compiled during Missoula Gives, the local giving day that is managed by the Missoula Community Foundation.

The foundation will maintain and expand the directory, a project that aligns with the foundation’s mission-based work to grow the philanthropic pool and support nonprofits in Missoula.

“Our goal is to connect donors with the causes they are passionate about,” Marcy Allen, Executive Director of the Missoula Community Foundation, explains, “and this directory enables donors to easily search for nonprofits by name or cause, access contact information, and find nonprofit EIN numbers, simplifying the process of giving.” The directory lives on the Missoula Community Foundation website, MissoulaCommunityFoundation.org. Organizations that are not yet represented in the directory should visit the foundation’s website or email [email protected] to submit their information.

Nonprofit Directory

by Ann