The Montana 250th Commission has announced nearly $420,000 in grants to 32 organizations across the state to mark America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The $419,721 in funding will support projects that celebrate Montana’s culture and heritage while connecting communities to the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Following a call for proposals in September, the Commission received 84 applications requesting a total of $2.4 million. A review committee evaluated submissions and made recommendations to the full Commission, which approved the final awards at its December meeting.
“From Kalispell to Ekalaka, Sidney to Butte, these grants reflect Montana’s commitment to commemorating this historic milestone in ways that highlight the unique character of our state and its people,” said Commission Chair Chris Averill. “From Indigenous history exhibits to veterans’ memorials, oral history projects, and educational programs, these initiatives give Montanans the opportunity to engage with our shared history and connect with one another.”
Grant Recipients and Projects
The funded projects span the state and include a diverse range of commemorative activities:
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Little Big Horn College – The Way of the Warrior: Crow Indian Intertribal Warfare in Defense of Crow Country – $32,874
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Montana Arts Council – Montana 12,250 Anthology – $30,000
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Humanities Montana – Montana Conversations: Our Montana Voices – $25,000
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Chickadee Community Services – IndigiPalooza MT – $25,000
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Northwest Montana Historical Society – Indigenous Northwest Montana History Exhibit Update – $23,300
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City of Hardin – The Power of Place: Voices of Big Horn County GPS Audio Tour – $20,000
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Montana Jewish Project – Living Stories of Jewish Montana – $20,000
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Museum of the Rockies – America at 250: History Comes Alive at Museum of the Rockies – $18,062
Additional projects range from community murals and oral history programs to educational workshops and veterans’ memorials. All grants align with the Commission’s guiding themes: “Doing History,” “Our Ongoing American Experiment,” and “The Power of Place,” and must be completed and publicly accessible by December 31, 2026.
The Montana 250th Commission was created by the 2023 Montana Legislature to coordinate statewide efforts commemorating the U.S. semiquincentennial. The 2025 Montana Legislature provided $1 million in funding, including the grants awarded to the organizations.
“The Commission is grateful to the Legislature for its support, and to Governor Gianforte for signing HB 2 into law,” Averill said. “We are committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely on projects that celebrate the history of America, Montana, and our Tribal Nations, and that educate Montanans about our shared civic responsibilities.”
By BSB Staff