2005 Gianforte Foundation Launch: $105,384 to 8 groups
The Gianforte Family Charitable Trust is a private foundation that’s located in Bozeman, MT. What began as a small private grantmaker in 2004, the Gianforte Family Foundation has grown substantially, giving to four focus areas:
Jobs, Education, and Entrepreneurship,
Families and the Vulnerable,
Christian Outreach and Discipleship, and
Bozeman Arts and Culture.
The following chart highlights the Gianforte Family Foundation upward giving trend in providing grants of $97 million from 2005 through 2021, as described in the Foundation’s Annual reports.
Based on the most recent public record, the Foundation's 2022 Annual Giving reported distributing $10,873,350, which is 72 times the annual giving in 2005 of $150,384. Let’s take a closer look at who received the initial eight grants from the Gianforte Family Foundation. Source: Form 990-PF for period ending December 2005.
The following descriptions were pulled from an archived webpage that listed 2013 grantees by focus area, which included the below-mentioned 2005 grantees that were still receiving funding. The public was invited to: “Please visit their sites to learn their missions and see some of the work the foundation is doing.” In some cases, the organizational description omits that it is a faith-based organization. It begs the question as to why theology was missing – is it assumed that all of the funded groups are Christian-based?
Valuing and Protecting the Vulnerable
Aslan provides relationship-driven programs that impact and empower at-risk youth.
Blog Note: The purpose for each of Aslan’s programs is to impact the whole person. This is accomplished by encouraging youth to reach their greatest potential in relationship to their fellow man, while finding their ultimate purpose through a vibrant, living relationship with Jesus Christ. Source: Aslan Website
Total Grants Funded 2005-2020 $1,113,081
2. Roc Wheels
ROC Wheels provides mobility and hope to people in developing countries by bringing them specialized wheelchairs.
Blog Note: ROC Wheels (Reach Out & Care Wheels) is a faith-based non-profit 501(c)(3) that fits wheelchairs and gait trainers to children who need them around the world. Source: ROC Website
Total Grants Funded 2005-2020 $123,800
Compassion International Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.
Total Grants Funded 2005-2020 $38,840
Jobs, Education and the Family
Petra Academy Petra Academy is an ACCS-accredited classical and Christian school - serving the greater Bozeman community with quality education for grades pre-kindergarten (K-4) through twelve.
Blog Note: Gianforte family has been deeply involved with four children graduating, donations, and serving as a school board trustee. Source: Capitol Watch: Governor Greg Gianforte’s Connections to Petra Academy
Total Grants Funded 2005-2020 $13,711,536
5. Steven’s Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology, The Innovation University®, is a premier, private research university situated in Hoboken, N.J.
Blog Note: “The Gianforte Family Academic Center was established in 2017 in recognition of the legacy of Greg Gianforte ‘83 as an alumnus and donor, along with his father and alumnus Frank Gianforte ’58. The Gianforte Family Charitable Trust made a gift of $10 million in September 2012, and a second gift of $10 million in December 2016 toward the creation of an Academic Center. Source: Announcement 09-28-27 Naming of the Gianforte Academic Center
Total Grants Funded 2005-2020 $2,135,000
The Montana Family Institute partners with churches and other organizations to perform research, offer Biblical worldview training, and host connecting opportunities for Montana families.
Blog Note: Greg and Susan Giaforte previously served as Trustees. According to the IRS, the Montana Family Foundation is a related entity of the Montana Family Institute. The mission for each entity is excerpted from the Montana Foundation website:
Montana Family Institute – Tax Deductible
The Montana Family Institute provides education, networking, and research on behalf of Montana Families. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, donations to this entity are tax deductible.
Montana Family Foundation – Non Tax Deductible
The Montana Family Foundation (MFF) advocates for the traditional family in Montana through education, lobbying, and limited political activity. As a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, the IRS gives us more freedom to spend funds on political activity, but donations are not tax deductible. If you do not need a tax deduction, it would be more effective to give to the Foundation.
Total Grants Funded 2005-2020 $2,697,317
Christian Outreach and Discipleship
Cru exists to help fulfill the Great Commission by winning, building and sending in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Blog Note: Campus Crusade for Christ, also known as CRU.
Total Grants Funded 2005-2020 $788,220
8. Young Life
Young Life shares the truth of God’s love with adolescents, reaching out to middle school, high school and college students in friendship and hope.
Blog Note: The Young Life website states: Our Mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith.
Total Grants Funded 2005-2020 $297,750
These 8 Organizations received grants totally
$20,905,544 from 2005-2020
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The Gianforte Family Foundation website articulates its donation framework as “giving to initiatives that align with their mission, vision, and focus.” In 2017, a news article explored Greg Gianforte, then-Republican candidate for Montana’s vacant U.S. House seat, long-standing financial relationship with the Montana Family Foundation, whose website banner invites the viewer to Partner with us to advance Faith, Family & Freedom!
“When asked last week why the Gianforte Charitable Trust has supported the Institute side of the operation, Gianforte said the group’s mission aligns with his views.
“I am a conservative. And I believe that conservative views in government lead to increased prosperity. Conservative views support lower taxes, less regulation, letting people keep the fruits of their labor and good government policy.”
Asked last fall about his trust's donations, Gianforte emphasized the money could not be used politically.” Source: Greg Gianforte is significant backer of Montana foundation that promotes conservative values. 2017
Clearly, conservative Christian values guide the foundation’s funding decision-making. The fundamental question to ponder: What is the intersection of Greg Gianforte’s personal beliefs as executed with Foundation dollars and his conservative politics and power as Governor of Montana?
In the next blog, we’ll take a road trip and find out who received funding from the Gianforte Family and where they are located.
Sources:
