The Montana 250th Commission has announced the recipients of its statewide grant program, awarding a total of $419,721 to 32 organizations across Montana to support projects commemorating America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The funded initiatives are designed to deepen public understanding of Montana’s diverse culture and heritage while fostering meaningful connections to the nation’s semiquincentennial.
The grant awards followed a competitive process that began with a call for applications in September, which attracted 84 proposals requesting more than $2.4 million in total funding. A review committee evaluated and scored each submission before presenting recommendations to the full Commission, which approved the final slate of awards during its December meeting.
According to Commission Chair Chris Averill, the selected projects reflect the geographic, cultural, and historical diversity of Montana, with recipients ranging from large cities to small rural communities. The initiatives span a wide range of activities, including Indigenous history exhibits, veterans’ memorials, oral history projects, educational programs, public art, and cultural storytelling, offering Montanans opportunities to engage with shared history and strengthen community connections.
All funded projects align with the Commission’s guiding themes of Doing History, Our Ongoing American Experiment, and The Power of Place. Each initiative must be completed and made publicly accessible by December 31, 2026, ensuring statewide participation in the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
The Montana 250th Commission was created by the Montana Legislature in 2023 to coordinate statewide efforts marking the U.S. Semiquincentennial and to promote civic engagement and historical awareness, including the history of Tribal nations. Funding for the grants comes from a $1 million legislative appropriation approved in 2025, which supports educational, cultural, and community-based activities tied to the anniversary.
In addition to the current grants, the Commission has announced a separate Montana 250 Sponsorship Program set to open in February 2026. This program will offer smaller awards to support events and activities that raise awareness of the Semiquincentennial throughout the year, further expanding opportunities for public participation across Montana.
