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Dan And Jeanne Scott Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.8M

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Dan And Jeanne Scott Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • EIN: 32-0094100
  • Annual Giving: $833,763 (2022)
  • Number of Grants: 70 awards (2022)
  • Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Montana
  • Established: 2004
  • Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
401 N. 31st Street, Suite 700
Billings, MT 59101

Phone: (406) 255-5386

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not have a formal grant application process.

Overview

The Dan And Jeanne Scott Family Foundation was established in 2004 as a private family foundation honoring Dan and Jeanne Scott, members of Montana's prominent Scott family. Dan Scott (1931-2013) served as CEO and manager of the renowned Padlock Ranch for five decades, while his wife Jeanne Isham Scott passed away in 2008 after 54 years of marriage. The foundation is administered through First Interstate Bank in Billings, reflecting the Scott family's deep connection to the banking institution founded by Dan's father, Homer Scott Sr., in 1968.

The foundation distributed $833,763 in grants across 70 awards in 2022, maintaining consistent grant-making activity with 61 awards in 2021 and 63 awards in 2020. As a private family foundation, it operates through trustee discretion rather than accepting open applications. The foundation focuses its giving primarily in Montana, supporting causes that align with the Scott family's longstanding commitment to education, community development, conservation, and youth programs—values demonstrated through generations of Scott family philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Foundation Focus

While the Dan And Jeanne Scott Family Foundation does not publish specific funding priorities, the Scott family's broader philanthropic legacy provides insight into likely areas of interest:

Education: The Scott family has demonstrated significant commitment to educational initiatives, exemplified by Risa Scott's $2 million gift to Montana State University to establish the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program in her father's honor. Dan Scott also supported MSU's physiology lab in the College of Agriculture's new Animal Biological Science Building.

Community Development: Dan Scott was instrumental in supporting the Tongue River Valley Community Center (TRVCC) in Dayton and Ranchester, Wyoming, where he raised his family. The broader Scott family helped found Leadership Montana, a program designed to foster and develop community leaders.

Conservation & Land Stewardship: Dan Scott served on the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust Board and facilitated conservation easements on Padlock Ranch and other Scott family properties. The family donated over 2,000 acres in conservation easements to preserve ranch land from subdivision.

Youth & Family Programs: Given the foundation's 70 grants distributed annually, it appears to support a diverse range of community organizations, likely including youth development and family service programs.

Geographic Focus

Grants are made primarily in Montana, with a focus on communities where the Scott family has historical ties, particularly the Billings area and broader Montana communities.

Governance and Leadership

Board Structure

The Dan And Jeanne Scott Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation with board members drawn from the Scott family. Historical board members have included:

  • Randall (Randy) Scott (deceased 2019): Chair of the foundation and son of Dan and Jeanne Scott. Randy served as chairman of the First Interstate Foundation and sat on numerous boards including Rocky Mountain College, St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, the local YMCA, Special Olympics Montana, and Scott Family Services. He passed away unexpectedly in November 2019 at age 65 after seven years as a director of First Interstate BancSystem.

  • Ronald (Ron) Scott (deceased 2021): Son of Dan and Jeanne Scott who served on the Board of the Dan and Jeanne Scott Family Foundation as well as the Board of the Padlock Ranch.

Current board composition is not publicly disclosed, though the foundation continues active grant-making operations managed through First Interstate Bank's offices.

Family Philanthropic Network

The Dan And Jeanne Scott Family Foundation is part of a broader network of Scott family charitable entities, including:

  • First Interstate BancSystem Foundation (which received a $21.5 million donation in 2022 in honor of the Scott family)
  • Homer A. & Mildred S. Scott Foundation
  • Thomas W. & Joan Scott Foundation
  • Scott Family Services Corporation

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Dan And Jeanne Scott Family Foundation does not have a public application process. This is a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion rather than accepting unsolicited proposals or maintaining an open application system.

Grants are awarded based on board decisions, likely influenced by:

  • Personal knowledge of organizations and their work
  • Recommendations from trusted community leaders
  • Historical relationships with grantee organizations
  • Alignment with Scott family values and interests

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's operation through trustee discretion and connection to First Interstate Bank, organizations seeking support might consider:

Build Strong Community Presence: The Scott family has deep roots in Montana, particularly in Billings and surrounding communities. Organizations demonstrating sustained impact in Montana communities, especially in education, conservation, youth development, and community services, may naturally come to the foundation's attention through their reputation and track record.

Connections Through First Interstate Bank: Since the foundation is administered through First Interstate Bank (401 N. 31st Street, Billings), and the Scott family founded First Interstate BancSystem, there may be awareness of organizations that participate in First Interstate's "Believe in Local" campaign or other bank-sponsored community initiatives.

Montana Philanthropic Networks: The Scott family has been active in Montana philanthropic circles, including Leadership Montana and various foundation boards. Organizations that are well-regarded in Montana's nonprofit community and connected to other Montana foundations may be more visible to the foundation's trustees.

Note: The foundation made 70 grants in 2022, indicating they support a relatively broad range of organizations. However, without a public application process, there is no guaranteed pathway for organizations to request funding.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications and makes grants on its own timeline through trustee discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable - there is no public application process to generate success rate statistics.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through trustee discretion without accepting applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, understanding what the Scott family has valued in their broader philanthropy may provide insight:

Educational Impact with Practical Application: The family's $2 million gift to create the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program at MSU demonstrates appreciation for education programs that combine academic rigor with hands-on, experiential learning and real-world application, particularly in fields connected to Montana's economy and way of life.

Long-term Community Building: Dan Scott's support of the Tongue River Valley Community Center and the family's founding of Leadership Montana show sustained commitment to organizations that build community infrastructure and develop local leadership rather than just providing short-term services.

Conservation with Economic Viability: The Padlock Ranch's approach to conservation—combining profitable ranching with responsible land stewardship—suggests the family values sustainability models that balance environmental protection with economic reality.

Montana Focus: The foundation gives "primarily in Montana," and the Scott family's deep roots in the state (particularly Billings, the Padlock Ranch region, and statewide initiatives) indicate a strong preference for supporting Montana communities.

Proven Track Record: Given the foundation distributed 70 grants in 2022, they appear to support established organizations with demonstrated impact rather than funding start-ups or experimental programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Application Available: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. There is no application form, deadline, or formal process for requesting funding.

  • Private Family Foundation: Grants are made at the discretion of family trustees based on their own interests, knowledge of organizations, and community relationships.

  • Montana Focus: Giving is concentrated in Montana, particularly in communities with Scott family connections including Billings and areas around the Padlock Ranch.

  • Consistent Grant-Making: With 70 grants in 2022 and similar numbers in previous years, the foundation maintains active and diversified grant-making despite its private nature.

  • Family Values Guide Giving: Understanding the Scott family's demonstrated commitments—education (especially ranch/agriculture), community infrastructure, conservation, youth development, and leadership training—provides insight into likely funding interests.

  • Build Visibility Through Excellence: Since grants are made through trustee discretion, the most effective "strategy" is to establish a strong reputation for impact in Montana communities, maintain financial stability, and build recognition through community leadership and results.

  • Network Matters: Organizations connected to First Interstate Bank's community initiatives, Montana foundation networks, or other Scott family philanthropic interests may have greater visibility to foundation trustees.

References

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