Amicus Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 47-2605358
• Total Assets: $17.9M (2024)
• Annual Giving: $12,500 (2023); historically ranges from $12,000 to $1.3M
• Number of Grants: 3-4 grants annually (2023), historically 10-39 grants (2020-2022)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $10,000 (typical direct grants)
• Application Policy: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Montana, with selective international grants
• Founded: 2015

Contact Details

Amicus Foundation
PO Box 286
Cameron, MT 59720-0286

Phone: 406-682-3906
Email: info@amicusfoundation.com
Website: https://amicusfoundation.com

Overview

The Amicus Foundation was established in 2015 by John and Sheila Lake of Cameron, Montana. The foundation has grown significantly since its inception, with total assets increasing from $932,700 in 2015 to $17.9 million in 2024. The foundation is faith-based and family-focused, leveraging talents and financial resources to assist "well managed and effective" non-profit organizations. Their strategic approach focuses on maximizing impact in six core areas: families, faith, conservation, health, veterans, and education. The foundation operates through two primary models: direct grants to preselected organizations and matching grant programs where they match donations made to recommended charities. In November 2024, the foundation announced a major five-year commitment to fund Dolly Parton's Imagination Library across six Montana counties, demonstrating their commitment to early childhood literacy and family support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Direct Grants (Invitation Only)

• Typical range: $1,000 - $10,000 per grant
• Recent activity: 3-4 grants annually (2023), with historical highs of 39 grants (2020)
• Process: Foundation identifies and invites organizations; does not accept unsolicited applications

Montana Classrooms Matching Grant Program

• Target: Private, faith-based schools in Montana
• Structure: Dollar-for-dollar matching of donations
• Platform: Teachers post projects on gobeyondmeasure.org
• Maximum: $2,500 per project
• No minimum contribution required
• Total program budget: $10,000 annually

General Matching Grant Program

• Through beyondmeasure.org platform
• Foundation introduces donors to worthy charities
• Donors contribute directly to recommended organizations
• Foundation matches donations dollar-for-dollar
• Focus on education, conservation, and mission-aligned causes

Priority Areas

The foundation invests strategically in six core focus areas:

1. Families: Early childhood literacy (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library), foster care advocacy (Montana CASA/GAL), children of incarcerated parents (Prison Fellowship Angel Tree)

2. Faith: Faith-based education initiatives, mission work (Mission Aviation Fellowship), religious freedom support

3. Conservation: Wildlife protection (Montana Wild Sheep Foundation, Zakouma National Park elephant anti-poaching), outdoor education

4. Health: Disability services and benefits counseling (Independence Through GRACE)

5. Veterans: Combat veteran support (Warriors & Quiet Waters), veteran wellness programs

6. Education: Private faith-based school teacher support, literacy programs, scholarship initiatives (ACE Scholarships Montana & Wyoming)

Recent Grant Recipients (2024)

• Independence Through GRACE (benefits counseling certification)
• Montana CASA/GAL Association (foster care advocacy)
• Prison Fellowship Angel Tree (children of incarcerated parents)
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (5-year commitment for 6 counties)
• Mission Aviation Fellowship (international aviation ministry)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus and invitation-only policy suggest they do not fund:

• Organizations outside their six core focus areas
• General operating support for large established organizations
• Capital campaigns unrelated to their mission
• Secular programs that don't align with their faith-based values
• Organizations that don't demonstrate clear results for constituents

Governance and Leadership

Founders and Leadership

John and Sheila Lake - Founders and Principal Leaders

• Based in Cameron, Montana
• Established the foundation in 2015
• John Lake has a background in agricultural leadership (former CALF board chair)
• Personally engaged with grant recipients and program development

Quote from John Lake (November 2024): "My wife, Sheila, and I are pleased to support Imagination Library and help further its impact in Montana, the place we call home."

The foundation appears to be privately managed by the Lake family. As a private foundation, it files Form 990-PF annually. No officer compensation has been reported in public filings, suggesting the founders manage the foundation on a volunteer basis.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

According to their Form 990-PF filing and grant research databases, the Amicus Foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, proactively identifying organizations that align with their mission and values.

However, the foundation does offer two pathways for organizations to potentially receive support:

1. Matching Grant Program: Organizations can be featured on the foundation's "Recommended Charities" list and receive matched donations through beyondmeasure.org. While there is a "New Charities Application" page on their website, it includes the warning: "Stop! *Only Montana grants are being considered"

2. Montana Classroom Teachers: Teachers at private, faith-based schools in Montana can create accounts on gobeyondmeasure.org to post projects and receive dollar-for-dollar matching up to $2,500 per project

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's approach is highly selective and relationship-based. Based on their grant-making patterns:

Characteristics of Funded Organizations:

• Well-managed with demonstrated effectiveness
• Strong results for constituents
• Alignment with foundation's six core focus areas
• Transparency in operations and finances
• Montana-based or serving Montana communities (with rare exceptions for international work aligned with their mission)
• Faith-based or faith-compatible missions

Potential Pathways:

• Existing network connections: The foundation appears to find organizations through the founders' personal networks and interests (e.g., John Lake's connection to Warriors & Quiet Waters through agricultural leadership circles)
• Demonstrated excellence: Organizations with strong reputations for effectiveness in the foundation's focus areas
• Montana nonprofit community: Active participation in Montana's nonprofit sector may increase visibility
• Faith-based education sector: Clear alignment with private Christian education in Montana
• Veteran and conservation sectors: Strong track records in these areas of interest

Note: The foundation maintains a "Recommended Charities" page on their website featuring organizations like Teen Challenge, Warriors & Quiet Waters, Standing with Hope, Promise 686, Eagle Mount, Compassion International, Prison Fellowship, Montana Special Olympics, and ACE Scholarships, among others. Being featured here appears to be the result of foundation selection rather than application.

Decision Timeline

Given the invitation-only nature, there are no standard application deadlines or decision timelines. The foundation makes grants throughout the year as opportunities arise and relationships develop.

Based on 2024 announcements:

• Spring 2024: Prison Fellowship Angel Tree grant
• Fall 2024: Independence Through GRACE grant, Montana CASA/GAL support
• November 2024: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library commitment

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only model. Organizations that receive one-time grants may receive future support if they continue to align with the foundation's mission and demonstrate strong results.

Application Success Factors

Since the Amicus Foundation operates on an invitation-only model, traditional "application success factors" don't apply. However, based on analysis of their funded organizations and stated values, organizations that would be strong candidates for foundation support share these characteristics:

Values Alignment

The foundation explicitly states they expect organizations to:

• Be "well managed and effective"
• "Produce results for their constituents"
• Maintain "full transparency"

Quote from foundation materials: "The Foundation is strategic with its investments to maximize impact" and "expects and honors full transparency with all donors and non-profits."

Funded Organization Profiles

Strong Montana connections: The vast majority of grants support Montana-based organizations or programs serving Montana communities. The five-year, multi-county commitment to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library demonstrates preference for projects with broad Montana impact.

Faith-based missions: Most supported organizations have explicitly faith-based missions or values alignment (Prison Fellowship, Teen Challenge, ACE Scholarships for faith-based schools, Mission Aviation Fellowship).

Measurable impact: Organizations like Independence Through GRACE (with specific staff certification goals) and Montana CASA/GAL (with defined outcomes for foster children) demonstrate clear, measurable results.

Vulnerable populations: Consistent focus on children, veterans, individuals with disabilities, families affected by incarceration, and underserved rural communities.

Strategic partnerships: The foundation appears to favor organizations that leverage resources effectively, such as matching grant models and collaborative programs.

What Sets Recipients Apart

• Established effectiveness: No evidence of funding startup organizations; all recipients have proven track records
• Scalable impact: Programs that can demonstrate how funding leads to specific outcomes
• Operational excellence: Well-governed organizations with professional management
• Community integration: Deep roots in Montana communities they serve
• Values congruence: Explicit or implicit alignment with Christian faith and family values

Relationship Building Considerations

While the foundation doesn't accept unsolicited applications, organizations in their focus areas might consider:

• Participating in Montana nonprofit networks where foundation leaders are involved
• Ensuring your organization maintains strong public reporting and transparency
• Building a track record of measurable results in one of their six focus areas
• Engaging in Montana's faith-based nonprofit community
• Demonstrating sustainable programs that maximize limited resources

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Invitation-only model: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Traditional grant writing will not be effective with this funder.

2. Faith and family first: The foundation's explicit faith-based and family-focused mission means organizations should have clear alignment with Christian values and family support to be considered.

3. Montana focus with rare exceptions: Nearly all funding stays in Montana. The foundation's tagline emphasizes "Montana, the place we call home," and even international grants (like Zakouma National Park) are rare exceptions.

4. Results-driven philosophy: The foundation expects organizations to "produce results for their constituents" and demonstrate effectiveness. If your organization ever has the opportunity to connect with the foundation, be prepared with concrete outcomes data.

5. Matching grant opportunities: For Montana organizations in education, conservation, or aligned causes, the beyondmeasure.org matching platform may offer an alternative pathway to foundation support, though even this appears selective.

6. Small grants, big impact: Recent direct grants have been modest ($1,000-$10,000), but the foundation will make larger commitments (like the five-year Imagination Library funding) for strategic initiatives.

7. Long-term relationships: The foundation appears to support organizations repeatedly over time (e.g., ongoing support for Warriors & Quiet Waters, Montana CASA/GAL). One-time support can lead to sustained partnership if results are demonstrated.

References

1. Amicus Foundation Official Website - https://amicusfoundation.com/ (Accessed February 2026)
2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Amicus Foundation (EIN 47-2605358) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/472605358 (Accessed February 2026)
3. "Amicus Foundation Announces Funding to Support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Southwest Montana," The Whitehall Ledger, November 27, 2024 - https://www.whitehallledger.com/story/2024/11/27/business/amicus-foundation-announces-funding-to-support-dolly-partons-imagination-library-in-southwest-montana/8921.html
4. Grantmakers.io Profile - Amicus Foundation - https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/472605358-amicus-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)
5. Cause IQ Organization Profile - Amicus Foundation - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/amicus-foundation,472605358/ (Accessed February 2026)
6. Montana Nonprofit Association Directory - Amicus Foundation - https://members.mtnonprofit.org/directory/10990 (Accessed February 2026)
7. Foundation Directory (Candid) - Amicus Foundation - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=AMIC017 (Accessed February 2026)
8. Multiple news articles regarding Dolly Parton's Imagination Library expansion (KTVH, KXLF, KPAX, Montana Standard), November 2024