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Foundation For The Diocese Of Helena Inc

Annual Giving
$0.1M
Grant Range
Up to $0.0M00
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
56%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $96,666 (2024)
  • Success Rate: 56%
  • Decision Time: 8 weeks
  • Grant Range: $0 - $15,000
  • Geographic Focus: Diocese of Helena, Montana
  • Total Assets: $61.6 million

Contact Details

Address: 630 N Last Chance Gulch, Suite 2200, Helena, MT 59601
Mailing Address: PO Box 1729, Helena, MT 59624
Phone: (406) 389-7050
Email: Foundation@dohmt.org
Website: https://fdoh.org

Executive Director: Daniel Thies
Direct Contact: dthies@dohmt.org | (406) 389-7051

Overview

Founded in 1978, the Foundation for the Diocese of Helena serves western Montana with a mission to "serve and strengthen the people, parishes, ministries and apostolic mission of the Diocese of Helena." With total assets of $61.6 million and over $36 million in endowments, the Foundation has distributed more than $14 million to parishes and ministries since inception. The organization operates through permanent endowment funds established for every parish and mission in the Diocese, making quarterly distributions while preserving principal. Since launching its Faith in Action Grants Program in 2007, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.37 million in grants specifically focused on evangelization and community outreach. In 2023 alone, the Foundation distributed over $103,000 in grants to Catholic organizations within the Diocese.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Faith-in-Action Grants: $60,000 annually (2026 cycle)

  • Individual grants up to $5,000 per project
  • For parishes, missions, schools, programs, and ministries within Diocese of Helena
  • Focus on evangelization and transformative projects
  • Application opens mid-March; deadline June 19, 2026

Dream BIG Grant: Up to $15,000 (one award per cycle)

  • For innovative evangelization projects that reach beyond parish walls
  • Must actively and imaginatively seek to bring the Good News to the community
  • Projects should demonstrate transformative potential

Scholarship Grants: $30,000 annually

  • Supporting Catholic education within the Diocese

Priority Areas

The Foundation prioritizes:

  • Evangelization initiatives that share the Gospel with new audiences
  • Community outreach that extends beyond traditional parish boundaries
  • Transformative projects with lasting spiritual impact
  • Parish and ministry capacity building for Catholic organizations throughout western Montana
  • Projects that demonstrate creativity and innovation in reaching the unchurched

What They Don't Fund

Applicants must review the Grant Guidelines document (available on fdoh.org/grants) to understand what types of grants the Foundation will and will not support. Specific exclusions are detailed in these guidelines.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Committee

  • Erica Matelich, President
  • Carl Rummel, Vice President
  • John Talia, Treasurer
  • Fr. Joe Fleming, Secretary
  • Rona Davison, Immediate Past President

Staff

  • Daniel Thies, Executive Director - Primary contact for grant inquiries
  • Margaret Herriges, Engagement and Marketing Officer
  • Karen Ford, Accountant

The Foundation operates with transparency and is guided by the apostolic mission of the Diocese. Leadership emphasizes that the Foundation has "a charitable responsibility to fund those most in need through their established grants program" and dreams of seeing "transformative evangelization result from the use of these grants."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review Grant Guidelines: Download and carefully review the Grant Guidelines document from fdoh.org/grants to understand eligibility and exclusions
  2. Complete Application Form: Use the specific application form provided on the grants page
  3. Submit by Deadline: Applications must be received by June 19, 2026 (for 2026 cycle)
  4. Grant Reports: Recipients must submit grant reports by May 22, 2026

Applications open mid-March for the annual grant cycle. The Foundation uses a structured application process with specific forms required.

Decision Timeline

  • Grant Cycle Opens: Mid-March
  • Application Deadline: June 19
  • Grant Award Notification: Mid-August (approximately 8 weeks after deadline)
  • Typical Processing Time: 8 weeks from deadline to notification

Success Rates

The Foundation maintains a 56% approval rate for grant applications. In 2024, they provided $96,666 in grants, with over $103,000 awarded in 2023. Since 2007, more than $1.37 million has been distributed through the Faith in Action program.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is available in the Grant Guidelines. Contact Daniel Thies at (406) 389-7051 for specific guidance on reapplication procedures.

Application Success Factors

Proven Successful Projects

The Foundation has funded projects including:

  1. VOX SFX Podcast (St. Francis Xavier Parish, Missoula) - Winner of the first Dream Big grant, this podcast was created for evangelization purposes, promoting the Catholic community and furthering the formation of everyday Catholics.

  2. Oktoberfest Celebration (Cathedral of St. Helena) - Funded as a community outreach event. The Diocese's Director of Family Life, Pro-Life and Evangelization noted this type of project is "a gentle, but compelling way of showing our neighbors that the Catholic Church offers a life that is deeper and more beautiful than what the world has to offer."

Key Success Elements

Based on the Foundation's documented priorities and funded projects:

  • Evangelization focus: Projects should clearly demonstrate how they will share the Gospel and reach new audiences
  • Community engagement: Especially for the Dream BIG grant, show how your project extends "outside the walls of its parish and into its community"
  • Transformative vision: Articulate the lasting spiritual impact your project will create
  • Innovation and imagination: The Foundation specifically values projects that are "active and imaginative" in their approach
  • Clear connection to mission: Demonstrate alignment with "bringing the Good News and God's love to all people"

Strategic Guidance

  • Review the Grant Guidelines thoroughly before applying to ensure your project aligns with funding priorities
  • For the Dream BIG grant, emphasize outward-facing community impact rather than internal parish needs
  • Contact Daniel Thies with questions before submitting - the Foundation is accessible and responsive
  • Consider how your project demonstrates "transformative evangelization" - this language appears repeatedly in Foundation materials

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Eligibility is restricted: Only parishes, missions, schools, programs, and ministries within the Diocese of Helena are eligible - this is a geographically limited funder
  • Evangelization is paramount: The Foundation's dream is to see "transformative evangelization" from grant-funded projects; frame your work accordingly
  • Think beyond parish walls: Projects that reach into the broader community are particularly valued, especially for the larger Dream BIG grant
  • Strong success rate: With a 56% approval rate, this is a reasonably accessible funder for eligible organizations
  • Accessible leadership: Executive Director Daniel Thies is available for questions and guidance before application submission
  • Annual cycle only: Applications are accepted once per year with a mid-June deadline; plan accordingly
  • Two grant tiers: Standard grants max at $5,000; the Dream BIG grant offers up to $15,000 for exceptional evangelization projects

References

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