Cross Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• EIN: 83-0331707
• Annual Giving: $2,822,000 (2023)
• Assets: $54.2 million (2024)
• Average Grant Size: $24,973
• Number of Grants: 113 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah (Northwest United States)
• Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 3805 Valley Commons Dr, Suite 7, Bozeman, MT 59718-6510

Phone: (406) 585-3393

Contact Person: Janae (for grant application questions)

Website: crosscharitablefoundation.net

Overview

The Cross Charitable Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation established in Wyoming in 2001, with current operations based in Bozeman, Montana (since 2011). Classified as a family foundation with total assets of approximately $54.2 million, the foundation distributed $2,822,000 across 113 grants in 2023. The foundation focuses on five distinct charitable areas: youth education, assistance to the homeless and oppressed, wildlife conservation, environmental conservation with emphasis on habitat preservation, and programs promoting the health and welfare of dogs. The foundation has been particularly active in supporting STEM education throughout the Northwest states, partnering with SAE Foundation since 2012 to bring the "A World In Motion" (AWIM) program to over 90,000 PreK-12 students across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah, with special emphasis on Native American students.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Cross Charitable Foundation operates through a single invitation-only grant program with the following structure:

• Annual Grant Cycle: Applications accepted by invitation only through September 15, with decisions made by November 30 and grants paid in December
• Grant Range: Varies significantly, with an average grant size of $24,973
• Application Platform: Foundant software (access code provided to invited organizations)
• Reporting Requirements: Interim report due April 30, final report due August 31

Priority Areas

The foundation assists organizations actively engaged in:

1. Youth Education: Promoting education to enable youth to become productive, contributing members of society. Notably supports STEM education through the SAE "A World In Motion" program, which has reached over 90,000 PreK-12 students in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah since 2012, with particular emphasis on Native American students.

2. Homeless and Oppressed Populations: Supporting organizations that assist the homeless and the oppressed.

3. Wildlife Conservation: Promoting the conservation and preservation of wildlife both domestically and internationally.

4. Environmental Conservation: Supporting conservation of the environment, with particular emphasis on conserving wildlife habitat and wildlife migratory routes.

5. Dog Welfare and Training: Promoting the health, care, and welfare of dogs, including training dogs to assist and benefit in improving the quality of life for humans and other animals.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (not eligible to apply)
• Organizations outside of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah
• Organizations that have already received a grant within the same calendar year (one application per organization per year)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Ryan Kirkham - President

Mary Beth Thompson - Vice President

Carol H. Gonnella - Secretary (compensation: $40,000 for part-time role)

John R. Clark, CPA - Treasurer (compensation: $40,000 for part-time role)

The foundation operates with a governance structure typical of private family foundations, with key decisions made at the board level, including which organizations to invite to apply for grants.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: This funder does not have a public application process. The Cross Charitable Foundation accepts grants only by invitation of the Board. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications.

Organizations selected to submit applications are provided an access code by separate letter, which allows them to apply through the Foundant software program. If invited to apply, the foundation provides specific instructions and access credentials.

For questions about the invitation process, contact Janae at (406) 585-3393.

Getting on Their Radar

While the Cross Charitable Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, there are some specific ways organizations working in their priority areas might become known to the foundation:

Partnership Networks: The foundation has established partnerships with specific organizations in Montana and the broader Northwest region. For example, they are listed as a conservation partner of Teller Wildlife Refuge and support the Montana Conservation Corps. Organizations working collaboratively with their known partners may have increased visibility.

STEM Education Programs: The foundation has a long-standing relationship with SAE Foundation and the "A World In Motion" STEM education program. Organizations involved in STEM education for youth, particularly Native American students, in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah align with a demonstrated priority.

Geographic Presence: The foundation focuses exclusively on the Northwest states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah. Organizations should have a strong presence and impact in these states.

Alignment with Mission: Organizations should have a clear focus in one or more of the foundation's five priority areas: youth education, assistance to homeless/oppressed populations, wildlife conservation, environmental conservation (especially habitat preservation), or dog welfare/training programs.

Since invitation is at the Board's discretion, organizations should ensure their work in the Northwest states is visible through sector partnerships, demonstrated impact, and alignment with the foundation's specific charitable interests.

Decision Timeline

For organizations invited to apply:

• Application Deadline: September 15 (annually)
• Decision Notification: By November 30
• Grant Payment: December
• Interim Report Due: April 30 (following year)
• Final Report Due: August 31 (following year)

The foundation follows a fixed annual cycle with clear deadlines for invited applicants.

Success Rates

With 113 grants awarded from an invitation-only pool in 2023, the success rate for invited organizations is not publicly disclosed. However, the invitation-only model suggests that organizations selected to apply have a higher-than-typical success rate compared to open application processes, as the Board has already identified them as aligned with funding priorities before extending the invitation.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation will only accept one application per calendar year from an organization. This policy applies even in the invitation-only system, meaning organizations that receive an invitation and submit an application must wait until the following calendar year before they can be considered again, regardless of whether their application was successful.

Application Success Factors

Since the Cross Charitable Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the traditional application success factors differ from open grant programs. Based on their documented priorities and funding patterns:

Strong Geographic Alignment: All funded organizations must operate in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, or Utah. The foundation has shown particular interest in organizations serving Montana, where they are headquartered, and those with reach across multiple Northwest states.

Clear Mission Alignment: The foundation has five distinct priority areas. Organizations should have a clear, primary focus in at least one of these areas rather than trying to appeal to multiple priorities. Their STEM education partnership demonstrates they support programs with measurable outcomes and sustained impact.

Focus on Youth and Native American Students: The foundation's sustained support for SAE's "A World In Motion" program reaching over 90,000 students, with particular emphasis on Native American students, indicates a strong interest in programs that increase access to education for underserved youth populations in the Northwest.

Conservation and Wildlife Emphasis: The foundation's partnership with Teller Wildlife Refuge and Montana Conservation Corps, and their stated focus on "wildlife habitat and wildlife migratory routes," suggests they value organizations working on practical conservation efforts with tangible environmental benefits.

501(c)(3) Status Required: As a private foundation, they can only grant to organizations with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status.

Capacity for Reporting: With interim and final reports required, successful applicants need organizational capacity to document outcomes and provide accountability for grant funds.

Existing Network Connections: Given the invitation-only model, organizations may increase their visibility by building relationships with the foundation's known partners and demonstrating impact in shared priority areas.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-Only Process: You cannot submit an unsolicited application. Focus efforts on building visibility in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah within the foundation's five priority areas.

• Average Grant Size: With $24,973 as the average grant and 113 awards in 2023, the foundation makes numerous moderate-sized grants rather than a few large awards, suggesting they value broad impact across their geographic region.

• Geographic Restriction is Absolute: Only organizations operating in MT, ID, WY, and UT are eligible. Ensure your work has clear impact in these states.

• One Chance Per Year: The foundation only accepts one application per organization per calendar year, making each invitation an important opportunity that should not be wasted on a rushed or poorly prepared application.

• STEM Education Priority: The foundation's 12+ year partnership with SAE's AWIM program and investment in reaching 90,000+ students demonstrates that education initiatives with scale, proven curriculum, and focus on underserved students (particularly Native American youth) are a significant priority.

• Conservation Focus on Habitat: When describing conservation work, emphasize wildlife habitat preservation and migratory routes, as this is specifically mentioned in their mission statement.

• Relationships Matter: The invitation-only model means board members and foundation leadership must become aware of your organization. Network within Northwest conservation, education, and social service sectors where the foundation is already active.

References

• Cross Charitable Foundation official website: https://crosscharitablefoundation.net/ (Accessed March 2026)
• Cross Charitable Foundation Grant Application page: https://crosscharitablefoundation.net/grant-application/ (Accessed March 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Cross Charitable Foundation Inc (EIN 83-0331707): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/830331707 (Accessed March 2026)
• GuideStar Profile - Cross Charitable Foundation Inc: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/83-0331707 (Accessed March 2026)
• Cause IQ - Cross Charitable Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/cross-charitable-foundation-attn-john-r-clark,830331707/ (Accessed March 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Cross Charitable Foundation Inc: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=CROS069 (Accessed March 2026)
• SAE Foundation - Cross Foundation Donor Spotlight: https://www.saefoundation.org/make-a-difference/organizations/donor-spotlight/cross-foundation/ (Accessed March 2026)
• Teller Wildlife Refuge - Partners in Conservation: https://www.tellerwildlife.org/partners-in-conservation (Accessed March 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Cross Charitable Foundation Inc: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/cross-charitable-foundation-inc-attn-john-r-clark (Accessed March 2026)