Montana Launches $400,000 Grant Program for America's 250th Anniversary

With America's 250th birthday approaching on July 4, 2026, Montana is positioning itself to play a meaningful role in this historic milestone. The Montana 250th Commission has announced the launch of its comprehensive grant program, offering up to $400,000 to support commemorative projects across the state that will deepen understanding of Montana's culture and heritage while fostering civic engagement with American, Montanan, and Tribal history.

"We're excited to help our partners across the state commemorate America's milestone birthday next year in meaningful and memorable ways," said Commission Chairman Chris Averill. "Thanks to funding provided by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Gianforte, the Commission is seeking bold, thoughtful, and community-minded ideas to ensure all Montanans are included in the festivities."

A Program Built for Broad Participation

The Montana 250 Grant Program welcomes applications from an extensive range of organizations, including towns, cities, counties, Indigenous nations, schools, museums, libraries, nonprofits, historic sites, heritage and veterans' organizations, state agencies, and community groups. Notably, the program requires no cost match from successful applicants, removing a significant barrier that often prevents smaller organizations from participating in grant opportunities.

All funded projects must be completed and accessible to the public by December 31, 2026, providing organizations with over a year to develop and implement their commemorative initiatives.

Three Guiding Themes

Applications should align with at least one of three key themes that guide the commission's work:

"Doing History" encourages hands-on, experiential approaches to historical education and community engagement.

"Our Ongoing American Experiment" focuses on projects exploring democracy, civic participation, and the evolution of American governance.

"The Power of Place" celebrates the unique ways geography, landscape, and location have shaped Montana's identity and contributed to the broader American story.

The application deadline is October 30, 2025, with complete information and materials available at www.america250mt.org.

Additional Support Through Event Sponsorships

Beyond the primary grant program, the Montana 250th Commission will offer up to $100,000 in event sponsorships to support community celebrations recognizing the semiquincentennial. Individual sponsorships ranging from $500 to $5,000 will be available to organizations planning events between March and December 2026.

These sponsorships aim to foster public participation in celebrating America's 250th anniversary while highlighting the achievements and significance of Montanans throughout history. The program also seeks to recognize the vibrant Indigenous cultures present in 1776, honor veterans who have secured and preserved American independence, and increase civic engagement through activities promoting participation in the U.S. civics test and recognizing schools for outstanding achievement in civics, history, government, and Indian Education for All.

Event sponsorship applications will be available in January 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis, with details posted at www.america250mt.org.

A Statewide Effort with National Connections

The Montana 250th Commission was established by the 2023 Montana Legislature through House Bill 377 to coordinate statewide efforts commemorating the United States Semiquincentennial. The commission works in partnership with the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which Congress established in 2016 to orchestrate nationwide activities recognizing the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The commission's mission emphasizes promoting civic engagement and increasing public awareness of United States and Montana government and history, including the rich heritage of Tribal nations. Through grants, sponsorships, and collaborative partnerships, the commission ensures that Montana's semiquincentennial commemoration honors the full spectrum of experiences that have shaped both state and nation.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As America approaches this unprecedented milestone—no living person has witnessed a previous semiquincentennial—Montana has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a national conversation about heritage, democracy, and shared identity. The grant and sponsorship programs provide pathways for communities across the state to participate in this historic moment while showcasing Montana's distinctive contributions to the American story.

Whether through educational programming, community celebrations, historical exhibits, or innovative approaches to civic engagement, Montana organizations now have the resources to help ensure the nation's 250th anniversary resonates across the Treasure State.

For more information about the Montana 250 Grant Program or to begin the application process, visit www.america250mt.org or contact Montana 250 Coordinator Ashly Tubbs at [email protected].