Local organizations awarded grants from Montana Justice Foundation

The Montana Justice Foundation is proud to announce grant awards totaling over $1.6 million to 22 nonprofits across Montana working to expand access to civil legal services. This marks the largest single-year grant total in MJF’s history. These funds come at a time when many organizations are facing increased demand while navigating funding cuts.

“When families are facing homelessness, violence, or other legal issues, civil legal aid is critical,” said Alissa Chambers, Executive Director of MJF. “Our grantees are often the last line of defense for children in foster care, survivors of violence, and families in legal crisis.” 

The 2025 grant recipients are: Abbie Shelter (Flathead Reservation), American Legion/Boys and Girls State, Bear Paw Development Corporation (Rocky Boy Reservation), Big Brothers Big Sisters (Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Madison, and Beaverhead Counties), Billings Medication Center, Center for Restorative Youth Justices (Flathead and Missoula Counties), CASA of Lake and Sanders Counties, CASA of Missoula, CASA of Yellowstone County, Cascade County Law Clinic, Community Dispute Resolution Center (Missoula), Consumer Protection Project (statewide), Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (Carbon and Stillwater Counties), Eastern Montana CASA GAL, HAVEN (Bozeman), Montana Legal Services Association (statewide), Partners for Justice (Flathead Reservation), RAISE Project (Sanders, Mineral, Flathead, Lincoln, Lake, Missoula, and Ravalli Counties, and the Flathead Reservation), Safe Harbor (Lake County and Flathead Reservation), We the People (Statewide), YWCA Billings, YWCA Helena, and YWCA Missoula.

“The impact of this funding is almost impossible to quantify. The ripples wave through this generation of survivors to create buoyancy for the next, and the next—until they are victims no more,” said Gayle Seratt, Executive Director of Sanders County Coalition for Families.  “We are deeply grateful for MJF’s unwavering support and commitment to healing and justice.”

Access to Justice Grants support nonprofits in essential focus areas, including organizations addressing domestic violence, Court Appointed Special Advocates, youth services, Tribal legal and advocacy services, mediation and conflict resolution, direct civil legal aid for low-income Montanans, law-related education, and assistance with law student loan repayment.  

“We’re deeply grateful for the donors and partners, including our IOLTA leadership banks, who made these grants possible,” Chambers said. “This funding is a powerful step forward, and MJF remains ready to respond as the need continues to grow. We encourage nonprofits aligned with MJF’s mission to reach out to MJF to explore strategic partnerships.”

MJF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grant-making organization. Funds are distributed through a competitive process driven by a mission to promote equal access to justice. MJF raises grant funds through the Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (IOLTA) program, Cy Pres or other court-ordered awards, and contributions from donors. IOLTA accounts are interest-bearing trust accounts that pool client funds that lawyers routinely receive from clients for retainers or other purposes and do not independently generate returnable interest amounts. Cy Pres awards are the remaining funds from class action settlements or judgments that are donated for charitable purposes, including access to justice. In recent years, Cy Pres awards have directed $2 million to MJF. 

For more information about the Montana Justice Foundation or for a full list of grantees, focus areas, and locations, visit www.mtjustice.org.