First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc
Accepts applications
First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Billings, Montana. In tax year 2025 it gave $5.0 million in 767 grants; the typical grant was $2,500 and the largest $663,178. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$5.0 million
- Number of grants767
- Typical grant$2,500
- Largest grant$663,178
- Assets$23.7 million
- New grantees52%
Giving in 2025 was up from $4.8 million the year before.
52% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $6.0 million | 1,536 | $24.5 million |
| 2024 | $4.8 million | 758 | $22.7 million |
| 2025 | $5.0 million | 767 | $23.7 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Amberly Pahut Exec Director 401 N 31st St Suite 400, Billings, MT 59101 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (406) 255-5393, foundation@fib.com |
| What to submit, deadlines | Refer to Foundation website for online application. |
| Restrictions | The grants are intended to serve the communities of interest to First Interstate Bank. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 23 states, the most to Montana.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | 189 | $1.4 million |
| South Carolina | 1 | $663,178 |
| South Dakota | 98 | $610,857 |
| Oregon | 96 | $435,600 |
| Wyoming | 72 | $380,410 |
| Iowa | 64 | $355,850 |
| Nebraska | 79 | $277,256 |
| Idaho | 47 | $270,750 |
| Colorado | 44 | $209,915 |
| Washington | 30 | $204,200 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Blackbaud Giving Fund | Employee Giving Program Distributions | $663,178 |
| Yellowstone Ice Foundation | New Ice Rink | $125,000 |
| Special Olympics Montana Inc | General Operating Support | $103,000 |
| Whitefish Community Foundation Inc | Great Fish Challenge | $59,490 |
| Billings School District | Daylis Stadium Project | $50,000 |
| Junior Achievement of South Dakota | Financial Education | $50,000 |
| Riverpeak Health | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Wise Wonders Childrens Museum Inc | Financial Education | $40,245 |
| E4E Relief LLC | Emergency Relief | $38,713 |
| Four Bands Community Fund Inc | Workforce Development | $37,500 |
| Idaho Community Foundation Inc | Nonprofit Education | $36,000 |
| Feeding South Dakota | Neighbors Feeding Neighbors | $35,500 |
| Community Entry Services Inc | General Operating Support | $32,500 |
| Mountainstar Family Relief Nursery | General Operating Support | $32,500 |
| Alliance for Youth Inc | General Operating Support | $30,000 |
| Jackson Hole Airport | Beautifying the Airport Project | $30,000 |
| Isaac Foundation | General Operating Support | $29,000 |
| Leadership Montana Inc | General Operating Support | $28,000 |
| Ringgold County Development Corp | General Operating Support | $27,500 |
| Gratitude in Action Foundation | General Operating Support | $26,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Fremont County Inc | General Operating Support | $25,500 |
| Food Bank of Lincoln Inc | Neighbors Feeding Neighbors | $25,500 |
| Gardiner Food Pantry of Park County | Neighbors Feeding Neighbors | $25,500 |
| Mills County Storehouse | General Operating Support | $25,500 |
| New Visions Homeless Services | General Operating Support | $25,500 |
| A Bridge Between US | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Aspire Inc | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Backpack Society | Neighbors Feeding Neighbors | $25,000 |
| Boise Adaptive Snowsport Education | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Story County Inc | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Clatsop Community Action | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Coles Pantry | Neighbors Feeding Neighbors | $25,000 |
| Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Custer County Community Table | Neighbors Feeding Neighbors | $25,000 |
| Family Access Network Foundation | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Flathead Food Bank Inc | Neighbors Feeding Neighbors | $25,000 |
| Fund for Public Education | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Inc | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Heart-N-Soul Community Cafe Inc | Neighbors Feeding Neighbors | $25,000 |
| Joshuas Storehouse & Distribution Center | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Amberly Pahut
- Marcy Mutch
- Kirk Jensen
- Joyce Phillips
- Thomas Henning
- Jeremy Scott
- Geoffrey Scott
- James Reuter
- Kristina Robbins
- David Della Camera
- Patricia Moss
Questions people ask
Does First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Refer to Foundation website for online application..
How much does First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc give?
$5.0 million in tax year 2025, across 767 grants, with a typical grant of $2,500.
Who runs First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Amberly Pahut (Executive Director), Marcy Mutch (Director (Through May '25)), Kirk Jensen (Director) and Joyce Phillips (Director) among 11 officers and trustees.
What does First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, food and hunger and youth programs.