Grants available for basic needs assistance to at-risk populations in Missoula County. No matching funds are required.

Applications are closed

The 2027 application period will open on Wednesday, April 1 and applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 8, 2026.

Fund Description

The Community Assistance Fund (CAF) is levied by the Board of County Commissioners to provide human services and establish a safety net or continuum of services to meet basic human needs in Missoula County. Projects awarded funding through the Community Assistance Fund serve at-risk populations at the most basic levels of food, shelter, medical care, and emergency transportation. 

Eligible Applicants

• 501(c)3 not-for-profit health and human service organizations
• Governmental agencies

Total Amount Available

In 2025, $895,000 was awarded to 20 projects.

The total amount available in the Community Assistance Fund is unknown until determined during the annual budget process. It is the purview of the Board of County Commissioners to determine the total amount, if any, to be available for funding.

Program Period

This runs with the county fiscal year, July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the following year.

Tentative Timeline

• May and June: Applications will be read, evaluated, and scored by a citizen review committee.
• June or July: County staff will take recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for possible inclusion in the Missoula County fiscal year budget.
• June or July: If recommended for funding, applicants are tentatively notified of an award.
• September: Budget adoption occurs, after which contracts are executed if funding is available. The contract period is retroactive to July 1.

Interested in Applying?

Read the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) below to learn about eligible project costs, reporting requirements, and more! The current year documents below will be updated prior to the launch of the next application cycle.

preview the application and apply

Current Awardees Include:

• Crosswinds Recovery
• District XI Human Resource Council
• Farm Connect Montana
• Garden City Harvest
• Homeword
• Hope Rescue Mission
• Missoula Aging Services
• Missoula Food Bank
• Missoula Interfaith Collaborative
• Missoula Public Health
• Mountain Home
• Partnership Health Center
• Poverello Center
• Seeley Lake Community Foundation
• United Way of Missoula County
• YWCA Missoula