Montana 250 Initiatives

Montana 250 Grant Program

The Montana 250th Commission is proud to announce the launch of the grant program to support statewide commemorative projects ahead of America's 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. The Montana 250 Grant Program will award up to $400,000 to organizations across the state working to deepen understanding of Montana's history, culture, and heritage in connection with the nation's semiquincentennial.

Projects should align with at least one of the three key themes that guide the commission's work: "Doing History", "Our Ongoing American Experiment", or "The Power of Place". Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Resources for applicants:

  • Please refer to the Montana 250 Grant Program Guidelines to learn about the grant program eligibility.

  • Please refer to the Montana 250 Grant Program Application to review application questions. Please note, this is for reference only. The application must be completed and submitted in the Montana Historical Society Grant Portal. Note: Application answers can NOT be saved in the portal. Applications must be filled out then immediately submitted. It is suggested that applicants download this document, fill in the answers, then copy/paste into the application portal for submission.

  • Please refer to the Montana 250 Grant Program Application Scoring Criteria to review the Montana 250 Commission’s application scoring criteria. 

  • The Montana 250 Grant Program Budget Template is required to be uploaded in the application for consideration of funding. 

For technical assistance, please contact AshLy.Tubbs@mt.gov

Montana 250 Sponsorship Program

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

Event sponsorship applications will be available in January 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis for qualifying events. Details and sponsorship application will be posted here. Subscribe to the Montana 250 newsletter to receive news and updates.

  • Encouraging Student Civic Engagement in Montana

    Two programs aimed at 4th-12th grade students:

    1. A Montana History poster contest for students 4-5th grades: $3,000

    2. Three Montana history-themed student research prizes for students 6-12th grade: $1,500

    Project Description:

    In collaboration with National History Day in Montana (NHD MT)—an established academic program serving students 4-12th grades—the MT 250 Commission (MT 250) requests $4,500 to support programs to boost student engagement with Montana history through research, analysis, and presentation at local, state, and national levels.

  • The Montana Tapestry: People and Places from 1776 to Today

    Project Description:

    “The Montana Tapestry: People and Places from 1776 to Today” will include six sets of pop-up banners with content on the people, places, resources, and structures that unite us as Montanans and Americans and give us common purpose as we look ahead to the next 250 years. This traveling interpretive exhibit commemorates the upcoming semiquincentennial, educates the public on lesser-known history, people and places of Montana, and highlights Montana's changing cultural, social and physical landscapes from 1776 to today. Six sets of banners and interpretive resources will travel throughout Montana State Parks visitors centers across each region of the state, delving into our unique past and sparking curiosity to help shape the next 250 years of our state.

  • The Montana 250 Roadway Sign Project

    Amount Requested: $22,000 to support high school CTE (Career and Technical Education) classes involvement in a Burma Shave Sign- inspired project.

    Project Description:

    MT 250 will work with nine exemplary construction-skills high schools, one in each of the MASS (MT Association of School Superintendents) regions, to purchase supplies locally and produce a nine slogan roadway sign sets which school reps will erect working with landowners in their county. Modeled after the successful 1950s Burma Shave signs that used a series of advertising slogans along roadways, the goal is to have at least one Montana 250 slogan erected in each county during the fall of 2025.

  • Montana Reads: The Treasure State's Book Club

    The Montana 250th Commission and the Montana Historical Society are hosting a year-along series of virtual events designed to build excitement around the United States's 250th birthday in 2026. "Montana Reads: The Treasure State's Book Club" is a monthly online book discussion that will cover exciting topics and figures from United States, Montana, and Tribal history.

    Each month, a member of the Montana 250th Commission will lead a presentation and discussion on books that explore myriad aspects of our shared history - from the Founding Fathers to Montana statesmen and women, cultural traditions to amazing innovation. These monthly discussions will feature conversations around the books' central themes, seeking applications to current challenges and initiatives facing our state and nation. Montanans are encouraged to participate in any and all of these events that they find interesting, and where possible to read the book in advance.

    The Montana 250th Commission is excited to share these stories with all Montanans and will be bringing in special guests where possible to further bring this history to life. Events will be held on Zoom each second Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30pm.

    Register via the links below.

    Upcoming Book Club Events are:

    Thur., Oct. 9 ~ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

    Mansfield and Dirksen: Bipartisan Giants of the Senate, by Marc Johnson

    NOTE: Author Marc Johnson will join us live for this event


    Thurs., Nov. 13 ~ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

    Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth of American Politics by H.W. Brands

    NOTE: Author and historian H.W. Brands will join us live for this event

    Please email laura.marsh@mt.gov for any issues with registering and receiving the link.


    Previous Book Club Events:

    Thur., Sept. 11 ~ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

    The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11, by Garrett Graff

    Thur., July 10 ~ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

    Part I: Turbulent Spirit, pages 1 - 250

    Thur., Aug. 14 ~ 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

    Part II: American Hippocrates, pages 251 - 510

Your gift will help support the creation of the largest and most inclusive commemoration in our history. To support, please mail your check and your gift agreement to:

MTHS, c/o MT 250

PO Box 201201

Helena, MT 59620

Or call 406-444-4013 to donate over the phone. Thank you!