OUR UNIQUE ROLE
At United Way of Hill County, we are dedicated to supporting our community and its residents through meaningful collaboration with nonprofits and initiatives that address critical areas such as financial security, youth opportunities, community resilience, and fostering a healthy, thriving community.
We fulfill this mission by meeting immediate and emergency needs while also investing in long-term solutions that prevent future challenges. Through our work, we aim to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to thrive and that our community continues to grow stronger, more resilient, and more connected.
OUR WORK
At United Way of Hill County, we embrace a community-level collective impact model to address the complex challenges our residents face. By fostering coalition work with stakeholders from across our community, we create opportunities for collaboration, meaningful conversations, and thorough needs assessments to guide our efforts.
Through these partnerships, we bring together people from different sectors of the community to mobilize resources and initiatives that create lasting change. While honoring and preserving the unique identities of each partner, we work together to establish common goals and coordinated activities. This approach ensures a greater, more sustainable impact for our residents and the community as a whole.
GRANTS & VOLUNTEERISM
Providing grants to nonprofit partners is a cornerstone of our strategy to achieve our big-picture goals. At United Way of Hill County, we understand the challenges many organizations face in recruiting volunteers and board leadership. That’s why we are committed to fostering volunteerism by identifying and supporting emerging leaders and connecting people of all ages to impactful volunteer opportunities throughout Havre and Hill County.
By strengthening volunteer engagement and leadership, we aim to empower local organizations and create a stronger, more connected community.
OUR MISSION:
We unite people and resources to improve lives in the Greater Hill County area by delivering measurable long-term solutions related to healthy communities, youth opportunities, financial security, and community resilience.
OUR VISION:
United Way of Hill County will be champions of our greater community, empowering individuals and improving lives, while striving to facilitate lasting, positive change.
CONTACT US
Danielle Golie
Regional Director
United Way of Hill County
Email: Danielle.Golie@UWHILLCOUNTY.ORG
Phone: 406-265-6561
Address: 500 1st Ave, Havre, MT 59501
UNITED WAY GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
United Way of Hill County is now accepting grant applications from local nonprofits serving Hill County. Funding supports programs that expand youth opportunities, strengthen financial security for individuals and families, and build a healthier, more resilient community.
Grant proposals are reviewed by community volunteers who evaluate program impact and alignment with United Way’s priorities:
- Youth Opportunity
- Financial Security
- Healthy Community
- Community Resiliency
For the current fiscal year, United Way funds six local programs. Funded agencies must submit semiannual outcome reports.
Eligible applicants must be federally tax-exempt, licensed in Montana, meet financial reporting requirements and operate without discrimination.
Click this link to read preview the grant application and read the application guidelines.
KEY DATES FOR NONPROFITS
All in person sessions will be at the Boys & Girls Club, 500 1st. Ave.
March 12, 1-3 p.m. - Required training for nonprofits interested in applying.
March 19, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Optional online drop-in Q&A session.
April 10, 5 p.m. - Applications due.
April 14, noon to 1 p.m. - Optional Zoom training on next steps.
April 29- May 5 - Grant applicants review questions from volunteers and provide written responses.
May 12 - Grant applicants give in-person presentations. Applicants will be contacted to arrange specific 30-minute time-slots.
May 29 - Grant applicants are informed of grant decisions.
July 1 - Funding begins.
Jan. 29, 2027 - 6-month reports are due.
July 20, 2027 - Year-end reports are due.
GRANT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
United Way of Hill County is recruiting 8-12 volunteers to serve on the grant committee and determine how best to invest donations in our community nonprofits. Volunteers must give to United Way of Hill County (even a small donation) and be available to read written proposals, attend in-person presentations from the nonprofits and then review 6-month and year-end reports from the nonprofits awarded grants.
This is an important role in our impact work in the community and we appreciate the time involved in this process.
KEY DATES FOR VOLUNTEERS
March 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Volunteer training.
April 16-26 - Volunteers review written proposals.
May 7-12 - Volunteers review applicants responses to questions.
May 12 - Full day scheduled to hear nonprofit presentations
* May 14 - If needed, decide grant awards. (If the applicant pool is small, this may be done on May 12.)
Feb. 23, 2027, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Grant volunteers meet to review grant awardees' 6-month reports and provide feedback.
Aug. 24, 2027, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Grant volunteers meet to review grant awardees' year-end reports and provide feedback.
United Way of Hill County currently provides grants to the following nonprofits:
Feed My Sheep Community Soup Kitchen: Provides nourishing lunches to people in need Monday through Saturday.
Greater Havre Ministerial Association: Provides emergency housing, rent assistance, transportation, financial assistance for prescription medication and support for people trying to recover from substance abuse.
Havre Community Food Bank: Offers shelf-stable food to people in need.
Havre District 4 HRDC: Partners with adult education programs to provide qualifying students high school equivalency (HiSet) testing and testing prep.
Salvation Army - Havre Service Center: Helps low-income people with emergency assistance including food.
Victim Services: Supports crime victims by offering safety planning, assistance filing protective orders and shelter for women fleeing domestic violence. Sheltered women are also offered supplies and even pet boarding.
2026 CRAB BOIL FUNDRAISER SET FOR SATURDAY, OCT. 3
The Annual Crab Boil Fundraiser is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year in Hill County! This event brings together local businesses, individuals, and community members for an unforgettable experience featuring an all-you-can-eat crab boil meal, lively entertainment, and both silent and live auctions.
As our largest fundraiser of the year, this event directly supports United Way of Hill County’s annual grants to local nonprofit partners. These grants empower organizations to continue their impactful work, providing critical services and resources to residents in need.
With enthusiastic sponsors, a festive atmosphere, and an incredible show of community support, the Annual Crab Boil Fundraiser is not just a celebration—it’s a chance to make a lasting difference for our community.
Merging the two United Ways offers an opportunity to combine resources and talents to streamline operations and strengthen both organizations, increasing their local impact.
The nine nonprofit organizations currently receiving grants are funded through the end of June. Grant applications for future funding will open to any nonprofit in Hill County in March. Volunteers from Hill County will review the applications and help determine funding amounts. Grants will be awarded starting July 1.
Three Hill County board members join the United Way of Cascade County board as voting members starting Feb. 1. The merger allows for two to five Hill County board members to serve as part of the bigger board. United Way of Cascade County will support United Way of Hill County in building a local advisory council that will support Hill County’s work and inform board decisions.
To join the advisory council, reach out to Danielle Golie at unitedway@havremt.net.
Local people will determine how to best allocate funds raised in each community to reach community impact goals in their community. The Hill County advisory council will make recommendations to the local board of directors
Yes! The United Way of Hill County Crab Boil will kick off Hill County’s annual fundraising campaign in the fall. The planning committee will begin meeting in March. Volunteers are welcome. Contact Danielle at unitedway@havremt.net to get involved.
In partnership with the Hill County Boys & Girls Club, United Way of Hill County will be reaching out to the community as part of the Community Heart & Soul project. This initiative is supported by the Montana Community Foundation to help rural communities identify what makes them unique and build upon their strengths.
Hill County nonprofits struggle to find volunteers and board leadership. United Way of Hill County will also be working to grow volunteerism, both by identifying and supporting emerging leaders and connecting people of all ages to impactful volunteer opportunities in Havre and Hill County.