Lima Community Foundation Awarded $6,375 Grant to Support Local Businesses, Tourism and Community Development

LIMA, Mont. — The Lima Area Community Foundation has been awarded a $6,375 Reimagining Rural Next Step Grant to help strengthen the community, support local businesses and promote tourism and recreation in the Lima area.

The funding is part of a statewide initiative announced November 2, 2026, by the Montana Community Foundation, which awarded a total of $107,150 to 15 Montana communities for locally driven improvement projects.

The Reimagining Rural program is spearheaded by Montana State University Extension in partnership with the Montana Community Foundation, with support from the Wells Fargo Foundation.

Grant Will Support Lima's Community Development Efforts

The $6,375 grant awarded to the Lima Area Community Foundation will focus on several priorities intended to strengthen the community and surrounding areas.

According to the Montana Community Foundation, the funding will help:

• Strengthen connections among communities in the Lima area.

• Support local businesses and economic activity.

• Develop digital skills and leadership capabilities.

• Promote tourism and recreational opportunities.

• Build on the Lima Welcome Center and community revitalization priorities.

The project is designed to build on ideas and priorities already identified by local residents, allowing the community to continue working toward its long-term development goals.

The Lima Welcome Center is among the existing community efforts the grant will help build upon.

Investing in Montana's Small Towns

The Reimagining Rural program was developed to help Montana's smaller communities turn local ideas into meaningful projects.

Through the program, participating towns identify opportunities to improve their communities, strengthen leadership and encourage economic development.

"Montana's small towns are full of people with ideas and determination to make their communities stronger," said Mary Rutherford, President and CEO of the Montana Community Foundation.

"We're grateful for our partnership with MSU Community Vitality and the Wells Fargo Foundation's generous support for Reimagining Rural grantmaking. Together, we're helping communities turn locally driven ideas into meaningful projects that build momentum for a vibrant future."

Fifteen Montana Communities Receive Funding

Lima is one of 15 communities across Montana selected to receive funding through the latest round of Reimagining Rural Next Step Grants.

The grants totaled $107,150 statewide.

Communities eligible to apply had participated in the Reimagining Rural Virtual Series earlier in 2026.

The Next Step Grants provide an opportunity for those communities to move from planning and discussion into implementing projects.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, government entities and schools.

Projects supported by the program are intended to strengthen local leadership, improve downtown areas and help create vibrant places to live and work.

Building on Community Momentum

Jennifer Anderson, MSU Associate Specialist in Community Vitality, said the program recognizes the importance of investing in Montana's rural communities.

"Reimagining Rural is grounded in the belief that Montana's small towns matter—and are worth investing in," Anderson said.

"Next Step Grants help communities turn inspiration into action, building local capacity and making tangible improvements that reflect residents' vision for their hometowns."

For Lima, the grant provides additional support for community-driven efforts involving tourism, business development, digital skills and leadership.

While the funding amount is relatively modest, the program is intended to help smaller communities build momentum through projects that reflect local priorities.

About the Montana Community Foundation

Founded in 1988, the Montana Community Foundation supports communities across the state through charitable giving, grants, scholarships and other philanthropic programs.

According to the foundation, it manages more than $247 million in assets and administers more than 1,000 philanthropic funds and 1,000 planned gifts.

Since its founding, the organization has reinvested more than $137.5 million in Montana through scholarships, grants and programs.

More Information

For questions about the Reimagining Rural grant program, contact:

Peter Baker, Impact Programs Director

Phone: 406-218-6324

Email: peter@mtcf.org

Additional information about Montana Community Foundation grant opportunities is available at: Montana Community Foundation — Apply for a Grant

The Lima Area Community Foundation's award represents another investment in the future of rural Southwest Montana, helping support locally identified priorities and opportunities for the Lima community.