The Greater Glendive Community Foundation (GGCF) enhances life in Dawson County, Montana, through grants, partnerships, and public engagement under the Montana Community Foundation. GGCF supports initiatives focused on local history, education, and economic growth.
Key Focus Areas:
- Supporting local nonprofits and civic initiatives
- Encouraging community involvement and collaboration
- Strengthening Dawson County’s long-term endowment
Stay Connected: Please explore our Current Projects to see how you can get involved, as well as learn about our Future Initiatives and Past Achievements. Your support and participation can make a lasting impact on our community’s growth and prosperity.
Past Projects:
Old Chamber Building Beautification Project
Status: Completed
As part of GGCF’s downtown revitalization efforts, the windows of the historic Old Chamber Building—located by the Merrill & Towne traffic light—were transformed into a vibrant community showcase.
The project invited local residents to submit high-resolution photos capturing life and leisure in Dawson County, including scenes from:
- Makoshika State Park hikes
- Fishing or paddlefishing on the Yellowstone River
- Motorbiking adventures
- Playtime at the skatepark or splash pad
The selected images were printed as large-scale banners and now brighten the building’s windows, celebrating Glendive’s community spirit and outdoor culture. Contributors were credited on each banner, and after three years, they’ll have the option to keep their banner or allow GGCF to continue displaying it in public spaces like the airport or city lobbies.
This project added a dynamic, visual element to Glendive’s downtown—and stands as a great example of how small beautification efforts can have a big impact.
Downtown Master Plan Development
Status: Completed
As a foundational project for the Greater Glendive Community Foundation, the Downtown Master Plan represents a pivotal step in reimagining the heart of Glendive.
In collaboration with the Montana Main Street Program, GGCF played a key role in funding and facilitating this community-driven initiative. The plan was developed with the input of residents, local leaders, MSU Architecture students, and partnering organizations to create a shared vision for a more vibrant, connected, and resilient downtown.
The comprehensive plan focuses on:
- Economic Development: Supporting local businesses, attracting new investment, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and tourism.
- Historic Preservation: Highlighting Glendive’s architectural character and restoring key buildings to reflect the town’s unique identity.
- Public Spaces & Streetscapes: Enhancing walkability, safety, and the visual appeal of downtown through improved landscaping, signage, lighting, and gathering areas.
- Community Engagement: Encouraging collaboration between government, nonprofits, businesses, and citizens to implement the vision.
Thanks to this blueprint, GGCF and community partners have already launched several improvement projects—from façade renovations and the Old Chamber Building makeover to beautification of the Barry Street underpass. The plan continues to serve as a roadmap for current and future efforts to revitalize downtown Glendive, promoting pride, sustainability, and growth.
View the full Downtown Master Plan here.
Current Projects
Downtown Beautification and Revitalization
Status: Ongoing
As part of GGCF’s long-term commitment to making downtown Glendive a vibrant, inviting space for both residents and visitors, the Downtown Beautification and Revitalization initiative continues to bring positive transformation to the heart of the city.
This multi-phase project includes efforts like:
- Installing colorful hanging flower baskets along 12 blocks of downtown, bringing seasonal beauty and a sense of charm to the commercial corridor.
- Upgrading the Barry Street underpass, with painted murals, landscaping, and structural improvements to create a safer and more attractive gateway into downtown.
- Encouraging storefront improvements by working with property owners to revitalize building facades and contribute to the area’s historic character.
- Community clean-up efforts, where local volunteers, teachers, and students come together to remove weeds, sweep sidewalks, and contribute to shared spaces.
These ongoing enhancements foster community pride, support local businesses by attracting foot traffic, and lay the groundwork for future economic growth. GGCF continues to support new beautification efforts each year, guided by the Downtown Master Plan and in collaboration with city departments, local businesses, and other nonprofits.
Current Grant Project
Grant Projects
A grant project is a specific community initiative, improvement, or program that receives funding from the Greater Glendive Community Foundation (GGCF) through their grant application process. These projects are typically proposed by local organizations, nonprofits, or civic groups and are funded because they align with GGCF’s mission to enhance life in Dawson County through: Beautification, Youth development, Historic preservation, Community wellness, Art and culture, Infrastructure and accessibility improvements
2008-2014
Completed
Beautification/Cleanup
Healthy Communities
Board up windows in GTA elevator
Community GATE
Parent Resource Center (matching grant)
Playground equipment – Kool Kids
Brett Fitch Skate Park – Jaycees
Refurbish grand piano – Eastern MT Concert Assoc.
Equestrian program – Special Olympics
Miss MT added to Fallon Billboard
Miss MT Scholarship Program
Hub City newsletter
Roof over grandstand – Legion Baseball
Gallery roof repairs – DC Arts Unlimited
Youth outreach (music) – Eastern MT Concert Assoc.
Little Bucs Mentoring Program – DCC
Tennis workshop – Glendive Tennis Association
iPad & case for family use – DEAP
Bell Street Bridge brochures – Bell St Bridge Committee
Wrestling Mats – Mat Devils
Art Gallery lighting – DCAU Gallery
Composting Bins – Community GATE
BB Shooting Rebounder – DCC
Freezer & Refrigerator – Dawson Co Food Bank
Splash Park – Through DCHCC
2016-2018
Photo banners in windows – Old Chamber Building
Painted Old Chamber Building (w/ community help, Guelff Lumber, Thrivent)
Landscaped by Barnicks – fence, rocks, bench
Cleanup 2016 – Taco John’s lot (Angie Hagen)
Downtown Revitalization – MSU Architecture Students
Cleanup 2017 – Deb Toepke incentive funds
Downtown Master Plan – GGCF Matching Funds
Lifesize “Born to Hunt” bronze statue – In memory of Ty Milne
Underpass Beautification – Murals and landscaping (w/ community donors and businesses)
2019-2024
Little Growers Garden Club – Raised bed supplies
Frontier Gateway Museum – Siding/exterior facelift
Bridger Bronze Statue Trail – “Ground Tied” and “Gonna Be a Rodeo”
GROW (Glendive Recycles Our Waste) – Start-up, signage
DCEDC – Refurbish & light T-Rex sign
Friends of Makoshika – Outdoor movie screen/projector
Underpass project – Trees, dirtwork, murals
Community GATE – Pigeon control
Love Like Justice – Lighting Bell Street Bridge
Yellowstone Plains Foundation – Airport bronze “Radio Flyer”
Dawson Co. 4-H Council – Poultry building at fairgrounds
Makoshika Wellness – Kayaks, life jackets
Hanging flower pots – Northwest Farm Credit grant
Flowers & Brackets – Mindt Machine, water tank, wand
Neighbors Helping Neighbors – Signage
Dawson Community College – Bikes for student use
Dawson County Arts Unlimited – Summer Kids art camp (2 years)
Dawson County 4-H – Dividers for fair displays
DCHS Art Dept. – Community art murals
EPEC – Refurbish exterior: paint, lighting
Differences between Grant Projects and Other Projects:
Feature | Grant Projects | Other Projects (e.g., internal, campaigns) |
---|---|---|
Funding Source | Community Foundation grants awarded through an application process | Often internally initiated or funded through separate campaigns like “Give Local” |
Initiated by | Local nonprofits, schools, civic groups, or individuals who apply | GGCF board, volunteers, or partners directly |
Purpose | Specific outcomes (like installing murals or building a skatepark) | Broader goals (like raising awareness, outreach, or fundraisers) |
Approval Process | Must apply and be selected through a grant review | Often decided internally by GGCF board |
Community Impact | Tangible improvement or program | Often supportive, promotional, or fundraising in nature |
Recognition | Listed as “Grants Given” with project name and recipient | Often shown under “Programs,” “Initiatives,” or “Events” |
Future Projects
If you have a project or initiative in mind that could enhance life in Dawson County, we’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s beautifying a space, supporting local youth, promoting the arts, or something entirely new—your ideas matter. Help us build a stronger, more vibrant community by sharing your vision.