MT Depart. of Justice Announces Grants to Fund Wishes of Montana's Seriously Ill Children

Today, the Montana Department of Justice announced the availability of $67,730 in Chrome for Kids Wish Fund grants.  These funds are made available through a special Chrome for Kids motorcycle license plate that is used to fund efforts by Montana-based nonprofit corporations which grant wishes to chronically or critically ill Montana children. 

“Thanks to the generosity of Montana’s motorcycle owners, the wish of a chronically or critically ill child can now come true,” said Attorney General Tim Fox.  “Families who are dealing with a seriously ill child often struggle simultaneously with the financial aspect of their loved one’s diagnosis, leaving little for a dream vacation or activity.   The Chrome for Kids Wish Fund grants offer a way for Montana’s non-profits to help improve the lives of ill children in ways that are meaningful to them and their families.”

Grant applications will be accepted by the Motor Vehicle Division at the Montana Department of Justice through October 30, 2013.  Grants will be awarded by November 30, 2013.  Funds awarded through these grants must be used within two years of the award.

Grant criteria are: 

(1) Only Montana-based nonprofit public or private corporations which have received IRS 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt designation and whose purpose includes assistance to chronically or critically ill Montana children may apply for a Chrome for Kids Wish Fund grant. 

(2)  Funds must be used to provide a chronically or critically ill Montana child a special wish.  No more than 10% of awarded grant funds can be used for program administration by the applicant. 

(3)  Children’s wishes shall be determined by the parents or legal guardians of minor children in consultation with the child and an attending healthcare provider and may be of the following type:  (a) a visit to a special place such as a children’s theme park or a city or metropolitan area to experience unique or different food, arts, education, entertainment, and culture; (b) a trip to participate in or observe a special activity such as a rodeo, baseball game, surfing, or other physical/sports activity; (c) financial assistance to provide improvement in the quality of life for the critically or chronically ill child as determined by the attending physician and parents/legal guardian; or (d)  a special activity such as a birthday party or celebration of the child’s life as determined by parents/legal guardian.

Grant applicants must submit the following materials with each grant application:  The legal title of the nonprofit organization and the address of its principal office; a list of the organization’s board members and their occupations; a copy of the organization’s IRS tax-exempt designation; the name of the proposed grant, the amount of funding requested, the general purpose of the proposed grant, a specific description of how any awarded grant funds would be used; and any evidence of public support for the proposed grant.  Successful grant applicants will be required to provide the Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division with a report, once grant funds are exhausted, that details specifically how the grant funds were used. 

Applications can be submitted to the attention of the Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division Administrator at PO Box 201430, Helena, Montana  59620-1430; or emailed to [email protected].   For more information, call (406) 444-3638.