What We Support

Since 1984, the Billings Clinic Foundation has partnered with our community to fund programs, facilities, and scholarships that make quality healthcare accessible and innovative. Explore how your support drives lasting impact.

Philanthropic Initiatives

Overview

Since 1984, the Billings Clinic Foundation has been privileged to steward over $125 million in donor-driven support toward Billings Clinic’s mission. In 2024 alone, the Foundation distributed more than $12 million across capital projects, technology upgrades, educational programs, patient assistance, and clinical innovations.

Current funding priorities include completing the historic $30 million Level I Trauma Capital Campaign, launching new operating suites, and enhancing regional transfer and SICU facilities — made possible through the transformative $12 million grant and challenge match from the Helmsley Charitable Trust.

How We Choose What to Support

The Foundation’s Board of Directors, in consultation with clinical leadership and community stakeholders, evaluates funding opportunities based on:

1. Community needs & feasibility – Prioritizing projects with regional reach and measurable outcomes (e.g., Trauma Center, psychiatry residency).

2. Clinical impact – Spotlighting investments that upgrade patient safety, save lives, or reduce care access disparities.

3. Sustainability – Focusing on initiatives that lead to enduring improvements, including endowed scholarships and training programs.

4. Donor alignment – Matching gifts to areas aligned with donors' passions and matching fund opportunities (e.g., Helmsley match).

This systematic process ensures each gift maximizes both immediate and long-term impact for our communities.

Impact by Priority

2024 Financials

Department Programs & Patient Aid

• Employee Crisis Fund, Patient Housing & Lodging, Billings Clinic Kids, and other Patient Assistance Funds offer direct financial aid - combined grants totaled over $100,000 in 2024.

• In 2024 specifically:

  • Billings Clinic Kids received $21,412

  • General patient assistance: $17,255

  • Employee Crisis Fund: $29,295

  • Patient housing: $34,057

Education & Training

• Scholarships awarded: over $19,000 in 2024 to high school seniors, trade students, current employees, EMTs, and paramedics.

• Montana's first internal medicine and psychiatry residency programs established through donor funding and Helmsley grants — units now fully accredited and graduating local physicians.

Special Projects & Campaigns

• Annual fundraisers like the Billings Clinic Classic and Make March Matter raise critical support for targeted needs, including pediatric patient expenses and mental-health training.

How We Keep Our Supporters Informed

We believe in transparency and stewardship — engaging our community through:

• Annual “Report to Our Donors”: An in-depth financial and impact overview covering funding totals, project progress, and patient stories. View the full 2025 report here.

• Quarterly Philanthropy Newsletter: Features donor spotlights, campaign updates, new scholarship awards, and clinic improvements.

• eNewsletter & social media updates: Timely announcements about major gifts, matching campaigns, on-the-ground progress updates, and invitations to events.

• Website project pages:

  • Learn more about Make March Matter and the Piggy Bank Fund here.

  • Scholarship Program details and application timelines here.

• Follow us on social media: Instagram and Facebook