The grants are part of the Family Forward Montana Initiative, which aims to support a wide range of industries throughout Montana. Shelby Whelan, Zero to Five Montana’s Community Navigator, highlighted the program’s flexibility. “The beauty of this program is that there are so many different ways that employers can use these funds, depending on their need, their business, and their community,” she said.

These grants are open to a wide range of businesses, from large hospitals to small mom-and-pop shops. Whelan added, “That can be anything from health savings accounts all the way up to offering onsite or near-site childcare.”