The Red Ants Pants Foundation announced its 2018 community grants to projects that increase women’s leadership, promote rural communities and support working family farms and ranches.

Thanks to ticket sales and donations from past Red Ants Pants Music Festivals, the foundation has now given more than $100,000 in mission-based community grants.

“Long after the final act plays at the Red Ants Pants Music Festival, fans are making a lasting impact on rural communities, family farms and ranches all while fostering women’s leadership,” said Sarah Calhoun, Executive Director of the Red Ants Pants Foundation and Producer of the Red Ants Pants Music Festival. “Whether it’s supporting the Garfield County Fire Foundation’s work to educate teens or helping girls identify new leadership opportunities, the 2018 community grant recipients are doing important work that we are proud to support.”

Grant applications are considered based on how they best help fulfill the Foundation's mission of developing and expanding leadership roles for women, preserving and supporting working family farms and ranches, and enriching rural communities.

The 8th Annual Red Ants Pants Music Festival will take place on the Jackson Ranch, a working cattle ranch, outside of White Sulphur Springs July 26th – 29th. The 2018 festival will support the Red Ants Pants Foundation’s women’s leadership programming and 2019 Community Grant Cycle.
 

American Legion Auxiliary Girls State
Location: Statewide, MT
Grant Awarded: $1,500
The American Legion and its Auxiliary Units sponsor Boys and Girls State sessions in every state of the nation. Girls State of Montana is in its 70^thyear and has served close to 14,000 girls in Montana. Each year, 100-300 high school junior girls are provided a week-long interactive government learning experience. The summer session is a non-partisan participatory program that teaches young women responsible citizenship grounded in ethics, the principals of our nation's founders, and respect for God and Country. The Red Ants Pants Foundation grant will help to support rural attendees’ registration and travel expenses to attend this prestigious leadership conference.

Garfield County Fire Foundation
Location: Jordan, MT
Grant Awarded: $5,000
Garfield County Fire Foundation's mission is to secure early suppression fire equipment for the county and to serve as a recovery agent mitigating the negative impacts of wildfire on the community.  Parents of ranch-raised teens frequently delegate them to drive support vehicles alongside an adult operating fire suppression equipment on wildfires. The Red Ants Pants Foundation grant will help to fund our internet-delivered Teen Fire Safety mini-curriculum. This five-course series uses videos, personal testimonies, and written materials to develop awareness of fire behavior, educate on what to do if a piece of farm equipment bursts into fire, and demonstrate how to work with firefighters and other individuals. The lessons can be incorporated into science, math, FFA, 4-H and other courses for grades 7-12, or used to enhance community fire awareness for all ages.  
 
Kalispell FFA
Location: Kalispell, MT
Grant Awarded: $600
Kalispell FFA has been a part of the Flathead Valley since 1930 and continues to be a community-supported program serving two high schools and over 300 students annually.  The Red Ants Pants Foundation grant will be used to purchase women’s-specific welding gloves to help promote young women’s success in our welding program. FFA provides opportunities in a wide variety of career experiences, from traditional career paths to global agriculture.
 
Make it Happen Montana - Kindness Project
Location: Lewistown, MT
Grant Awarded: $1,600
Make It Happen Montana's Kindness Project was created because all too often only athletic achievements or unfortunate acts of poor judgement dominate the spotlight in our schools. This project celebrates the brilliance of quiet student heroes who inspire our teachers every day with their dedication, imagination, and thoughtfulness. The funds from the Red Ants Pants Foundation grant will help cover costs of the production and assembly of this heartwarming project that honors these outstanding young people and seeks to make kindness cool again.

Miss Rodeo Montana, Inc.
Location: Statewide, Montana
Grant Awarded: $1,000
At Miss Rodeo Montana, Inc., our vision for each young woman is that they may acquire a greater understanding of the world around them, improve self-esteem and self-confidence, gain valuable life skills, and gain opportunities for advancement of their personal and professional lives. We strive to also educate the public about the professional sport of rodeo, our western way of life, and the role of agriculture. With this grant from the Red Ants Pants Foundation, we plan to help bridge the gap between the local pageants and state organization.  We will be offering assistance to local royalty to attend our yearly state clinic that we host in October. We hope to educate and help as many local girls as we can to gain knowledge and experience in interviews, public speaking, etiquette, and other tools needed to be a successful rodeo ambassador.
 
Turner Farms
Location: Missoula, MT
Grant Awarded: $1,700
Turner Farms is a small, organic family farm on the fringe of Missoula. Our mission is to continue the legacy of agriculture in our area while educating the next generation about the importance of local food and local farmland. Funds granted by the Red Ants Pants Foundation will be used to purchase garden carts for the farm to be used by the groups of young people and school groups who come to work on the farm, and also for families to use during our annual Pumpkin Festival as they explore the farm!
 
Wheatland County Chamber of Commerce
Location: Harlowton, MT
Grant Awarded: $2,100
Wheatland County and its residents are interested in promoting community-focused educational and recreational events in Harlowton and are working diligently to improve the Wheatland County Fairgrounds. This half-million-dollar project includes the renovation of the grandstands built in 1910, repairs and improvements to the youth fair building, and replacing the perimeter fence and arena lights. The Red Ants Pants Foundation grant will be used to add a sink and running water to the youth fair building. 
 
Women Leading Montana
Location: Statewide MT
Grant Awarded: $1,500
Founded in 2017, Women Leading Montana inspires growth and creates common ground through connection and celebration.  In Great Falls this October, we will bring together a diverse group of 150 women from all corners of the state of Montana to sharpen leadership skills, make meaningful connections, and celebrate our accomplishments in Montana. Our convening will include leadership training, issues education, an awards ceremony, community tours, and of course celebration. The Red Ants Pants Foundation grant will support rural attendees’ participation in this regionally-significant event. 

To learn more about the Red Ants Pants Foundation's mission and programming, visit www.redantspantsfoundation.org.