Growing Friends of Helena, Inc. was founded in 1990. It funds and conducts planting projects, educates the public and decision-makers, and encourages and assists local government. In 1998, the National Arbor Day Foundation recognized Growing Friends’ successes with one of its Project Awards.

Growing Friends is nonpartisan and nonpolitical. It is a membership organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Growing Friends has no staff or office and, therefore, has a minimum of overhead expenses. Growing Friends is a Montana nonprofit, public benefit, corporation. It is exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions to it are deductible for federal and state income tax purposes.

GF is not required to file a full Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service because of the level of its revenues, but it does file Form 990-N (the “e-Postcard”) each year.

Its tax identification number is 81-0465218.

Growing Friends Mission Statement
Growing Friends Articles of Incorporation
Growing Friends By-Laws

GFH Adopted Strategic Plan 1.4.2024

The following individuals serve on Growing Friend’s Board of Directors:

• Ben Brouwer, Vice President
• James Driggers, Grant Program Chair
• Tom Flowers
• Rob Friestadt
• Mindy Flanders, Treasurer
• Jason Gildea
• Ann McCauley, Secretary
• Mackenzie Petersen, President
• Robert Throssell
• Bob Werner