Montana Fuel Funds

• The Energy Share program in Montana is funded by voluntary contributions from individuals, organizations, churches, and utilities. In 2010 it paid $895,803 in benefits for fuel bill obligations or emergency heating system repairs. The fund is unique in that it provides assistance as a loan rather than a grant and encourages recipients to repay their loans so that the money can be used to help another household in need.

  In 1997, Energy Share established an endowment, made possible by state legislation that provides a 50 percent tax credit for planned gifts and corporate donations to a qualifying endowment.

• Emergency funds from small electric cooperatives

LEVERAGING

2010: $1.1 million
2009: $1.4 million
2007: $1.4 million
2006: $1.5 million
2005: $1.8 million
2004: $1 million
2003: $688,670
2002: $578,540
2001: $580,228
2000: $405,288
1999: $162,612
1998: $162,612
1997: $166,188
1996: $112,293
1995: $96,601