Powered by Downtown Billings, the Spare Change for Real Change grant program helps Local Non-Profits impact homelessness, and alleviate poverty and addiction, and the public’s participation in those efforts.

The Spare Change for Real Change (SCRC) program awards micro grants of $1,000 or less to various local projects and providers who are effectively working to alleviate homelessness through education, housing, social services, treatment/rehabilitation, and re-integration.

Funds are raised through various the fundraising efforts;  The annual Downtown Purple 5K event (run/walk), sponsorships, individual donations made through our website, and the proceeds from the downtown Billings coloring book (linked below). The raised funds are granted out to service providers who prove to be making effective impacts in our community.

The NEED for change is here

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  • A 2021 Community Impact Study shows that it costs our community an estimated $111,050.16 to serve one chronically homeless individual for a year in emergency services and hospitalizations.
Click for more results from the 2021 Community Impact Study.
  • The study identified a total of 93 Chronic High Utilizers in the target population, resulting in $10,327,665 in public services each year.
  • The average yearly cost of the 93 Chronic High Utilizers adds up to $1.3 million.
  • Billings Clinic and Saint Vincent Healthcare (now Intermountain Health) estimated total cost for 2020 to these 93 individuals was $7.7 million in un-reimbursable care delivery.
  • In 2020, the Billings Police Department expended $2,587,665 in employee resources on these 93 individuals
  • 598 individuals experiencing homelessness in our community were recorded in the 2023 Yellowstone County Point in Time Count.
  • The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2023 report to Congress reported that between 2007 and 2023, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased in 25 states. Vermont had the largest percentage increase (218%), followed by Montana (89%), and New York (65%).
Click for more results from the 2023 HUD report
  • In nine states, the number of individuals experiencing chronic patterns of homelessness has more than doubled between 2007 and 2023, with the largest increases in Montana (551% more individuals experiencing chronic patterns of homelessness), Rhode Island (334%), Idaho (275%), Maine (253%), and Washington (195%).
  • Experiences of homelessness among unaccompanied youth increased in 39 states and the District of Columbia between 2022 and 2023. The largest percentage increases were in North Dakota (89%), Montana (76%), New Mexico (71%), and New York (62%).

programs with impact

Motivated Addiction Alternative Program (MAAP)

MAAP is a collaborative jail diversion program intended to move people from addiction and cyclical negative behavior through a continuum of assistance and treatment, designed to give people the hope and motivation needed for recovery and transformation.

Homeless Outreach Team (H.O.T.)

The H.O.T. is comprised of certified Peer Support Specialists and Case Managers with our partnership with Rimrock Foundation

Resource Outreach Coordinator (R.O.C.)

Downtown’s R.O.C. is Kody Christensen. The R.O.C. works closely with local non-profits to connect clients with services that will best match their needs. The R.O.C. also works with the Yellowstone County Continuum of Care and Substance Abuse Connect to collaborate and work to bring more funding opportunities to Yellowstone County.

2023 spare Change for Real change micro grant recipients:

Each recipient is a local project or program that are actively working to alleviate homelessness through education, housing, social services, treatment/rehabilitation, and re-integration.

  • Billings First Church: Washer and dryers for Shelter Guests
  • Diversion: Bus Tickets for clients going to Treatment

You can be a part of the Impact

All sponsorships and donations directly increase the number of grant recipients in 2024.

Become a spare change for real change program sponsor

Every little bit helps, scan the QR code to donate today or set up recurring monthly payments to help us bridge the gap between the city’s concerted efforts to impact homelessness, and alleviate poverty and addiction, and the public’s participation in those efforts.

For more information on how to get involved in Spare Change for Real Change efforts email Kody Christensen, Downtown’s Resource Outreach Coordinator, kody@downtownbillings.com

Purchase a downtown billings coloring book to benefit spare change for real change