The 1979 Legislature enacted the originating statute that created the Domestic Violence Program. The primary source of funding for the Domestic Violence Program at inception was marriage license fees. These fees continue to be collected, but the primary source shifted to federal funding in 1986. Chapter 484, enacted by the 1997 Legislature, established an additional funding source for the Domestic Violence Program. The state program manager applies for federal grant funds on an annual basis.
Federal funding is based on the population of the state.
The increased federal and state special revenue funding allowed for the addition of five new programs and increased grant awards for existing programs. Grants to Local Programs Domestic violence grants are awarded by the state program to nonprofit organizations on an annual basis. The grant solicitation process begins with a request for proposal advertised in local newspapers and sent to all funded programs. Upon the receipt of a grant application, a selection committee reviews the applications. In addition to the state Domestic Violence Program, local domestic violence programs can apply for grants from the Montana Board of Crime Control, the Sexual Assault Grant Program, and national organizations.