Grants That Make a Difference

Rooted in Values. Focused on Impact

We introduce you to worthy charitable organizations that we support. Amicus offers MATCHING GRANTS for charities that advance education, conservation and our mission. Amicus does not accept funds but instead directs you to each recommended charity’s website. The charity receiving your donation will bill us for the match. We expect and honor full transparency with all donors and non-profits.

Funds Raised

Countries

Matched Grants

Rooted in Values. Focused on Impact.

Learn how Amicus Foundation selects and supports transformative initiatives.

Our Mission

Amicus Foundation is faith based and family focused. We leverage our talents and financial resources to assist “well managed and effective”, non-profit organizations. We expect those organizations to produce results for their constituents. We will be strategic with our investments to maximize impact in each of our focus areas: families, faith, conservation, health , veterans and education. A healthy family and environment provides for the success of a Nation.

About Us

The Amicus Foundation was established in Montana in 2015 by John and Sheila Lake of Cameron Montana. We have two boys and three grandchildren. Sheila taught ESL English as a Second Language to farm worker’s children and John was an engineer and ultimately the CEO of a large water equipment rental company. In our life’s experience, we have been involved with special needs children, outdoor activities, University educational boards, church, and community organizations. We have hosted 5 foreign exchange students which helped us to expand our view of cultures and the world. Faith, family, freedom, and friends provide the energy and guidance for Amicus Foundation. The outdoors inspires us.

Faith

“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain,” (Psalm 127:1). “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,” (Psalm 33:12a). We support ministries that educate and support belief in the Triune God, the assurance of salvation, and provide tools for understanding the Bible. We believe in America’s foundational religious values.

Families

We believe in supporting the traditional family structure by supplying the resources necessary to keep families intact. This support also extends to organizations that serve individuals with special needs and their families.

Education

“Education fuels the future.” We support organizations that believe in and teach traditional values. We also support merit and performance-based education at all levels. We believe that education should teach the difference between facts and feelings.

Conservation

We support sustainable management of our forests, wetlands, deserts, oceans and wildlife. God created the world for his people to steward. Good stewardship involves the implementation of practical scientific management of our resources to preserve them for future generations to enjoy.

Health

We support organizations that provide support services for the disabled whether mentally, physically, or psychologically impaired.

Veterans

We support organizations that help veterans find peace, purpose and meaning in their civilian lives after their years of dedication and service to our country.

Double the Impact with our Matching Grant Program

Through our Matching Grant Program, every dollar you give is matched—doubling your impact for organizations serving those in need. Your generosity goes twice as far in supporting life-changing work around the world.

Join us in fueling this mission—because when we match, we multiply.

Double the Impact with Our Matching Grant Program!

John and Sheila Lake of Amicus Foundation are pleased to announce a $10,000 matching grant for private, faith-based institutions in Montana. These grants are specifically for Classroom Teachers. Our fund matching has no minimum, with a maximum of $2,500 per project.

  • Fund Raising Amount: $10000 100% 100%

Our Featured Charities

Teen Challenge Bakersfield

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promise 686

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Village South Africa

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Eagle Mount

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GRIZZLY & WOLF DISCOVERY CENTER

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Child Bridge

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Standing with Hope

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Keeper Transformational House

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ACE Scholarships Montana & Wyoming

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Outdoor tomorrow foundation

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CASA/ Gal Montana

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Imagination Library

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Amicus Foundation Success Stories

Beyond Measure

Private, Faith-based Montana Schools Matching Grant Program

The Amicus Foundation is partnering with Beyond Measure to provide a matching grant to all private faith-based schools in Montana. This matching grant provides classroom teachers with the opportunity to raise funds to purchase supplies for their classrooms such as book sets, student whiteboards, art supplies, microscopes, etc.

Beyond Measure is a crowdsourcing platform that connects private school teachers with community donors to provide resources necessary to enrich the educational experience of their students.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)

Reaching the Ends of the Earth with Mission Aviation Fellowship

In 2024, the Amicus Foundation supported Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) as they brought life-saving care and the hope of the gospel to some of the most remote places on earth. From delivering vaccines in the Congo, to helping launch a school in Papua, Indonesia, MAF’s work reflects our shared commitment to meet both physical and spiritual needs. Through thousands of flights, MAF reached isolated communities with medical aid, Bibles, and compassionate support—all made possible by dedicated partners like you.
Click below to read the full story and see how your generosity is making an impact across the globe.

Prison Ministries | Angel tree Foundation

Serving Children of Incarcerated Parents Throughout the Year

This spring the Amicus Foundation proudly awarded a grant in support of Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program—a mission-driven initiative that reaches children and families impacted by incarceration. The purpose of this grant was twofold. First, to strengthen and expand church participation in the Angel Tree Christmas Program through enhanced training and engagement strategies. Second, to fund summer camp scholarships for Angel Tree children, giving them the opportunity to experience spiritual growth, community connection, and the joy of childhood in a nurturing camp environment.

African Parks

Conservation Partnerships in Zakouma National Park, Chad

In April 2021, the Amicus Foundation traveled to Zakouma National Park in Chad to observe the elephant anti-poaching teams at work within the park. As a result of this trip, the Amicus Foundation funded a portion of the ranger training and supplies to continue to support their conservation efforts.
Conservation efforts in many national parks across Africa are dependent on community engagement. Rangers, in national parks like Zakouma, build relationships with the villages surrounding the park and provide community support and outreach to them. In return the villagers help control outsiders from coming into their villages and the neighboring national park to poach elephants and other wildlife. The integrated conservation approach of African Parks has helped restore the elephant population in Zakouma as well as many other critical ecosystems. With both the courage and persistence of its diverse people, Zakouma National Park is an inspiration for what is possible when partnerships are formed with a common vision to protect biodiversity for the sake of people and wildlife.

Independence through grace

Empowering Independence at ITG

In the fall of 2024, the Amicus Foundation awarded a grant to Independence Through GRACE to support staff certification in benefits counseling. This specialized training equipped team members to better assist individuals with disabilities in navigating public benefits like SSI and SSDI, empowering them to make informed employment decisions. With this support, ITG continues to advance its mission of helping adults with developmental disabilities achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency.

CASA Montana

Changing a Child’s Story Through Advocacy

At the Amicus Foundation, we are committed to protecting the most vulnerable—especially children who have experienced abuse or neglect. That’s why we’re honored to support the Montana CASA/GAL Association and their vital mission: to ensure every child in Montana’s foster care system has a trained, compassionate advocate by their side.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and GAL (Guardian Ad Litem) volunteers are appointed by judges to represent the best interests of a child in court. These consistent adult advocates offer stability, support, and a trusted voice during a child’s most uncertain moments. By partnering with local CASA programs and child protective services across the state, Montana CASA/GAL is changing the trajectory of young lives—one child at a time.
As supporters of this work, we believe every child deserves to be seen, heard, and safe.

Past matching grants

Kern County World War II Veterans Memorial

My father, Walter G “Jerry” Lake served in WWII with many of his Kern County friends. Roy “John” Barker was one of those dear friends. John Barker’s P51 was shot down near the end of the war and he was killed by the German SS. That is how I—John Lake, Amicus Foundation Director—received his name.
The Kern County WWII Memorial memorializes the men and women from our community who died in the war. On the back of the monument are the engraved names of those men and women who served and lived. God bless our veterans.

Niassa Reserve, Mozambique

Leopard and Large Predator Population Study

The Amicus Foundation funded a crucial population study for leopards and large predators at the Niassa Reserve in Mozambique.

Project

Analysis

ZAKOUMA NATIONAL PARK

With both the courage and persistence of its diverse people, Zakouma National Park, Chad, is an inspiration for what is possible when partnerships are formed with a common vision to protect biodiversity for the sake of people and wildlife.

Angel Tree Prison Fellowship

CASA/ Gal Montana

K Love Radio Network

Salvation Army Butte

Child Bridge

Scouts Of America

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Samaritans Purse

Surgical Eye Expeditions

Montana Youth Challenge Academy

CASA Court appointed special advocates for children

Haggai International

Madison Valley Medical Center

Warriors Quiet Waters Bozeman

Bakersfield Pregnancy Center

Village South Africa

Charlie Russell Museum

International Christian Ministry

MIssion Aviation Fellowship

Your Network of Praise Havre Montana