In Chuck We Trust

The enduring gift of Charles Anceny.

Charles “Chuck” L. Anceney was the epitome of a true Montanan, possessing an unshakeable spirit, straight priorities, and a deep, resounding care for the land. He created the Charles L. and Polly Anceney Gallatin Valley Fund, a grant program dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity, restoring habitat, managing resources sustainably, and protecting public access in one of Montana’s most cherished landscapes. The fund is managed by the Montana Community Foundation (MCF).

Chuck’s grandfather, Charles Angelique Anxionnaz, immigrated from France to Montana in the mid-1800s, promptly Anglicizing his name to Anceney. His family established the sprawling 120,000-acre Flying D Ranch in Gallatin Gateway, which was sold to Ted Turner in 1989.

Born in 1914, Chuck spent his first 20 years wrangling livestock on the ranch until his father passed in 1936. A competitive skier, he left the ranch to participate in—and win—slalom races and alpine jumping contests across Montana and Idaho. He later worked at the Diamond J Ranch in Ennis, where he met his future wife, Polly.

During World War II, Chuck served as a naval aviator in the Pacific Theater, earning numerous accolades for his service. He continued his military career at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Upon his retirement in 1960, Chuck and Polly then returned to their beloved Big Sky country, settling into a small cabin on the Gallatin River, where they lived together until his passing in 2006.

In 2001, Chuck vowed to protect the land he so deeply cherished and established a trust for the Gallatin Valley to support nonprofits, academic institutions, and government agencies working to preserve the region’s natural wonders. All funds go directly toward large-scale conservation projects benefiting the entire community.

Rebecca Connors, Marketing & Communications Director for MCF, explains, “The great thing about starting an endowment and a legacy is supporting the people and causes you care about. Chuck’s love for the Gallatin Valley focused on making sure it continued to thrive and that conservation efforts went beyond his lifetime.”

The first grant cycle launched in 2025, awarding $175,000 to 11 nonprofit organizations dedicated to preserving the valley. Among the grantees were the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Montana Trout Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Wild Montana, and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC). Funded projects included wildlife passage initiatives, watershed solutions, and research & restoration of native species. Each grantee submits a one-year project report detailing how the funds were utilized.

Holly Hill, executive director of the Gallatin Water Collaborative (GWC), shared how the Anceney Fund has strengthened the GWC, a community-wide effort to plan for the future of water.

“With this support, farmers, city & county planners, developers, and conservationists are all sitting down at the same table to share ideas, find common ground, and chart a path toward a healthy, resilient Lower Gallatin Watershed,” Holly says. “We’re grateful for this funding, which makes it possible to move from plans and ideas to community-supported action on the ground.”

As the accomplishments supported by the trust continue to grow, Chuck Anceney’s dream of an everlasting Gallatin Valley moves closer to reality.

Applications for the 2025 grant cycle have closed and will re-open in 2026. For more information, visit mtcf.org.