Montana Nonprofit Association

In response to a suit filed by Democracy Forward on behalf of the?National Council of Nonprofits,?American Public Health Association,?Main Street Alliance?and SAGE, a District Court issued a nationwide block to OMB’s freeze on federal grant disbursements, in a relief to all that rely on essential services like disaster relief, Meals on Wheels, domestic violence shelters, and so much more. This marks the fourth legal win for the American people in the last four days. We will continue fighting to disrupt anti-democratic actors at all levels and in all corners of the U.S. Right now, the courts really are the front line. Read the full statement here:?bit.ly/4kiDkZ5

A helpful timeline for those trying to figure out what's going on with the federal funding freeze / unfreeze & NCN's lawsuit. MNA is a member of National Council of Nonprofits - so as a member of MNA, YOU are part of this work.

Recognizing, celebrating, and remembering Black History is more important today than ever. Nonprofits understand that unfair systems in society can cause gaps in services and unequal access to resources. We work to fill those gaps and help meet the needs of people who have not gotten the same opportunities as others. There is a big racial economic gap in America. For example, 1 in 3 Black children live in poverty, while only 1 in 10 White children face the same situation. In the nonprofit world, Black-led nonprofits make $47,700 less on average than White-led nonprofits. Black History Month is a chance to learn about the important contributions of Black Americans and Black Montanans to our society, as well as the ongoing issues of racial inequality. We have a great resource with suggestions for how to recognize – and celebrate!- Black History Month as a nonprofit in Montana. Black History Month in Montana: https://lnkd.in/eJdPnjg4 Missoula Public Library's Black History Month reading list: https://lnkd.in/em75TbTs Image: Millie Ringold, an African American mining prospector in Yogo near Lewistown and former slave, stands in front of three log cabins. From Montana Historical Society archives.

Nonprofits, including in Montana, are still struggling to get grant money that they've been promised. Big kudos to Blackfoot Challenge for getting your story out there. https://lnkd.in/gf9Qjb6Y

"Montana wouldn’t be Montana without our small towns and nonprofits working on the ground. Our communities are seeing incredible results. LCFs and nonprofits support and uplift our small towns, which is critical for their survival. If we want to see thriving downtown areas and encourage young people to return home to start families or businesses, we need every resource at our disposal, and local nonprofits are among the most vital tools we have." Well said. Thanks for your partnership and support of Montana Nonprofits, Mary Rutherford and Montana Community Foundation. ?? ??

Did you know that almost 12% of working Montanans are employed by a nonprofit? The nonprofit sector is the top industry in Montana when you look at the amount we pay in wages - more than $3.6 billion in 2023. By number of employees, only the retail and accomodations industries beat us. Nonprofits generated over $9 billion in revenue in 2023, and redistributed that to our communities in the form of services and wages. These are just a few highlights from MNA's 2025 Economic Impact Report, which shows the value of nonprofits not just as providers of essential services, but as an important economic force. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gK8hNV4c #nonprofitsmatter

ACTION ALERT: House Bill 245 is up for a vote on Friday, February 7. *jargon alert*: This bill lifts the sunset on Medicaid expansion in Montana (aka making it permanent) and makes improvements to the associated workforce program ?? If you think healthcare is important - this bill is essential. Medicaid expansion enables people who don't have insurance through work to access affordable coverage through Medicaid. ? Call your representative today and ask them to vote YES on HB 245. Tens of thousands of Montanans have benefited from the lifesaving and affordable medical care that Medicaid has provided. Montana’s Medicaid program has strengthened our health care system, supported businesses, and boosted our economy while caring for our friends and neighbors. https://lnkd.in/gG5QhRhJ

WHEW. What a chaotic 24 hours. ?? ?? ???? To those of you who spent yesterday anxious and worried for your programs, your organizations, your jobs - we see you. We're with you. The memo pausing federal spending on thousands of programs has been rescinded, and we can breathe a temporary sigh of relief. Existing federal contracts and grant agreements will be enforced for now. But do not expect this to be the last we hear of attempts to cut federal programs. The next attempt may very well be better planned and harder to fight. Know that MNA is continuing to monitor attacks on nonprofits at both the state and federal level, and we will continue to build resources to help your organization weather times of turmoil. Please reach out if you need help finding those resources. ?? If your organization continues to be impacted by this memo or you experience roadblocks to recieving your funding please reach out to us In the meantime, over 200 nonprofit staff will be gathered tomorrow for Nonprofit Day at the Capitol in celebration of all the great things our sector does for Montana. We hope to see you there. Photo: a windswept wintery tree on the shore of Lake Hauser in Helena, courtesy Sophie Van Luvanee on Unsplash

As you have most likely heard, last night the Trump administration issued a "temporary" pause on all agency federal grants and loans effective at?5pm today, January 28. The?memorandum?leaves significant uncertainty about how broad this order extends and what immediate and longer-term impacts are expected.? ? MNA is working closely with our partners at the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN), our state association colleagues around the nation,?state leaders, and members of our federal delegation to gain clarity and respond. Regardless of the breadth of this order, we are certain?this action, if implemented, will have dramatic impact across the nonprofit sector – and beyond – here in Montana. As we learn more, both about the rollout of this order and the impacts to organizations and communities,?we will keep you updated.?We are being careful to share what we know, so as not to add further confusion and uncertainty to an already uncertain circumstance.??Please join us this afternoon at 3pm MST for a Town Hall to discuss what we know and next steps moving forward.??https://lnkd.in/guhYUgP9 Please know that the MNA team stands firmly?with you in this anxious and uncertain time. You matter – to your constituents, your community, and this state.?This is a moment to stand together and lean into our community for support.? We will provide more information, resources, and support as soon as we have it.?Please visit this page for the latest updates: https://lnkd.in/g_ikyBnW

?? Nonprofits don't just deliver important services for our communities - they deliver big economic impacts! Here's some regional numbers from soon-to-be released 2025 Economic Impact Report. Make sure you're signed up for our newsletter so you can get the full report when we release it next week. *Data is compiled from the IRS Tax Exempt organizations master list and reflects data from the 2023 tax filing year.