With Giving Tuesday around the corner and year-end giving campaigns underway, we are pledging donations to organizations that matter to us and inspire the work we do. We would like to share that list with you, as well as a longer list of folks we think are doing meaningful work in the intersection between people and land.
Non-Profits We Are Supporting
Western Landowners Alliance* - The Western Landowners Alliance advances policies and practices that sustain working lands, connected landscapes, and native species. Based in Santa Fe, the landowner founded and led organization is dedicated to the health and prosperity of working lands in the American West.
One Montana* - One Montana works to create a sustainable and resilient Montana by identifying and resolving challenging social, economic and environmental issues that impact our state's diverse communities. The organization works to strengthen and unify communities by preserving the values and culture of rural and urban Montana, bridging the gap between the two.
Western Sustainability Exchange - Western Sustainability Exchange preserves the best of the west — farming and ranching heritage, wide open spaces, and wildlife habitat — all while strengthening rural economies. They pursue environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and community well-being as interlinked goals.
Yellowstone Public Radio - Yellowstone Public Radio provides in-depth news, public affairs, and cultural programming to a general adult audience in Montana and northern Wyoming. Their programming - investigations, story telling, and giving voice to those throughout our region - matters deeply.
Other Montana Non-Profits We Suggest Checking Out
Montana Land Reliance - Montana Land Reliance partners with private landowners to permanently protect agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and open space. They have conserved over 1 million acres to date.
Blackfoot Challenge - The Challenge creates better rural communities through cooperative conservation in the Blackfoot River Watershed. They have followed an inclusive, consensus-based model of public and private partnerships for over 25 years.
Western Native Voice - This social justice organization works to inspire Native leadership through community organizing, education, leadership, and advocacy. The perspective they amplify is one we need more of in every conversation facing the west.
Montana Free Press - An independent source for in-depth Montana news, information, and analysis, Montana Free Press covers many important issues. Our favorite is a featured section called Long Streets Project, which explores Montana’s economic future in ways few other publications or sources do.
Additional Non-Profits We Recommend Considering
Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition - RVCC envisions healthy landscapes and vibrant rural communities across the American West. Their work focuses in three areas: 1) Policy, 2) Storytelling, and 3) Learning.
Forterra - Forterra secures land for a sustainable future. The things they love about living in the Northwest depend on land—local food at the farmer’s market, parks and green spaces, neighborhood community gardens, affordable housing near transit, hiking trails to beautiful peaks and unparalleled wilderness. And their work helps keep the Northwest healthy and vibrant in these areas and beyond.
The Freshwater Trust- Fresh Water Trust’s mission is to preserve & restore freshwater ecosystems. They are pioneering the next generation of conservation specifically through an approach called Quantified Conservation. They are industry leaders in creative data-driven solutions and innovative problem solving.
Quivira Coailition - Quivira builds soil, biodiversity, and resilience on western working landscapes. They foster ecological, economic, and social health through education, innovation, and collaboration. Their New Agrarian Program is very literally connecting people to the landFresh Water Trust . They partner with skilled ranchers and farmers to offer annual apprenticeships in regenerative agriculture across the American West.
Wild Card
Montana Association of the Blind - Bozeman Chapter - For many of us, sight is central to our connection to place. But the saving connection to land does not require seeing and extends far beyond sight. We can’t say enough good things about this group and the necessary role they play giving tools, hope, and meaningful connection to those in and throughout our community.
*Clients of Topos & Anthros