In the heart of Montana, where rugged landscapes meet tight-knit communities, the real story of strength lies not just in the peaks and prairies, but in the people. At the forefront of this human-powered transformation stands Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country, a nonprofit devoted to mentorship, resilience, and the quiet, daily victories that shape Montana’s youth.

While the Bigs and Littles of this region meet for board games at the library, or ski afternoons at Bridger Bowl, they’re also quietly threading together a more substantial and vibrant social fabric. But this story doesn’t stand alone. Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of over 12,000 nonprofits across the state, part of a sector that’s often overlooked, yet vital to Montana’s strength and economy.

Mentorship Rooted in Montana

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country serves children across Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, and Madison Counties, offering consistent, one-on-one mentoring that opens doors for kids facing adversity. Whether through school-based programs, where older high schoolers mentor elementary students, or community-based matches that connect kids with caring adults, the organization empowers youth with the confidence, connection, and tools they need to thrive.

In rural towns like Livingston, Big Timber, and Ennis, where youth often face limited access to out-of-school opportunities, the impact of mentorship can be life-changing. The presence of a consistent, trusted adult is more than just meaningful—it can be transformative. In Big Sky, where rapid development and economic shifts have made it harder for working families to stay, the school-based mentorship program has become a vital thread of community continuity. The program doesn’t just benefit students; it also strengthens relationships between the school district and local families, while employing local staff who live, work, and invest in their community’s future.

When a program like this disappears, the ripple effects can be profound. After the closure of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Yellowstone County, many matches were left without services. While Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country stepped in to absorb some of those youth, many were left without the consistent mentorship they had come to count on. It’s a stark reminder that when nonprofit programs disappear, the cost is felt most acutely in the lives of children and families.

Closer to home, Gallatin County recently saw the permanent closure of two long-standing nonprofits: the Montana Science Center and Child Care Connections. The Science Center, after 23 years of inspiring young minds through hands-on learning, was forced to shut down due to financial challenges. Child Care Connections, which had supported early childhood development and access to affordable care for over four decades, closed its doors due to lost contracts and shifts in state funding. Their absence leaves critical gaps in support systems for families across the valley.


Nonprofits Montana’s Quiet Powerhouse

Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters don’t just change lives, they power our economy. Across Montana, the nonprofit sector employs over 50,000 people—roughly one in ten workers—and contributes more than $10.5 billion in incomes returned to the state through mission-driven work. In Gallatin County alone, nonprofits generate approximately $928 million annually.

These are not just soft-hearted missions—they are economic engines. From counselors and caseworkers to scientists and food system coordinators, nonprofits provide essential services that the government and the private sector often can’t or won’t take on. Their reach spans early education, housing, health care, mental health, food access, and conservation—building the very infrastructure of our communities.

As Adam Jespersen, Executive Director of the Montana Nonprofit Association, recently stated,
“When actions are taken to undermine ‘those nonprofits,’ the harm is not to some amorphous NGO. Rhetoric and actions that strip support for nonprofits undermine your community and the local nonprofits dedicated to it.”

Business and Community A Shared Investment

The impact doesn’t end with essential services. Nonprofits foster community engagement, inspire corporate social responsibility, and offer tax-deductible donation opportunities. Montana boasts a 31% volunteerism rate, and employers are increasingly weaving nonprofit partnerships into their company culture through volunteering, giving campaigns, and in-kind donations.

If you are a local business leader, please consider making adjustments that could benefit the community. Supporting local nonprofits strengthens the very services that keep our towns connected, supported, and growing. Here’s how your business can help:

- Financial contributions or event sponsorships
- Encouraging employee volunteerism, either individually or as a corporate team
- Joining a committee or board to offer professional leadership and insight
- Donating in-kind services like yard maintenance, plowing, business signage, web development, or     cybersecurity—crucial services often outside a nonprofit’s limited budget

These actions help ensure organizations like BBBS can keep doing what they do best—supporting the people who need it most. You likely know someone—perhaps even a friend, coworker, or family member—who has been positively impacted by a nonprofit.

A Community Call to Action Bowl for Kids’ Sake

A fun, tangible way to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country right now is by participating in Bowl for Kids’ Sake, their largest and most recognized annual fundraiser. This community-driven event brings together nearly 400 bowlers and over 5,000 friends and neighbors to raise funds and awareness for youth mentorship programs.

Event Details:
- Livingston at Treasure Lanes: April 25, 2025
- Bozeman at The Bowl: May 16, 2025
- Multiple bowling times are available!

Teams of five or six register and commit to raising a minimum of $400. The event is full of music, costumes, prizes, and community spirit—and all funds directly support local youth mentoring programs.

Join the fun and make a difference:
- Sponsor the event as a business or local leader
- Register a team with your coworkers, friends, or family
- Volunteer to help run the event and cheer on the bowlers

Find more information about sponsoring, volunteering, or registering a team at www.bbbs-bigskycountry.org or by emailing events@bbbs-bigskycountry.org.

As Amy Crees, Development and Outreach Manager at BBBS, shares; “Growing up, my family utilized several nonprofits during a time of food and housing insecurity. We didn’t have health insurance and when my sister had to have surgery, March of Dimes covered the cost, keeping our already struggling family from going into medical debt.

Having felt the impact and support of nonprofits growing up, I became a Big Sister in my early 20s. That one decision launched what I knew would be a lifetime of working with and for children, eventually landing me back at BBBS as an employee.

When my kids were little, a playgroup facilitated by Thrive (then known as the Parent Place) created a community I didn’t know I needed, introducing me to lifelong friends—those moms and kids are now our chosen family. And the Children’s Museum, which eventually became the Montana Science Center, offered a warm, affordable place to learn, play, and connect with other moms and their kids during Bozeman’s long winters. My life has been so positively impacted because of nonprofits in Montana.

When Montana’s nonprofits are strong, Montana is strong. Let’s make sure the services we count on continue for generations to come. Support a nonprofit. Create a CSR plan. Sign up to bowl. Because big change starts one match at a time—and it starts with us.