Author Highlight

Lorianne Burhop

Lorianne Burhop joined Montana Nonprofit Association in March 2024 as its first Policy Director. She brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit advocacy, and is passionate about the role advocacy plays in shaping public policy, strengthening communities, and driving meaningful change. Originally from Darby, Montana, Lorianne holds a master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Montana. Lorianne lives in Missoula with her family and can often be found trying new recipes, exploring local parks and trails, or enjoying a cup of tea with a good book.

Sign our letter urging Montana’s delegation to protect nonprofit funding

July 23, 2026 • By: Lorianne Burhop, Public Policy Director

MNA is asking our member organizations to sign a letter to our federal delegation, asking them to protect nonprofits from federal funding delays and disruptions.

Nonprofits across every subsector work with the government to carry out its obligations. Whether we are providing education to boaters to stop invasive zebra mussels, building affordable housing in our communities, delivering meals to home-bound seniors, or any number of other programs, our work is critical to the health of communities large and small across the state.

Over the past eighteen months, nonprofits have seen unprecedented delays and disruptions to federal grants. Late funding awards, abrupt changes, shifting federal guidance, and delayed reimbursement create constant uncertainty and unreliable cash flow, making it difficult, if not impossible, to sustain long-term programs. Smaller and rural organizations have the least capacity to absorb this uncertainty, risking closures and loss of services in rural areas.

We are asking Montana’s congressional delegation to support Montana nonprofits by engaging with agencies to honor existing grant agreements, contracts, and obligations, and to provide clear, consistent, and timely guidance when funding decisions are made. We also ask the delegation to provide robust guardrails in FY27 Appropriation bills, and to engage directly with Montana’s nonprofit sector as they consider funding and policy decisions that affect our ability to serve our communities.

Sign the letter

Even if your organization doesn’t receive federal funding, we ask that you add your organization’s support to show that Montana nonprofits stand in solidarity together.

Read the Letter Add your Organization

List of Letter Signers

United Way of Missoula County

Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District

Montana Conservation Corps, Inc.

Family Service

ASPEN Abuse Support & Prevention Education Network

Montana Weed Control Association

Arlee Community Development Corporation

Northeastern Arts Network

Northern Plains Resource Council

Billings Symphony

Butte America Foundation

St. John’s United

The Myrna Loy

Covellite Presents

Mission Valley Live

Sunburst Arts and Education

Angela’s Piazza: Women’s Drop-In Center

Northeast Montana Health Services Charitable Foundation

Clay Studio of Missoula

Montana Land to Hand

Montana CASA/GAL Association

Yellowstone Art Museum

Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation Inc

Soft Landing Missoula

ODAA Open Door Advocacy Associates

Thrive

Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture

West Mont

Kids First Cast, Inc.

Leadership Montana

Bridgercare

Trust Montana

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul ~ Billings, MT

Cultivating Connections Montana

Hands On Global /HARRT

WaterWorks Art Museum

Anchor Support Service

Great Northern Development Corporation

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies- The Montana Coalition, Inc.

Front Step

Preserve Montana

Skipping Rock Strategies

Missoula Food Bank & Community Center

YWCA Helena

Dog Tag Buddies

Action Inc.

Montana Food Bank Network

Zero to Five Montana

Disability Rights Montana

Montana Performing Arts Consortium

Western Native Voice

NeighborWorks Montana

Allies in Aging

Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc.

Missoula Housing Authority

Northwest Montana Community Land Trust

Montana Art Gallery Directors Association

The Alberta Bair Theater

Montana Community Action Network

Invasive Species Action Network

CASA of Missoula

NCMEDD dba Sweetgrass Development

Angela’s Piazza, Inc.

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