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Montana Nonprofit Association’s policy work supports and advances an optimal nonprofit operating environment.

MNA advocates at all levels of government to inform policymakers of the impact of nonprofits and promote policies that enable nonprofits to advance their missions.  MNA understands that consistent policies which advance equity enable the work of charitable nonprofits everywhere and are critical for nonprofits to provide for the public good and contribute to thriving communities in Montana and beyond.

Advocacy Center Policy Objectives Policy Agenda Public Policy Council

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Public Policy Objectives

Unite and strengthen the nonprofit sector as a collective force to improve the quality of life in Montana.

Build the capacity of the nonprofit sector in Montana to understand, monitor, and act on public policy issues that affect nonprofits.

Promote public policies that are inclusive, equitable, and representative of the values broadly associated with a thriving nonprofit community.

Educate and strengthen relationships with policy makers, partners in government, and the public to increase respect and support for the nonprofit sector.

Advocate at all levels of government to promote public policies that enable Montana nonprofits to advance their missions.

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Public Policy Agenda

Montana Nonprofit Association’s public policy agenda represents our long-term framework for addressing public policy that impacts and strengthens nonprofits in Montana. The following agenda items represents the core focus areas of MNA’s public policy agenda and was developed in consultation with MNA membership and the broader Montana nonprofit sector:

  1. Nonprofit Practices, Reputability, and Accountability 

    Nonprofits can only be successful through earning and maintaining public trust. MNA promotes the ability of nonprofits to operate at the highest levels of integrity and transparency and be accountable to the public and communities they serve.

    • MNA supports an appropriate level of government regulation and enforcement to protect the public’s interest while upholding the integrity of the nonprofit sector
    • MNA supports policies that protect the decision-making autonomy and self-governance authority of charitable nonprofits
    Montana Nonprofit Association Ethics

  2. Charitable Giving

    MNA recognizes that public generosity and engagement are essential to a strong nonprofit sector, including volunteerism and philanthropy.

    • MNA supports policies that promote volunteerism and incentivize charitable giving
    • MNA supports policies that support integrity in philanthropic practices and balances transparency with donor rights
    Montana Nonprofits Donor Support

  3. Tax Treatment of Nonprofits  

    MNA promotes and advances policies that preserve tax exemption of nonprofit organizations.

    • MNA supports policies that protect tax-exempt status in recognition of the value nonprofits bring to society and communities
    • MNA supports policies that reflect parity for nonprofit employers alongside their for-profit counterparts
    Montana Nonprofit Tax Benefits

  4. Nonprofit-Government Relations 

    MNA improves and strengthens the essential partnership between nonprofits and local, state, and federal government agencies and processes in Montana.

    • MNA supports reforming government contracting to balance accountability needs with reduction of unnecessary and burdensome requirements
    • MNA supports policies that ensure that those most impacted by government policies and regulations are included in the decision-making process
    Montana Nonprofit Association Advocacy

  5. Workforce Development & Capacity Building 

    MNA advances policies and partnerships that strengthen and sustain the nonprofit workforce.

    • MNA supports policies that ensure nonprofits are included in statewide workforce development initiatives
    • MNA supports inclusion of an appropriate and competitive wage base for nonprofit employees in government contracts and grants
    • MNA supports policies that promote government funding for nonprofit capacity building
    Montana Nonprofits Network

  6. Advocacy and Lobbying Rights 

    MNA protects the advocacy rights of all 501(c)(3) organizations and strengthens the ability of Montana nonprofits to engage in the public policy arena.

    • MNA promotes policies that ensure 501(c)(3) nonprofits can advocate fully and freely within the law, and corrects misperceptions and clarifies lobbying laws and regulations for charitable nonprofits.
    • MNA opposes policies that restrict the advocacy rights and responsibilities of charitable nonprofits.
    Montana Nonprofit Public Policy

  7. Civic Engagement  

    MNA supports policies that promote the ability of nonprofits and the people they serve to participate fully in the institutions and processes of democracy.

    • MNA supports policies that protect and increase the ability of citizens to exercise voting rights
    • MNA clarifies the appropriate role of nonprofits in advancing civic engagement
    Montana Nonprofit Collaboration

  8. Budget – Revenue and Appropriations  

    MNA supports a budget structure, including both revenue and appropriations, that meets the needs of today’s Montana.

    • MNA supports public investment in resources that equitably meet the needs of Montana’s people and advances public/nonprofit partnerships as an effective way to support the state’s communities
    • MNA opposes arbitrary and across-the-board budget cuts that undermine the ability of nonprofits to deliver vital services
    • MNA opposes practices that lead to government contracts and grants that do not fund the full cost of expected nonprofit services
    Montana Nonprofits Accounting

Criteria for Implementing Advocacy & Public Policy

The following criteria will be used by the Public Policy Council in considering whether MNA should engage in policy advocacy on a particular issue:

Impact – Does this issue affect the interests of the nonprofit sector in a significant way?

Support – Is there, or do we reasonably anticipate there will be, general support among the members of MNA on the position to be taken?

Credibility – Would MNA as an organization be perceived as a legitimately concerned and appropriate advocate for the position to be taken?

Generally, MNA focuses on issues that affect the entire nonprofit sector, or a vast majority of the sector; however, MNA may offer direct advocacy and/or awareness-building support for sub-sector issues such as housing, childcare, workforce development, and/or others that widely impact the nonprofit sector. In general, MNA opposes policies that divide 501(c)(3) organizations based on mission, philosophy, or services provided. In this context, MNA’s public policy efforts will encompass issues which:

  • Have statewide application or effect; or
  • Have local or limited application but are determined to have statewide policy significance;

AND

  • Have general relevance to the creation, management, operation, administration, and well-being of nonprofit organizations in the State of Montana; or
  • Are of broad, community-wide importance, and are likely to have such a significant impact on the people and causes nonprofits serve that it is appropriate for the voice of the nonprofit sector to be represented in the policy debate.

The following criteria will be used by the Public Policy Council in considering whether MNA should engage in policy advocacy on a particular issue:

Impact – Does this issue affect the interests of the nonprofit sector in a significant way?

Support – Is there, or do we reasonably anticipate there will be, general support among the members of MNA on the position to be taken?

Credibility – Would MNA as an organization be perceived as a legitimately concerned and appropriate advocate for the position to be taken?

Generally, MNA focuses on issues that affect the entire nonprofit sector, or a vast majority of the sector; however, MNA may offer direct advocacy and/or awareness-building support for sub-sector issues such as housing, childcare, workforce development, and/or others that widely impact the nonprofit sector. In general, MNA opposes policies that divide 501(c)(3) organizations based on mission, philosophy, or services provided. In this context, MNA’s public policy efforts will encompass issues which:

  • Have statewide application or effect; or
  • Have local or limited application but are determined to have statewide policy significance;

AND

  • Have general relevance to the creation, management, operation, administration, and well-being of nonprofit organizations in the State of Montana; or
  • Are of broad, community-wide importance, and are likely to have such a significant impact on the people and causes nonprofits serve that it is appropriate for the voice of the nonprofit sector to be represented in the policy debate.

The MNA Public Policy Council

Hilary Shaw

SECRETARY | Montana Legal Services Association • Kalispell

Jim Bennett

CHAIR Gift & Estate Planning Director, Montana Community Foundation • Havre

Ned Cooney

Consultant, NedCooney.com • Big Fork

Adam Liberty

President, Billings Catholic Schools Foundation • Billings

Patrick Maddison

CEO, Flathead Industries • Kalispell

Jeff Mangan

Founder, Mangan & Bennion • Craig

Tori Matejovsky

Executive Director, Great Northern Development Center • Wolf Point

Aidan Myhre

Consultant, AM Consulting • Helena

Jamie Palagi

CEO, Intermountain • Helena

C.B. Pearson

Consultant • Missoula

Kaia Peterson

Executive Director, NeighborWorks Montana • Missoula

SK Rossi

Consultant, Central House Strategies • Helena

Mary Rutherford

President & CEO, Montana Community Foundation • Helena

Jono McKinney

President & CEO, Montana Conservation Corps • Bozeman

Jason Smith

Executive Director, Montana Consortium for Urban Indian Health • Helena

Emily Wolfram

Executive Director, Montana Performing Arts Consortium • Great Falls

Jenn Olson

Government Affairs Director, Montana League of Cities and Towns • Helena

Katie McLain

Executive Directpr, Montana Community Action Network • Florida

Leonard Smith

CEO, Native American Development Corporation • Billings

Rose Bender

Director of Research, Montana Budget and Policy Center • Helena

Apply to Join the MNA Public Policy Council

Montana Nonprofit Association (MNA) is seeking interested individuals to be part of our Public Policy Council, advising and informing MNA’s policy activities. The Council is made up of individuals with direct professional, volunteer, or personal experience in nonprofit advocacy and public policy. The Council works closely with MNA staff to create and implement a comprehensive policy agenda addressing the numerous policy issues that impact the nonprofit sector.

Function of the Public Policy Council


The Public Policy Council makes recommendations to the MNA Board of Directors on setting public policy goals and objectives of the organization. The Council advises and assists MNA staff in selecting appropriate policy issues and positions; in lobbying and advocating MNA positions; and in planning and implementing other activities related to the public policy objectives of MNA.

Application Process

Interested individuals should complete the form below. If you have questions, please reach out to Lorianne Burhop, MNA’s Policy Director at lburhop@mtnonprofit.org.

Apply Now

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