Continues fourth annual 12 Days of Giving campaign

MISSOULA, MT - Continuing his fourth annual 12 Days of Giving campaign on Giving Tuesday, Governor Greg Gianforte today contributed a quarter of his annual salary to United Way of Missoula County, a nonprofit organization supporting stronger Montana families with a focus on education, financial stability, and health.

In October 2020, the governor committed to Montanans he would contribute his salary as governor to nonprofit organizations and charities in the state.

“Giving back and serving our neighbors is part of who we are as Montanans, and in that spirit, I’m excited to bring back our 12 Days of Giving this year,” Gov. Gianforte said. “For nearly 100 years, United Way of Missoula County has invested in Montana communities and created stronger futures for our children, and I’m proud to support the nonprofit as it furthers its mission.”

Founded in 1931, the nonprofit partners with local businesses, philanthropies, and nonprofits as well as with faith-based, educational, and other community organizations to promote early childhood literacy, mental health programs, and stable housing for Montanans in need.

As one of 1,800 community-based affiliates of United Way worldwide, the Missoula nonprofit raises approximately one million dollars annually to invest back in the surrounding communities locally.

One program administered and funded by United Way of Missoula County is the Imagination Library of Montana. Founded by Dolly Parton in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides a free book each month to any Montana child, up to age five, who is registered with the organization.

“To receive such a generous donation is just incredibly moving, it will help us so much. This donation will support our Imagination Library program that provides one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book to registered children each month. Studies show that children in the program head to Kindergarten ready to learn,” Chief Executive Officer Susan Hay Patrick said.

Last June, the first lady joined Dolly Parton in announcing the statewide expansion of Imagination Library in Montana. Prior to launching the initiative, the program was only available in some Montana counties and approximately 9,500 Montana children were enrolled. Today, Imagination Library of Montana has 63 local program partners in all 56 counties serving nearly 24,000 of the state’s eligible children. A child may be registered at imaginationlibrary.com.

United Way of Missoula County relies on the generosity of Montanans to support community programs and reach thousands in need. More information on the nonprofit and ways to donate may be found here.

Running through mid-December, the governor’s fourth annual 12 Days of Giving campaign will highlight the work of a dozen organizations serving Montanans in need.

- On the 1st Day of Giving, the governor and first lady donated new, unwrapped toys to the Helena-area Marine Corps Toys for Tots and encouraged Montanans to donate to their local campaign.

- On the 2nd Day of Giving, the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governor’s salary to the United Way of Missoula County.