Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 116 F O R T H E L o v e O F . . . ANOTHER OUTSTANDING MONTANA NONPROFIT. H O PA M O U N TA I N "H OPA" IS AN OLD ENGLISH WORD FOR HOPE, meaning what is desired becomes possible. Founded in 2004, Hopa Mountain invests in rural and tribal citizen leaders. By providing these leaders with training, mentoring, networking opportunities, and financial resources, Hopa Mountain advances the well-being of rural and tribal communities. Hopa Mountain provides support through seven core programs: • Hopa Mountain's StoryMakers: Working through local Community Teams in rural and tribal Montana communities, StoryMakers offers parents of 11,000+ children 0-5 resources, sup- port, and networks to build strong early learning home environments that give their children the best chances for success when they enter school and overall wellbeing throughout their lives. • Youth Leadership Programs: Hopa Mountain engages teens in challenging activities in their communities and outdoors to prepare them for productive lives as capable, contributing members of their families, peer groups, and communities. • Indigenous Scholars of Promise invests in high- achieving Native American and Latino high school students as they prepare to apply to apply and succeed in college. Hopa Mountain sup- ports each Scholar through college graduation. • Native Science Fellowships help teens, tribal college, university, and graduate students throughout Montana prepare for and earn geosciences degrees. • Strengthening the Circle, A Native Nonprofit Leadership Program provides Native Ameri- can nonprofit Executive Directors and Board members with resources, technical support, and networks needed to develop and strengthen vital community programs. • ough Nonprofit Leadership Training and Affiliate Programs, Hopa Mountain staff pro- vide training in Board development, strategic planning, and 501c3 application development in rural and tribal communities along with fis- cal sponsorship services. Hopa Mountain's vision for society is one where all youth and adults have the opportunity to live into their full potential. rough long- term initiatives, Hopa Mountain is commit- ted to supporting established citizen leaders as they fundamentally change what is possible in their hometowns and investing in future leaders through college preparation programs. By supporting local leaders', especially Indig- enous nonprofit leaders, using strength based approaches to community change and by linking them to additional resources, including regional and national networks, Hopa Mountain's Board and staff are contributing to rural and tribal community vitality throughout Montana. It is an exciting time, and important work, as citizen leaders are a force for strengthening community self-reliance, education, entrepreneurial ap- proaches, and social services. Hopa Mountain is able to accomplish this work through the generosity of people, like yourself, that are committed to improving opportunities in rural and tribal communities. For more informa- tion about how you can become a member or get involved in this work, contact: Executive director, Bonnie Sachatello-Sawyer 234 E. Babcock Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 586-2455 info@hopamountain.org. RAB CUMMINGS PHOTOGRAPHY Hopa Mountain's StoryMakers program Indigenous Scholars of Promise

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