From D.C. to Gallatin County: What National Policy Changes Mean for Local Nonprofits

Earlier this year, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R.1) became law, introducing sweeping federal changes that are already being felt by nonprofits across Gallatin County. These shifts aren’t theoretical or far off, they're playing out right now in our community, reshaping the work of local organizations and the lives of the people they serve.

This moment presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Here’s what H.R.1 means for local nonprofits, and how we can respond together.

The Big Picture

Essential services are under strain.
New restrictions on programs like Medicaid and SNAP are reducing access to food and healthcare for many Montanans. Local organizations expect to see more people walk through their doors and are being asked to do more with fewer resources.

Federal funding is declining.
Support for affordable housing, education, environmental protection, and other core programs is being reduced or eliminated. Nonprofits that once relied on federal grants are now facing increased competition for fewer dollars.

Charitable giving incentives are shifting.
Recent tax policy changes are reshaping the landscape for charitable giving. A new universal deduction offers modest benefits for middle-income donors, while changes to itemized deductions may reduce large-scale giving from donors who have historically supported nonprofits at higher levels. Learn More

Policy uncertainty is depleting nonprofit capacity.
Some parts of H.R.1 are making it harder for nonprofits to carry out their missions. Organizations across sectors are facing new federal regulations that don’t reflect the realities they see in their communities. Instead of focusing fully on serving others, they’re spending more time trying to navigate complex policy changes and respond to shifting requirements.

Local Impact in Gallatin County

These challenges are already showing up in tangible ways:

 

“We were recently impacted by a federal funding freeze that took effect July 1, which paused critical summer program dollars and created a lot of uncertainty—not just for the current season, but as we look ahead to the next school year. These programs are essential for working families, providing a safe and enriching environment for kids during summer, after school, PIR days, and school breaks. They are not only about child care, they support academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and long-term outcomes like graduation and reduced incarceration.”

— Greater Gallatin United Way | Kimberly Hall, President & CEO

“The Gallatin Wildlife Association has been in service to the community for 49 years, leaving next year as our 50th anniversary. In all that time, I seriously doubt that our organization has seen the amount of negative impact as we will from this moment in time, much of that coming from the passage of H.R. 1, the Big Beautiful Bill. This bill along with the series of other efforts by this administration will surely affect the ecological quality of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) as we know it.

This bill’s passage will prioritize timber harvest across the west, including lands in our own backyard. This act alone will degrade the landscape and the ecological integrity of GYE by the construction of more roads and increasing timber production. All of this design action will cause habitat fragmentation, degrade wildlife habitat security, decrease the forest’s ability to sequester carbon to mitigate climate change, and increase the likelihood of inviting invasive species to the landscape. For us that means more time fighting the system with more hours during the day, and less time enjoying the world as we would like to live it.”

— Gallatin Wildlife Association | Clint Nagel, President

“HRDC understands the need for a balanced budget and wants to be part of the solution. Over the past 50 years, we’ve adapted to many shifts in federal priorities, and we know that strong community solutions are built through local partnerships.

However, proposed cuts to core funding, including the Community Services Block Grant, would not only threaten the stability of critical services our neighbors rely on, including food, housing, energy assistance, and transportation, but will also limit our ability to multiply those dollars into greater impact. We use this flexible funding to match other grants, launch innovative programs, and respond quickly to community needs, which creates real, lasting benefit for Southwest Montana.

At the same time, cuts to safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid will increase demand for our services, making it even harder for families to get the help they need.”

— HRDC | Heather Grenier, President & CEO

“A cut in federal funding has a huge financial impact on the senior members in our rural community of West Yellowstone. We are a very small program and now we are facing increasing meal prices that could financially hurt people that are already people in need.

Another area impacted is grant funding. It is becoming more difficult to secure grant funding to supplement our programs that really support seniors in need.”

— West Yellowstone Senior Center | Lindsey Charlton

“We are experiencing broad social change at an unprecedented rate. Gallatin Valley families may experience less access to support for food, healthcare, and other services, which means that Thrive's programs are in demand more than ever.

We are committed to our mission — that all children here have the opportunity to grow, succeed, and become valuable members of our community. To that end, supporting Thrive's work means you are a part of the movement to keep this valley strong and sustainable for years to come.”

— Thrive | Virginia Hanson, Executive Director

 

How One Valley Is Responding:

To help nonprofits adapt, One Valley Community Foundation created the Nonprofit Resiliency Fund, a flexible fund that is designed to support things like:

  • Grant readiness and diversification trainings

  • Scholarships for staff development and retention

  • One-on-one advising and tailored tools

  • Access to legal and financial expertise

We’re also supporting donors in this new environment. Through personalized philanthropic advising, consistent communication, and in-person conversations, we help donors give with clarity and impact.

Why Local Giving Matters

This is not just about dollars. It’s about families trying to make rent, seniors needing hot meals, kids needing safe spaces to grow, and the long-term health of our lands and waters. When federal support pulls back, local generosity becomes essential.

What You Can Do

  • Support the Nonprofit Resiliency Fund. Your gift strengthens local organizations across Gallatin County and helps them adapt in a time of change.

  • Give through your donor advised fund. Whether your fund is with us or elsewhere, now is the time to act. If your fund is held with a national sponsor, consider moving all or part of it to One Valley for local insight and personalized support. Already have a fund with us? Consider contributing now so you’re ready to respond when needs arise.

  • Start a fund. If you don’t have one yet, we’ll help you open a donor advised fund that aligns with your values and allows you to give strategically, now and into the future.

  • Give directly. A great way to start is by calling the nonprofits you care about and asking what they need most right now. Your gift can help meet real-time needs on the ground.

  • Spread the word. Help others understand how national policy decisions are affecting Gallatin County, and how local generosity can help close the gap.

The Bottom Line

H.R.1 may be the law, but our local response is up to us. We can choose generosity, strategy, and vision. We can choose to support nonprofits that serve our neighbors with compassion and care.

If you’re ready to be part of that, we’re here to help. Reach out to our Philanthropy Manager, Jill Ellwood at jill@onevalley.org or 406.587.6262 x20, to explore how One Valley can support your giving goals and connect you with the causes you care about most.

Anna Burkholder