Montana Chamber Foundation

It’s not too late! The MCF, JMG, AND Empowered are hosting a teacher professional development in August 😍 It feels like Christmas bringing all these amazing programs together. See below for details, we’d love to see you there!

Join us August 4–6 in Helena for a collaborative professional development conference hosted by the Montana Chamber Foundation, Empowered, and Jobs for Montana Graduates (JMG). Open to all educators, this event combines practical classroom strategies with real-world workforce connections through shared sessions and targeted breakouts for JMG and non-JMG participants.

Educators will explore Empowered’s 8 foundational principles, learn about programs like The Prospects, Market Days, and Cultivating Careers, and gain hands-on tools to help students build durable skills, explore careers, and take ownership of their learning. Participants will leave with fresh ideas, valuable connections, and practical resources they can use right away.

👉Register Here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdP0VJzvlR6N3gHclORM7DmtW9yIlR1rgkqdSbK3ypDiO-ahA/viewform

🎉 Montana’s top teen entrepreneurs were crowned at the 2026 Prospects Grand Champion Pitch Competition at Jake Jabs College of Business at MSU Bozeman!

Students from across the state competed for $18,000 in cash prizes and scholarships, showcasing innovative businesses ranging from custom apparel and ag technology to healthcare support and surf safety products.

🏆 Existing Business Winners:
🥇 GRAND CHAMP YAU Studios – Declan Reed (Missoula)
🥈 A.M. Pork – Adelaide Meyer (Stevensville)🥉 Cooney Precision Genetics – Ella & Reese Cooney (Harlowton)
⭐ Sunny Sips – Alyssa Hanninen (Missoula)
⭐ ShortCut Customs – Tristen Short (Great Falls)

🏆 New Business Winners:
🥇 GRAND CHAMP Enduro Surf – Lachlan Lurgio (Missoula)
🥈 Luminex Aquatics – Hart Miller (Billings)
🥉 Ag Together App – Kaiya Cardwell (Billings)
⭐ Kitchell Creation – Makaio Kitchell (Frenchtown)
⭐ Care Lift – Brock Gardipee (Helena)

Now in its sixth year, The Prospects received more than 200 student submissions statewide, proving Montana’s next generation of entrepreneurs is already making an impact.

There’s fresh spring snow on the mountains, and 11 hopeful entrepreneurs are making their way to Bozeman today to compete for the title of Grand Champion and a $5,000 prize!

If you’re in the Bozeman area, we’d love to have you join us. The competition begins tomorrow morning, Monday, May 18, at 9:15 AM at the Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship. It’s shaping up to be an incredible event, and we can’t wait to cheer on these amazing finalists!

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors to help make this happen and to Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship for hosting us.

On April 29, we had the opportunity to bring Montana Chamber Foundation’s Cultivating Careers event to Seeley-Lake — and what an incredible day it was!

More than 200 students in grades 6–12 from five schools connected with over 40 businesses and organizations to explore hands-on career experiences and real-world opportunities right here in their communities.

From learning CPR compressions to checking oil and antifreeze, students had the chance to step outside their comfort zones and discover new career paths in an interactive, engaging environment.

A few student highlights from the day:

💬 “The helicopter guy who showed how to put a breathing tube in was the most fun activity… I learned how to insert a breathing tube.”

💬 “I liked when Glenn from Glenn’s Automotive was showing how to check oil and antifreeze and all the things.”

💬 “My favorite activity was all of them! I loved how you pushed us out of our comfort zones and made us explore all of these different real-world opportunities!”

Thank you to all of the schools, businesses, volunteers, and community partners who made this event possible. The future workforce is bright!

Big things happening TOMORROW… actually, make that two big things! 👏

What’s better than one Cultivating Careers event? Two!

One in Seeley-Swan (hosted by Michele and Matt—be sure to say hi!) and one in Livingston (James will be at this one—go say hi!).

Huge thank you to Montana State University for partnering with us to make these events happen, and a special shoutout to Blackfoot Communications for sponsoring snacks for the hungry high schoolers at Seeley-Swan High School! 🙌

Want to learn more about Cultivating Careers? Check it out here:
https://montanachamber.com/montana-chamber-foundation/

It’s finally here!!!!! I’m putting the final touches on our 2026 Prospects Virtual Awards Show! Please tune in with us via Zoom at 11:30am TOMORROW (Thursday, April 23rd) to see who our winners are!

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88159895742?pwd=4ic1CEzTDo2ciSWAlc3kGIO96pBcN9.1

Congratulations to our $25 Amazon gift card recipients! 🎉 Keep up with our Newsletter and socials for more chances at gift cards and teacher support ✨

If you aren’t receiving our newsletter, please reach out and I’ll add you to our list! It’s filled with info and support. [email protected]

✨ Celebrating Montana Teachers This March ✨

While February highlights CTE Month and May marks Teacher Appreciation Month, this March the Montana Chamber Foundation is bringing those celebrations together — and dedicating the month to honoring Montana educators.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible Montana teachers who partner with the Montana Chamber Foundation and bring the Empowered curriculum to life in their classrooms.

Your work goes far beyond lesson plans. You are shaping futures, building confidence, and helping prepare the next generation to lead, work, and contribute to Montana’s communities.

In a profession that is too often under appreciated, please know that your dedication matters. We are deeply grateful for the impact you make every single day.

Go visit our previous post to be entered in a drawing for one of two $25 Amazon gift cards! You don’t need to be a teacher to enter, just a supporter of the Montana Chamber and Montana educators 📚

🎉 GIVEAWAY 🎉

We’re celebrating our amazing teachers and supporters this month and are doing a special giveaway! 2 lucky winners will receive $25 Amazon gift cards!

Here’s how to enter:
1️⃣ Make sure your following our page
2️⃣ Like this post
3️⃣ Tag a friend in the comments (each tag = one entry!)

Winner announced on at the end of this month!

💡 Why The Prospects? Washington Middle school teacher (Glendive, MT) Michael Hopfauf said this:

The Prospects has benefited many of my students in different ways. It has helped students grow in self confidence, find joy in coming to school, boosts engagement, and has increased students problem solving skills. My favorite part is the relationship building you have when they are talking about their interests within projects.

It’s not too late to discover the benefits of The Prospects in your classroom! 💥 Deadline for entries is Friday, March 13th at midnight. Visit our website to learn more: 🔗 https://montanachamber.com/montana-chamber-foundation/prospects/