Governor Greg Gianforte announced Wednesday that he is donating a quarter of his annual salary to The Producer Partnership, a Montana nonprofit dedicated to providing locally raised beef and other animal proteins to families in need across the state.
The Producer Partnership, founded in 2020, works with Montana livestock producers to accept donated animals, process them at no cost, and distribute the meat to food banks, schools, and charitable organizations. Since its inception, the organization has provided nearly 350,000 pounds of Montana-raised protein to communities statewide.
Gianforte’s donation supports ongoing processing costs and helps expedite deliveries, particularly amid increased demand caused by the federal government shutdown, which temporarily paused portions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The donation represents a quarter of the governor’s after-tax annual salary.
During a visit to the Livingston facility, Gianforte presented the donation and met with staff, volunteers, and students participating in the nonprofit’s internship program, which gives high school students hands-on experience in meat processing and school credit for their participation.
The Producer Partnership operates Montana’s first USDA-inspected nonprofit meat processing facility, employing 10 full-time staff members and working closely with the Montana Food Bank Network. In addition to food banks, the organization distributes protein to roughly 50 schools across the state, connecting local ranchers’ donations directly with Montana communities.
Since taking office in January 2021, Gianforte has donated his full salary to nonprofit organizations and initiatives that support Montanans. The governor’s contribution underscores his ongoing commitment to strengthening local communities and addressing food insecurity in the state.