FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Greater Gallatin United Way to Host Annual Kickoff Campaign Meeting
Bozeman, MT (August 23, 2023) –Greater Gallatin United Way will be hosting the Annual Campaign Kickoff Meeting on Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 at 11:00 am, at MSU’s SUB Ballroom. The meeting officially kick starts the United Way’s 2023 United in Purpose Fundraising Campaign and inspires others to “live your purpose” and create a lasting impact in the community. This year’s guest speakers include Robert J. Watson, EdD, Executive Director, School Administrators of MT and First Lady of Montana, Susan Gianforte.
Founded in 1978, Greater Gallatin United Way (GGUW) supports local programs that impact the lives of thousands of Greater Gallatin Valley neighbors each year. Currently, GGUW United Way partners with 15 local partner agencies and programs providing services in Health and Mental Well-being, Youth Success, Early Learning, and Basic Needs. GGUW’s kidsLINK out-of-school initiative provides more than 1,500 children and families affordable, safe and enriching childcare options when school is not in session.
“We know when we come together as a community for one purpose, we can create real impactful change. And that is powerful,” said Kim Hall, Greater Gallatin United Way CEO. “The economic impact of a pandemic, local natural disasters, and the rising cost of living has affected us all – But it has exponentially affected our working families living paycheck to paycheck. Through the Annual Campaign, we can create a community where neighbors can stop surviving and start thriving,” added Hall.
All money raised in the United Way Annual Campaign stays in the local community to help support the network of Community Impact partner agencies and GGUW’s programs for working families. GGUW Partner Agencies such as Help Center, Child Care Connections, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin County, Bozeman School Foundation, CASA/GAL Gallatin County, Montana Mindfulness, Haven, and Befrienders help create a safety net for working families in the Greater Gallatin region and meet the most pressing needs in our community.
In addition to supporting working families and local nonprofits, GGUW promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies, school districts and local businesses, helping them to work together for a shared goal. Through these partnerships, GGUW’s mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities is possible.
Join GGUW along with hundreds of community leaders, top employers, local nonprofits and community members who are making a difference every day, for the 2023-24 Annual Campaign Kickoff Meeting. This is a great time to share an inspired vision with the region's most generous and community minded people. www.greatergallatinunitedway.org
Robert J. Watson, EdD, Executive Director, School Administrators of MT (SAM). Dr. Watson has been a longtime supporter of GGUW and served on the board of directors for six years. His wealth of experience, collaborative abilities, and commitment to action for the education of Montana’s students for more than 30 years has earned the respect of the education community and all Montanan’s who have had the opportunity to engage with him.
First Lady Susan Gianforte is the wife of Montana’s 25th governor, Greg Gianforte.
Married since 1988, Governor and First Lady Gianforte are the proud parents of four children whom they raised in Bozeman hunting, fishing, rafting, climbing, skiing and backpacking on Montana’s public lands. They are also the loving grandparents.
First Lady Gianforte’s initiatives are focused on expanding STEM education and early childhood literacy resources.
In 1997, Susan and Greg founded RightNow Technologies from their Bozeman home. Both engineers, they grew RightNow into Bozeman’s largest commercial employer, creating over 500 high-paying Montana jobs. Before founding RightNow, Susan worked in a number of Greg’s startups as well as Bell Laboratories and KPMG.
The daughter of German immigrants to New York City, First Lady Gianforte earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Business Administration from New York University.
