Join our $900,000 Matching Challenge to Help Offset Montana PBS's $1.8 Million Federal Funding Cut
On July 24th, 2025, President Trump signed H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025 into law, cancelling two years of previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Beginning in October, Montana PBS will experience a shortfall of $1.8 million, which represents 20% of our annual operating budget. We’re calling on you to help us bridge the gap.
Fortunately, we’re not asking you to do it alone. To meet this unprecedented challenge, a group of generous Montana donors has stepped forward with a $900,000 matching gift, pledging to match dollar-for-dollar every contribution from the public until the full funding gap is closed.
Our free, independent, and Montana-first service is more essential than ever right now.
In a divided world, documentaries like Class C and programs like Backroads of Montana inspire pride, unity, and cohesion by drawing attention to the shared experiences and common concerns of all Montanans.
In a time of public education cuts, our PBSLearningMedia, Media Mavericks, and Teacher’s Box initiatives resource teachers with materials to make learning more fun, engaging, and effective.
In time of fading local journalism, our Montana PBS Reports programming and our MPAN service inform and empower citizens by providing trustworthy, independent reporting and an unfiltered window to the inner workings of state government.
Montana PBS has always been a public service, supported primarily by Montanans like you. If you’ve ever watched our programming and felt connected to our state and its people, now is the moment for you to consider how much Montana PBS matters to you personally, and to step up. There will never be a better opportunity. Every dollar you donate will be doubled by our group of very generous donors.
If you’ve never contributed before, become a first-time donor. If you are already a donor, consider doubling your annual gift or significantly increasing your monthly sustaining contribution. If you’re not in a position to give right now, you can still spread the word about our campaign with friends, family, and your community.
Help us Bridge the Gap today!
Bridge the Gap Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montana PBS going off the air? Are you ok?
We’re not going off the air and we’re doing ok! Obviously, the federal funding cuts hurt our collective morale somewhat and put us on shakier financial ground than we were previously, but we are nowhere near shutting down. You can rest assured Montana PBS will still be broadcasting for the foreseeable future.
I want to support but would prefer to mail in a check. Who do I make it out to and where should I send it?
That’s great! Just send it to the following address and write "Bridge the Gap" in the memo:
Friends of Montana PBS
c/o Development-Bridge the Gap
PO Box 173340
Bozeman, MT 59717
I already give to Montana PBS but I’d like to give more each month. How can I do this?
You can increase your sustaining donation by filling out this form or calling us at (406) 994-3437.
I heard Montana PBS recently completed fundraising for a new building. Is that still being built? Could those funds be redirected to offset the federal cuts?
In April 2025, we reached an important milestone with our $30 million “Building Possibilities” fundraising campaign for the expansion of our studios and offices on the Montana State University Bozeman campus. This will be the first expansion of the Montana PBS facility in our 40-year history. The funds were raised from private sources and are not affected by the federal cuts. The Building Possibilities funds are restricted for the purpose of constructing the new building and are not available for other uses. Construction on the new building will begin in Spring 2026 and is proceeding as planned.
Federal funding may not restored in the next few years. What is your long-term plan for securing other sources of revenue going forward?
The entire public media system in America is adjusting to the sudden loss of federal funding. This Bridge the Gap campaign will be essential in helping us navigate this period of uncertainty. The conversations about the long-term challenges for local stations and our national public TV organizations are ongoing. It is also unclear whether some federal funding could be restored to local stations in the future. We are actively discussing budgets with our host universities even as we explore private funding opportunities and look for operational savings. This will take some time and we currently have more questions than answers.
What’s that bridge you’re using in the graphic?
That graphic is based on the historic, high-clearance Snowden Bridge on the Missouri River in Eastern Montana. Built by the Montana Eastern Railway in 1913, It was the longest vertical lift bridge in the world at the time it completed construction. A three-horsepower engine took about 30 minutes to raise the 571-ton “lift span” (the section of the bridge that elevates) to its ultimate height of 43 feet.