Local businesses deserve honor for supporting nonprofits

During this season of giving, it is essential to recognize and appreciate the incredible role that local businesses play in supporting area nonprofits. Local businesses are the heartbeat of our towns, whether they are small or "Montana-large."  

According to a 2024 survey by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, 90 percent of small business owners have financially supported community or civil groups, charities, youth sport programs, schools, religious organizations, or similar activities in the last 12 months. These contributions come in many forms, including direct financial donations, auction items, and sponsorships. Additionally, local businesses offer in-kind support, including goods, services, and expertise. They also dedicate countless hours to volunteer work.  

Given that local businesses often operate on thin profit margins, their generosity is particularly impressive and demonstrates their commitment to community. This past year has been challenging for many companies, yet their giving has not wavered. In fact, it appears to have increased. During the past few months, when family budgets were stretched thin, local businesses stepped up, donating time, money, and food to ensure that families, seniors, and children had access to nutritious meals.  

 The University of Montana College of Business emphasizes the value of local and small businesses to our students. These businesses are valuable community partners that provide exceptional customer service. They play an essential role in our economy and account for the vast majority of Montana’s businesses, providing more than 250,000 jobs, according to the US Small Business Administration. 

We collaborate with many local companies to provide our students with real-world experiences that showcase our lessons in action. For instance, we work with a local trucking firm, LineHaul, in our logistics courses so that students can work with and learn from relevant data and experiences. D.A. Davidson sponsors our $50,000 investment course, where students get the opportunity to invest real money, and D.A. Davidson rewards the student teams by reinvesting a portion of the profits back into the program.  

Convincing our students of the value of Montana’s local businesses is not difficult, as two-thirds of them are Montanans. Showcasing the successes and impact of local businesses to our students is one of the reasons we see so many entrepreneurs at UM. Our John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge grows each year as students develop their business ideas to make a positive impact on the communities they love. And it’s worth noting that we regularly have exceptional entries from students from the Flathead Valley.  

Seeing the generosity of local businesses gives me great hope for the future of our state. I know that both the students and faculty at the College of Business are proud to support local businesses in Missoula and across Montana during this holiday season and throughout the entire year. 

Suzanne Tilleman is the Sprunk & Burnham Endowed Dean at the University of Montana.