Forward Montana is building big power in big sky country

Step up, speak up, and take action

Have you ever felt powerless around politics? Like your voice doesn’t matter, or your values aren’t reflected in the system? When it comes to policies that impact the future, young people are the most impacted — and too often, the least involved. Politicians and corporations make decisions that affect us — while leaving us out of the conversation. An unfriendly political climate, housing and climate crises, and continual attacks on our democracy all pose big risks to our livelihoods, opportunities, and wellbeing.

It’s time for our generation to step up, speak up, and take action. But you don’t have to have all the answers to make a real difference, and you don’t have to do it alone. Forward Montana is for you.

At Forward Montana, we have BIG dreams for our state. That’s why we’re breaking down barriers to youth participation and creating more opportunities for youth leadership. Our democracy needs us — our ideas, creativity, and impact. Montana needs us to lean in with the passion and purpose unique to our generation. To share our big dreams, and little ones. To step into the arena and make democracy a place where young people can make a stand for what we believe.

Our generation has the most at stake. So we must be a key part of the process. When more young people get involved — whether we’re voting, volunteering, or running for office — Montana’s politics start to look more like us. Policies start reflecting our lives and our values. Creative. Compassionate. Sustainable. Equitable.

Forward Montana is ready to raise some hell and fight for a Montana where everyone can thrive.


What we do

We’re making moves in Montana — from helping youth register to vote, to reppin’ candidates and spreading the word about issues.

Forward Montana’s mission is building political power with and for young Montanans. That means we’re creating a culture of civic engagement through:

Issue Advocacy

What matters most to you? Get informed and join the conversation.

Learn more

Voter Hub

Register, Voter Guide, cast your ballot — your voice, your values, your vote.

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FM Foundation

Our c3 partner organization (more education, less spicy language)

Learn more


The Forward Montana story

homegrown & grassroots

In 2004, a group of passionate students at the University of Montana saw that more young people needed to be engaged in the civic process, but too many barriers stood in their way. Forward Montana was founded to help educate young people, organize collective action, and ensure that the youth generation wasn’t left out of the political conversation. Their first fights were at the university and the local level, and focused on recycling, renewable energy, sexual assault, and tenant rights.

Today, Forward Montana has grown to become the largest youth civic engagement organization in Montana, with year-round staff in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and the Flathead Valley.

Meet the team.