#10 Child Bridge -Gianforte Family Foundation Top Ten Grantees
“Bridging the gap between churches, communities, and government, Child Bridge builds awareness and recruits foster and adoptive families for Montana children.” (Source: Child Bridge | Bigfork, MT | Cause IQ)
Ranking #10 in the top 10 Gianforte Family Foundation grantees from 2005-2020 is Child Bridge, located in Bigfork, MT, originally under the name of Child S.H.A.R.E. Montana Inc. Founded in 2010 by Steve and Mary Bryon, the founders share their story on the Child Bridge website, describing why they chose Montana and calling for Christians to help fight the “dark warfare on the lives of children.”
Our aim is to inspire a movement of fearless, joyful ambassadors of Christ who fight for children who bear the invisible marks of being unseen, unheard and unwanted. It will be a glorious day when we have an army of these families and can say, “God’s people are boldly caring for His children.”
Over the years the nonprofit has grown from under $30,000 annually to $2,871,085 in total revenue in 2020 with offices in Bigfork, Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula. (Source: Child Bridge Inc - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica)
The Gianforte Family Foundation’s first gift to Child Bridge was $20,000 in 2015, jumping to $150,000 in 2016 and growing to $450,000 by 2020. Total grants from the Gianforte Foundation to Child Bridge reached a total of $1,670,000 from 2005-2020. Just Facts MT was unable to determine if the Gianforte Family Foundation continues to give grants to Child Bridge while Greg Gianforte is serving as Governor. (2020 is the most recent public information available from The Foundation’s IRS Form 990.)
Child Bridge is now embedded in the Gianforte Administration.
As Governor of Montana, Greg Gianforte continues to significantly support this organization in his official capacity in a number of ways:
Governor Gianforte donated a portion of his salary to Child Bridge
Governor Gianforte‘s 2023 State of State spotlighted Child Bridge
The Gianforte Administration prominently refers to Child Bridge as a Foster and Adoptive Family referral resource by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Office of Faith and Community Based Services.
Montana Legislature’s Interim Committee explored the Foster Care system, including a presentation by DPPHS and Child Bridge.
Donate Salary
Blog Note: Demonstrating his personal wealth and ability to forgo a paycheck, Greg Gianforte, followed through on campaign promises in 2016 and 2020 when was running for Governor and donated a portion of his salary to Child Bridge in 2022.
Blog Note: Governor Gianforte’s administration invited the public to join his support for a faith-based nonprofit, building a connection with the Gianforte Family Foundation gifts to Child Bridge totaling at least $1.67 million as noted above. The Governor’s press release reads: “For more information on how to support Child Bridge in its mission to make “A Family for Every Child” a reality, Montanans can visit www.childbridgemontana.org.”
Source: Governor Gianforte Contributes Salary to Nonprofit Serving Montana Children in Foster Care
2. State of State
Source: Governor Gianforte: “The American Dream Is Alive and Well Here in Montana”
An excerpt of the Governor’s remarks:
“And I’m thankful for groups working each day to get every child into a permanent, loving home. Groups like Child Bridge. Launched by the late Steve Bryan and his wife Mary, Child Bridge advocates for abused and neglected children, and helps foster children find homes filled with love and support. Because of Steve’s vision, thousands of Montana children have a bright future with a loving family. What started as a local organization in Bigfork, Child Bridge is now involved in nearly two-thirds of all non-kinship placements throughout Montana. This is the power of the public sector working together with the private sector. Child Bridge’s Executive Director Jenna Taylor is here with us tonight. Jenna, on behalf of a grateful state, thank you. And thank you to the entire Child Bridge team. You provide hope to generations of children.”
Governor Gianforte's remarks also included his proposal to raise the adoption tax credit to $5,000 or $7,500 if the child is in the Montana foster care system. He recognized Representative Courtenay Sprunger, Kalispell, MT, who was leading this effort. Establish Adoption Tax Credit, HB225, was successfully passed by the Montana Legislature in April 2023.
Blog Note: The Governor’s State of the State remarks did not reveal Child Bridge’s faith-based mission, relationship with a Montana state agency, DPHHS, or that his Foundation has funded them $1.67 million from 2015-2020. The Child Bridge website provides links to many resources and services for parents. One such service is an informational meeting for prospective parents to learn more about children in foster care, the process, and what it means to be a foster parent. This snapshot from their website explains their Christian-based approach to foster care. Source: Our Services | Child Bridge
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3. Office of Faith and Community Based Services.
Governor Gianforte controls the Executive Branch, which includes the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS), a public agency whose website states the mission: Improving and protecting the health, well-being and self-reliance of all Montanans.
Under Governor Gianforte’s direction, DPHHS established in March 2022 an Office of Faith and Community Based Services. “The Office of Faith and Community Based Services is a conduit between the Department of Public Health and Human Services and faith and community organizations across Montana creating a two-way flow of information, resources and programs to serve the identified health and wellness needs in each community most effectively.”
In addition to Child Bridge, Governor Gianforte’s newly added Office of Faith and Community in DPHHS refers the public to a few additional Christian-based organizations, such as Life Guard Group, and Promise 686, with which the Gianforte Family Foundation has a relationship.
Specific to Child Bridge which received $1.67 million from 2015-2020, a Foster and Adoptive Family Supports web page provides an illustration for the “possible paths when a birth parent is unable to care for their children for a period of time.” directing the public to Child Bridge.
The Office of Faith and Community Services encourages the public to visit a variety of “pages to find out about Montana resources and ways that you and your community can take action.” The DPHHS’s Monthly Faith and Community Bulletin can be found here.
Blog Note: Although The Office of Faith and Community Based Services website states All Families All Faiths, there is a remarkable similarity in language to that of the Gianforte Family Foundation and in particular this focus area: Christian organizations engaged in outreach work, strengthening families, and helping the needy. Source: About Us - Gianforte Family Foundation
4. Legislative Presentations
The 2021 Montana Legislature requested a study of the state's foster care system with House Joint Resolution 44. The Interim Committee heard from constituents and organizations, such as the following two non-profit organizations.
Brochure: Child Bridge
Handout: Promise686
The Gianforte Administration’s Office of Faith and Community in DPHHS refers the public to both of these entities who have also received support from the Gianforte Family Foundation.
Why does this matter?
Just Facts MT does not want to leave the impression that foster care – and for that matter, a myriad of challenges facing children and families – is not real and heartbreaking. Just Facts MT is about documenting information and data that tell a story. Of concern, is when leaders with personal wealth can guide our government to insinuate religion into public policy. Clearly, faith-based organizations are a part of our Montana communities and play an important role. Freedom and privacy are at the core. When in an official capacity, the Governor, a state agency (Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services), and the Montana Legislature adopt funding strategies, policies, and processes that rely upon a Christian foundation, we have crossed a line.
Stay tuned as we continue the Top 10 Gianforte Family Foundation grantees from 2005-2020 countdown with our next blog focus on #9 Chesterton House.
Sources:
Child Bridge Inc - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica 2010-2020
Children and Families Interim Committee, HJR 44: Foster Care System - Montana State Legislature
NCSL Report: Foster Parent Retention
Infographic: Montana Kinship Navigator Program
Brochure: Child Bridge
Handout: Promise686
Foster and Adoptive Family Supports, Office of Faith and Community Based Services, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
News Sources:
Governor Gianforte Contributes Salary to Nonprofit Serving Montana Children in Foster Care
Bridging the Gaps in Foster Care - Flathead Beacon
DPHHS Launches New Office to Engage Faith and Community Organizations
New Faith-Based Nonprofit Offers Support for Foster Families - Flathead Beacon
New statewide human trafficking hotline launches today | ABC Fox Great Falls | montanarightnow.com
The Life Guard Group Facebook post
