Gianforte’s Charitable Salary Donations Overshadow Governance
Gianforte, a multimillionaire, said last year he would donate his entire governor's salary — roughly $120,000 annually — to various philanthropies in the state. Source: Gianforte donates salary to facility treating drug addiction | Daily Inter Lake, 2021
Source: Governor Gianforte Contributes Salary to Crisis Pregnancy Center, 2023
Just Facts MT will focus this blog on Gov. Gianforte’s salary donations, followed by another blog about his 12 days of Giving.
CAMPAIGN PLEDGE
When running for office in 2016 (unsuccessfully) and in 2020, candidate Greg Gianforte informed the public that, if elected, he would donate his salary to philanthropy. For the past three years, now as governor, Gianforte selected four organizations each year to receive money, a quarter of his salary, which is a tax-deductible donation for him. Gianforte’s salary donations were wrapped into a 12-day giving strategy in December, with a nod to the Christmas season and his Christian faith. (The 12 Days of Christmas Lyrics: Meaning and History)
“Each holiday season, Montana communities are bound together by an important tradition: giving,” Gov. Gianforte said. “In that spirit, today we’re launching the 12 Days of Giving campaign to shine a light on organizations doing heroic work to serve Montanans in need.” Source: Gov. Gianforte Launches 12 Days of Giving at Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting 2021
Why does this matter? Gov. Greg Gianforte is in a position to create and fund policies that benefit citizens across the state of Montana. He touts the need to support children and families. In contrast, the media paints a different picture, with the Governor refusing to accept federal resources for children. Sources: State declines millions in federal food assistance for children as food banks see soaring need | Daily Inter Lake and Feds urge governor to take action as Montana kids lose Medicaid coverage.
As a Gianforte Family Foundation Trustee, Greg Gianforte gave out nearly $11 million in 2020, primarily to Montana-based organizations, while concurrently running for office. Over the past three years as Governor, he served as a trustee delivering grants to organizations scattered across Montana, totaling about $10-$11 million each year.
When Governor Gianforte serves as a trustee for his family foundation’s grants and donates his salary to a small group of organizations that share his conservative views, it blurs the line between charity and governance. It’s also striking how consistently Gov. Gianforte utilizes the power of his elected position with the 12-day Giving Campaign media releases and events to encourage Montanans to give, donate, or support organizations that he personally supports at the expense of focusing solutions for a variety of policy issues that need attention. Source: Montana Governor Office News Releases, Gianforte Fam Charitable Tr - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica and Annual Reports - Gianforte Family Foundation
Let’s see where Gov. Gianforte donated his salary
Just Facts MT supports the power of giving and the importance of donating our time, talents, and resources to nonprofits in Montana. Charity is personal and private, with decisions made based on our budgets and our values. There are some fundamental questions about Gov. Gianforte’s charity and public policy.
What is the role of government and what can a governor do to address these broad sweeping challenges as presented by Gov. Gianforte’s 12 days of giving campaign?
As governor, why does Greg Gianforte focus his attention and leadership on a small group of organizations with his Giving campaign, donation of his personal paycheck, or promoting organizations that may align with the Gianforte Family Foundation’s Christian, conservative values?
Should a Governor use tax dollars to solicit the public to donate to any particular organization, especially those that are rooted in Christianity, to solve public problems?
Has the pattern of Governor Gianforte’s giving changed over the three years in office?
Lastly, how do we hold our government leaders accountable when they cross a blurred line of policy, politics, and personal wealth?
Sources:
Gianforte Fam Charitable Tr - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica,
Annual Reports - Gianforte Family Foundation
Gianforte uses line-item veto power on long-term project bill