What does it mean to build power?

Building power is about creating the conditions where families, organizations, and communities can all contribute to shaping the world around them.

Every family in Western Montana deserves the opportunity to thrive. Our mission is to work side-by-side with our neighbors to improve the health of our communities. Health is so much more than personal lifestyle choices or doctor visits. It includes having a voice in the systemic factors that shape our health and impact our communities – like affordable housing, quality childcare, access to nutritious food, and social connection.

That’s why building power is at the heart of our work.

To us, building power is the ability of community members – especially parents, caregivers, and young people most impacted by health disparities – to shape the systems and policies that affect their health and lives. We believe that when people are involved in creating solutions that impact their lives, those solutions are more effective, equitable, and lasting.

The Power Flower

To make sense of the many ways people build power, we use the Power-Building Ecosystem Framework, which includes a visual tool called the “Power Flower.” Each petal of the flower represents a different strategy people use to grow their influence and create change. 

We support a wide range of strategies across this ecosystem, like helping parents organize around the issues they care about, supporting nonprofits that connect families with decision-makers, and changing the way we talk about the deeper issues that affect people’s health and opportunities. Real change takes all kinds of efforts working together. 

Our Vision for Building Power

We want to create a community where:

• Families are engaged. Parents, caregivers, and youth have the time, knowledge and resources to change the policies and systems that impact the health of their families and communities.
• Organizations are strong. Nonprofits are equipped to effectively engage youth and families in advocacy to improve health outcomes.
• The ecosystem is supportive. The culture and structure of the policymaking landscape prioritizes the health of families and is receptive to their voices, involvement, and input.

What does this look like in practice?

Families are Engaged 

Building power starts with people. That means making space to organize, build relationships, and take action. We support community organizing and leadership development that equips people with the tools, training, and confidence to speak up and lead. 

Power comes from connection – feeling a sense of belonging and knowing that your voice matters, so we invest in strategies that help people feel included and empowered to shape the systems around them. 

Organizations are Strong 

Nonprofits play an essential role in building power. They’re often the bridge between communities and systems by helping families engage with local school boards, organizing campaigns for better food access or safer housing, and advocating for change at every level.  

That’s why we support organizations doing advocacy and policy work, encouraging civic participation, building nonprofit organizing capacity through training and technical support, and forming strong coalitions with others who share their goals. These efforts help nonprofits deliver services and work alongside families to drive long-term, systemic change. 

The Ecosystem is Supportive 

We also support efforts that shape the broader ecosystem – changing the stories we tell, the data we collect and how it is collected, and the conversation about health, opportunity, and community.  

This work includes creative storytelling, narrative change campaigns, strategic communications, legal advocacy, research and evaluation, and community convenings that center the voices of those with lived experience. Together, these approaches help shift both culture and policy to be more inclusive, more responsive, and more supportive of the health of families. 

Building Power Is Building Community 

Building power is about creating the conditions where families, organizations, and communities can all contribute to shaping the world around them. 

We’re proud to work alongside partners building power every day through small conversations, big campaigns, creative collaborations, and bold ideas. When communities are connected and families are engaged, the result isn’t just policy change. It’s healthier lives, stronger communities, and a Montana where everyone can thrive. 

Find more stories about our partners here and learn about our funding areas here.