2022 Baucus Institute Annual Report

2022 REPORT ANNUAL

FROM MAX & MEL

When Mel and I returned from China six years ago we wanted to encourage Montana students to see the value, indeed the joy, of public service. I’ve long believed that the most noble human endeavor is service. Whether it is service to community, church, family, or friends, it doesn’t matter. It’s that reward of service that has driven Mel and me in our careers. We’ve been incredibly lucky. We now want to help, show, and encourage Montana students—tomorrow’s leaders—to find that same reward.

I’ve had the best jobs in the world: serving Montana while chairing the Senate Finance Committee, the most powerful committee in the U.S. Senate, and representing our country in China. It’s not the titles that we cherish; it’s helping people. It’s finding solutions to problems. That was our motivation in setting up the Baucus Institute. It’s not a think tank. We don’t sit around discussing issues. Instead, we get out in the world to make a difference.

We send our students, all expenses paid, to work in some area of service. They go to congressional offices, where they learn how our government operates, to organizations working on climate change, and to China to study environmental law with their Chinese counterparts. (During the pandemic restrictions we began sending students to study in Ireland.) Our students come back on fire. They’ve seen, they’ve served, they’re beginning to lead. They want to pursue the joy of service. That’s what we do. It’s as rewarding for us as it is for them. We hope you join.

Max Baucus & Mel Hanes Max S. Baucus Institute

“Service is the most noble human endeavor.”

-Max Baucus

SEE SERVE LEAD

We’re inspired by the legacy of Max Baucus to break down barriers so that students can see, serve, and lead in Montana and throughout the world. In 2022:

8 Baucus Leaders

interned for U.S. Senate and Committee offices in Washington, DC

10 Climate Scholars

interned across the nation with organizations at the forefront of climate issues

21 law & policy students

traveled to Cork, Ireland to study comparative environmental law & policy alongside Irish students

6 Baucus Leaders MT

worked with Montanabased government and nonprofit organizations

5 Baucus Fellows

worked for the Big Barn Dialogues Conference on US-China relations

Funding is a major barrier for many students when it comes to participating in internships and travel. This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we provided $116,000 in stipends & scholarships to 31 students.

IN THE COMMUNITY

914 community members

attended our Stockman Bank Speakers Series events with Max Baucus, John Kerry, Rahm Emanuel, and Jeff Immelt.

3 events, 2 cities, 1 global audience

Attendees came in-person in Missoula and Bozeman, Montana. Online, people tuned in from around the globe, including China, Canada, Europe, and across the U.S.

200+ students

Thanks to our partners at University of Montana, Montana World Affairs Council, Montana Free Press, and Montana State University, we had dozens of high school and college students in attendance at each event.

A TIMELINE OF OUR PROGRESS

2017

Max Baucus and Mel Hanes return to Montana and establish the Max S. Baucus Institute at the University of Montana’s School of Law.

2018

The first 5 Baucus Leaders go to Washington! The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation generously supports the program with a $1 million endowed gift.

2019

The Institute’s Department of Public Administration & Policy receives national accreditation and launches the Public Service Academy.

OUR FOCUS

Our programs are directly inspired by the legacy and career of Max Baucus.

We are not a think tank; we focus on action. Our students get paid internship and study abroad experiences that help them gain the skills, networks, and confidence they need to be leaders in their own communities and beyond.

public service

US-China relations

climate

Thanks to the offices who hosted our 2022 Leaders and Scholars!

Baucus Leaders DC

Senator Bennet

Senator Daines

Senate Finance Committee

Senator Grassley

Senator Klobuchar

Senator Schumer

Senator Tester

Baucus Climate Scholars

American Enterprise Institute

Brookings Institute

The Climate Initiative

Climate Reality Project

Ernst & Young

The Nature Conservancy

Northwestern Energy

U.S. Forest Service

Wanxiang Corporation

Baucus Leaders MT

City of Missoula

Missoula County

Montana Department of Justice

Montana League of Cities & Towns

Montana Nonprofit Association

UM’s American Indian Governance Institute

2021

The first Baucus Leaders MT and Baucus Climate Scholars begin paid summer internships. The Baucus Leaders DC cohort increases to 8. Ireland study abroad is planned (launches in summer 2022).

2020

Despite a global pandemic, partnerships and fundraising are secured for a new Baucus Climate Scholars program (which launches in summer 2021).

2022

The Institute becomes a 501(c)(3) with Main St. offices in Bozeman in addition to UM. With the goal to be a statewide organization, the Institute opens Climate Scholars and Baucus Leaders programs to students at any university or college in Montana.

BIG SKY BIG PLANS

In 2022 we received $1.15 million from foundations, individuals, and corporations. We thank these generous donors for supporting our mission.

We want all Montana students to have access to our programs, especially those from rural and Indigenous communities. Major barriers for our students include financial resources and access, and your support helps us break down those barriers.

We have big plans: our goal is to secure $15 million, enough funding to permanently endow the Baucus Institute’s operating budget, by the end of 2024. This will ensure that Max’s legacy of public service will live on for the foreseeable future, and thousands of students will benefit.

We invite you to join us in achieving our mission and financial goals. You can learn more, make a direct contribution, or find other ways to get involved by visiting us at www.BaucusInstitute.org

Current Goal

$3 million raised (since 2017)

27 Baucus Scholars annually

2 Study Abroad programs

2 Speakers Series events/year

Limited student support

$15 million raised

75 Baucus Scholars annually

4 Study Abroad programs

4 Speakers Series events/year

Robust support for current and former student success

Thanks to our major foundation and corporate sponsors!