Montana Celebrates Over $1 Billion For K-12 Funding

Montana has reached a major financial milestone in support of public education, surpassing $1 billion in permanent investment of state trust land revenues, Gov. Greg Gianforte and state officials announced.

The investment, managed through the Trust Fund Investment Pool, is designed to provide long-term, stable funding for K-12 schools and other public institutions across the state.

“Providing reliable funding for our K-12 schools is one of our top priorities, and DNRC continues to deliver results for the people of Montana,” Gianforte said. “Reaching this level of interest-earning permanent investment ensures greater predictability and certainty for Montana’s public schools.”

The permanent revenue comes primarily from royalties on oil and gas leases, easements and timber sales generated from state trust lands. These funds are deposited into the investment pool on a monthly basis, with interest earnings distributed quarterly to designated beneficiaries, including public schools.

Under the Montana Constitution, the principal funds are protected and cannot be spent or redirected, ensuring a lasting financial foundation for education and other state-supported institutions.

“State trust lands are working lands that directly support Montana by funding schools, universities, and other public institutions across the state,” said Amanda Kaster, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. “The dedicated employees who manage our state trust lands at the direction of the Land Board have made it possible to achieve this major milestone.”

The DNRC oversees approximately 5.2 million acres of state trust land, using a mix of forestry, agriculture, grazing and energy development to generate revenue. Officials say the trust fund’s interest earnings average about $30 million annually, supporting school facilities, classroom technology and other education needs.

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State leaders say the milestone reflects a long-term strategy of balancing natural resource development with sustainable land management to benefit future generations.