Gov. Gianforte Announces State Trust Land Permanent Fund Reaches $1 Billion

Investment fund supports Montana's K-12 public schools

Governor's Office

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte and The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) today announced the State of Montana reached $1 billion in permanent investment of state trust land revenues, reinforcing the state's commitment to funding quality schools.

"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," Gov. Gianforte said. "Reaching this level of interest-earning permanent investment ensures greater predictability and certainty for Montana's public schools."

The state has invested over $1 billion dollars of permanent revenue earned on state trust lands into the Trust Fund Investment Pool (TFIP). Permanent revenue consists of royalties on oil and gas leases, easements, and most timber sales. Permanent revenue is invested into the TFIP monthly and the interest earnings from that are distributed to the trust beneficiaries quarterly. Protected by the Montana Constitution, these funds are legally inviolate and cannot be spent or diverted, forming a lasting financial base for Montana's public schools and state institutions.

"State trust lands are working lands that directly support Montana by funding schools, universities, and other public institutions across the state," said DNRC Director Amanda Kaster. "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."

DNRC manages 5.2 million acres of state trust land and generates millions of dollars annually for K-12 public education, including school facilities and classroom technology through sustainable forestry, agriculture, grazing, commercial and energy leasing. The average interest revenue generated from the interest earnings is $30 million per fiscal year.

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