The Montana Institute, Llc

What The Montana Institute, Llc does

The Montana Institute, LLC is a private, Bozeman, Montana-based research and training organization that develops and disseminates the Science of the Positive methodological framework, including its four core sub-frameworks: the Science of the Positive (foundational methodology), Positive Community Norms (community-level application), Science of Positive Experiences (childhood and ACE-counteracting approach), and Transformational Leadership (organizational development). The organization is built on three decades of peer-reviewed research and delivers professional services including in-person and virtual training, technical assistance and consulting structured around the Eight Step Model of Positive Community Norms Communications, survey development and research, and keynote presentations.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model. Direct enterprise engagement targets school districts, state agencies (e.g., Minnesota Department of Human Services), community coalitions, and federal agencies through multi-year, often grant-funded projects. This is supplemented by signature thought-leadership events (the annual Montana Summer Institute in Big Sky and the Montana Winter Institute online event), self-paced online courses delivered via the Thinkific platform, the "Normie" Awards program, and a branded merchandise e-commerce store. Documented outcomes include a multi-year Minnesota program covering 25 school districts with significant reductions in ninth-grade 30-day alcohol use, a Wyoming study of 8,000+ students, and a Florida-based youth training event reaching 500+ students through United Way of Broward County.

The underlying "technology" is the framework itself rather than a software product: a strength-based, norms-science methodology that corrects misperceptions of peer behavior and grows protective factors to reduce harm. Commercial reach currently spans the United States, with documented work in Montana, Minnesota, Wyoming, Florida, and Missouri. No funding rounds, headcount, or revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

The Montana Institute, Llc

Legal name

The Montana Institute LLC

Website

https://montanainstitute.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Montana Institute is a private Bozeman, Montana-based research and training organization that delivers the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms frameworks to school districts, community coalitions, and government agencies through training, consulting, survey research, and signature events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Health Consulting & Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Suicide Prevention, Self-Harm Prevention & Threat Assessment Programs (EDAKAMAI), Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL), Behavioral Health & Substance Use Program Funding (Public Health) (HLAJALAI), Behavioral Health & Substance Use Public Health Programs (BPAIAJAK), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Positive community norms
• Behavioral science training
• Prevention consulting services
• Transformational leadership development
• Youth substance prevention

Headquarters

HQ city

Bozeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Training & Workshops: In-person and virtual training sessions on Positive Community Norms, Science of the Positive Transformational Leadership, Science of Positive Experiences, Core Principles Development, and community conversation facilitation. Ranges from 90-minute introductory sessions to multi-day comprehensive trainings.
2. Technical Assistance & Consulting: In-depth technical assistance structured around the Eight Step Model of Positive Community Norms Communications. Includes short-term consultation for stuck spots and challenges.
3. Survey Development & Research: Full range of survey and research development services including project design, survey development, data analysis, evaluation, and sustainability planning for PCN projects.
4. Keynotes and Presentations: Conference presentations and workshops delivered by the TMI team at national conferences and workshops around the country.
5. Event Registration: Registration fees for Montana Summer Institute and Montana Winter Institute conferences. Montana Winter Institute 2026 priced at $49 for all five sessions.
6. Online Courses: Online educational courses delivered through Thinkific platform covering the organization's frameworks and methodologies.
7. Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, stickers, and water bottles sold through the online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Montana Institute provides evidence-based behavioral science frameworks (Science of the Positive, Positive Community Norms, Science of Positive Experiences, Transformational Leadership) and professional services including training workshops, technical assistance/consulting, survey development and research, and keynote presentations. Its offerings target school districts, community coalitions, federal agencies, and prevention organizations seeking to reduce harm and strengthen protective factors around substance use, mental health, suicide prevention, traffic safety, child maltreatment, and workplace safety.

Product overview

The Montana Institute offers a unified portfolio of evidence-based frameworks and professional services centered on the Science of the Positive. The core product line consists of four interconnected frameworks: the Science of the Positive (foundational methodology), Positive Community Norms (community-level application), The Science of Positive Experiences (childhood development focus), and Transformational Leadership (organizational development). These frameworks are delivered through complementary services including Training & Workshops, Technical Assistance & Consulting, Survey Development & Research, and Keynotes & Presentations. The company also hosts signature events (Montana Summer Institute, Montana Winter Institute, and "Normie" Awards), offers Online Courses via Thinkific, and sells branded merchandise through its retail store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Science of the Positive Foundational behavioral science framework for fostering healthier, safer, and more supportive communities through strength-based approaches that measure and grow positive norms.
• Positive Community Norms Community-level framework that corrects misperceptions about peer norms and reduces harm by growing positive protective factors around substance use, mental health, traffic safety, and related issues.
• Science of Positive Experiences Framework exploring how Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) enhance health for children and adults and counteract the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
• Transformational Leadership Leadership development framework with assessments, personalized leadership profiles, and skill development tools designed to boost management capabilities and transform teams using Science of the Positive principles.
• Training & Workshops Professional development offerings including Positive Community Norms Trainings, Science of the Positive Transformational Leadership workshops, Science of Positive Experiences training, Core Principles Development Workshop, and Let's Talk leadership conversations for prevention leaders and community partners.
• Technical Assistance & Consulting In-depth technical assistance structured around the Eight Step Model of Positive Community Norms Communications, including short-term consultation for stuck spots and multi-year program engagements.
• Survey Development & Research Full range of survey and research development services including project design, survey development, data analysis, evaluation, and sustainability planning for Positive Community Norms projects.
• Keynotes and Presentations Conference and workshop presentations delivered by the Montana Institute team at national events, designed to ignite, inspire, and inform specific audiences on the Science of the Positive.
• Montana Summer Institute Annual in-person premier conference held over three and a half days in Big Sky, Montana, focused on the Science of the Positive, Positive Community Norms, and the Science of Positive Experiences.
• Montana Winter Institute Annual online training event featuring five one-hour daily sessions focused on building positive, protective norms; January 26-30, 2026, priced at $49 for all five sessions.
• "Normie" Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding contributions to Positive Community Norms initiatives and the Science of the Positive.
• Online Courses Self-paced online educational courses delivered through the Thinkific platform, covering the Science of the Positive, Positive Community Norms, and related frameworks.
• Montana Institute Merchandise Store Branded merchandise storefront selling t-shirts ($21-$24), sweatshirts ($26+), tote bags ($17.50-$23.50), stickers ($3), and water bottles ($23) featuring organization slogans and logos.

Quantifiable outcome

• Youth monthly alcohol use reduced through PCN approach in 11 Minnesota school districts over 5 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Minnesota Department of Human Services, Alcohol and Drug Abuse DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership to implement Positive Community Norms framework across 25 Minnesota school districts funded by federal grants. The initiative resulted in significant decreases in youth alcohol use over a decade, demonstrating the framework's effectiveness in reducing youth alcohol consumption.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Channing-Bete Company: Publisher of evidence-based prevention and social-emotional learning curricula for schools and communities, including substance use prevention materials. Comparable to TMI as a school-focused prevention content and training provider.
• National Health Promotion Associates (Botvin LifeSkills Training): Developer of the widely-implemented LifeSkills Training substance use prevention program, delivering evidence-based school-based prevention curricula and training. Comparable to TMI in target audience (K-12 schools), prevention focus, and training-led delivery model.
• Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA): National membership organization providing training, technical assistance, and advocacy for community anti-drug coalitions. Comparable to TMI as a federally-engaged coalition-training organization serving prevention professionals across states.
• Search Institute: Minneapolis-based nonprofit that studies and promotes youth developmental assets through research, surveys, and training — directly comparable to TMI as a strengths-based, research-driven youth development organization with parallel school and community training offerings.
• Prevention Strategies Institute / PRIME for Life: Developer of the PRIME for Life evidence-based substance use prevention curriculum used in schools and justice settings. Comparable to TMI as a curriculum-based, research-driven prevention training organization targeting at-risk populations.

Broad incumbents

• Education Development Center (EDC): Large nonprofit that designs, implements, and evaluates education and health programs globally, including substance use prevention initiatives. Comparable to TMI as a research-driven training/curriculum provider but significantly larger and broader in scope.
• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: National addiction treatment and prevention organization with research, publishing, and school-based prevention curricula. Comparable to TMI in the broader behavioral health / substance use prevention space, though much larger and treatment-oriented.

Emerging players

• Center for Applications of Psychological Type / Kiener Consulting assets-based practitioners: Smaller organizations operating in adjacent strengths-based and whole-person development consulting space. Comparable to TMI's Transformational Leadership framework in methodology and target audience though more niche in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheMontanaInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-montana-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Montana Institute, Llc