Arthur Blank foundation names new Montana leader

Gallatin Valley Land Trust executive moves to Blank Foundation

MONTANA – November 19, 2020 – AMB West Philanthropies has named Peter Brown as senior program leader for AMB West Philanthropies.

Brown will specifically lead the AMB West Conservation Fund in developing policies and priorities, recommending a portfolio of grants with partner organizations, and building community relationships with collaborators that share a vision of conserving and enhancing the unique attributes of the Paradise Valley.
 
“Over the years as both a resident and grant recipient, I have seen firsthand the impact that AMB West Philanthropies and the Blank Family Foundation have had on preserving the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem,”  Brown said. “To become a part of a business and a family that cares deeply about protecting the future of Montana’s working lands, Yellowstone river, wildlife and communities, means becoming part of everything I stand for and am passionate about.”
 
AMB West Philanthropies believes that Montana’s unique ability to connect people to each other and to nature has the power to build stronger, healthier, happier communities, and that we have a role in preserving Montana’s beauty for future generations. Through grant making, convening, advocacy and in-kind services, AMB West Philanthropies has committed more than $7 million to help promote positive change in peoples’ lives and build and enhance the communities in which they live.
 
“Peter’s expertise and genuine passion for preserving this unique landscape will be an invaluable addition to the AMB West Philanthropies team,” said Tawnya Rupe, Sr. Program Director, AMB West Philanthropies. “The health of the land and health of the community are interwoven, and Peter will bring a commitment of fostering diverse community engagement to ensure a thriving community into the future.”  
Brown is currently Stewardship Director at GVLT where he is responsible for stewarding a large portfolio of conservation easements, which includes 115 projects totaling 49,500 acres of the best wildlife habitat, prime agricultural soils, and scenic open space in the headwaters reaches of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. Brown enjoys helping landowners locate natural resource management information and reviews conservation stewardship projects in partnership with GVLT’s private land partners. He has been with GVLT since 2011.
Brown begins his new role as Sr. Program Officer for AMB West Philanthropies on January 18, 2021.