Raising Funds and Awareness for Community-based Organizations

The Last Best Store opened in Southgate Mall (Missoula, MT) in 2021 guided by the vision of promoting local arts and manufacturing, and thereby enriching our vibrant community. We are proud to partner with over 170 Montana artists and small businesses, providing a platform for them to sell their unique and often handmade products, which showcase Montana craftsmanship and themes. In addition to artist-specific collections, we create specialty collections, such as University of Montana products and apparel/ accessories for local nonprofits and other community-based organizations. 

Our merchandise-based fundraising program is designed to raise awareness and funds for local non-profits and other organizations whose missions, visions, and activities play vital roles in our community. We work with these organizations to produce merchandise (and sometimes logos or other designs) that is available to the public through dedicated collections on our website. In addition to managing the production, marketing, and sales of this merchandise, we donate a portion of all sales to the organization in order to directly support their work and raise awareness about their missions/ visions. By purchasing from these collections, you are not just acquiring a stylish and meaningful item–you are actively supporting these vital programs and the broader community they serve. 

Our established partners include Wilderness Watch, Missoula Pride, and King Bee Creations. These collaborations are not just about merchandise; they support and amplify the impactful work these organizations do. Wilderness Watch is a Missoula-based nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of lands and rivers included in the National Wilderness Preservation System.They envision a nation in which there are ample places of wildness and solitude, undisturbed by human beings; a diverse majority of people believe in, and work to protect, the sanctity of wilderness; and our institutions and laws reflect these priorities and values. Learn more about Wilderness Watch’s vision and activities here.

Our continuing partnership with Missoula Pride is a genuine labor of love. In addition to making official merchandise (including regular and limited edition products)--sold in our retail space and at the annual event–we also maintain the exclusive Missoula PRIDE collection in our online store year-round. A portion of all sales supports Missoula PRIDE and the Western Montana Community Center’s shared vision to create affirming spaces for people of all sexual orientations and gender identity expressions. Finally, King Bee Creations is the mind-child of our very own, Katie King. Outside her pivotal role in the store, Katie's flair for the creative is showcased in 'Tickle My Fancy', an art and music event she masterminds, where artists transform models into living canvases; her most recent event (Horseback Harmony–an equine and human painting experience–on August 17, 2024) even included horse models! Katie’s vibrant energy and artistic acumen are vital in enriching both our store's offerings and the broader Missoula arts community. Learn more about Missoula Pride here and King Bee Creations/ Tickle My Fancy here

We are also building partnerships with the UM Alumni Association, The W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, UM Rodeo, and other University of Montana-related organizations. We are excited to welcome these new UM divisions/ affiliates to our program, while we strengthen and deepen our relationships with our existing nonprofit partners. (Pssst. I also heard a rumor that Girls on Shred–a Missoula-based nonprofit whose mission is to empower youth and marginalized genders and build community through the art of boarding and other action-sports–might be interested in working with us to create a line of merchandise! But you didn’t hear it from me…)

Check out our established partnerships and watch for upcoming collections under the 'Collaborations' drop—down menu on our website. 

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Amplifying our Reach and our Partners’ Voices through Affiliate Marketing

The Last Best Store Affiliate Marketing Program is a performance-based marketing strategy where affiliate partners earn a commission for any sales on our website resulting from the affiliate's marketing efforts (e.g., content creation, social media, or print advertising). With little to no upfront investment, affiliates can easily connect their networks with specific products or collections, and  earn a commission on any sales originating from their unique link/ QR code. Local artists can increase the commission they earn on the products they sell on our website, and nonprofit partners can increase the percentage of merchandise sales donated to their organization.

This program allows us to leverage a broader network for promotion and raising awareness of our nonprofit collaborations while providing affiliates with a potential revenue stream generated from little to no upfront investment. Our fundraising partners directly benefit from the additional commission generated by their own affiliate link (on top of the percentage they receive for each sale of their products), while other affiliates who support their causes can amplify their mission/ vision/ voice to a much broader audience through their own marketing efforts. For example, the Missoula PRIDE affiliate link generated $856 in revenue over the course of one month this year and two new affiliate social media videos featuring the Missoula Pride collection received over 33,000 views on TikTok in a single week! You can find the TikTok videos here and here.

If you are interested in joining our Affiliate Marketing Program, we encourage you to look through our website to see if there is a nonprofit collaboration or product collection that speaks to you; we are also happy to make recommendations based on your audience. Leave a comment below (or contact us) to receive more information about the program! 

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Care, Wear, and Share: Upcoming Partner Events 

September 5, 2024 (5-8 pm): “60” Pale Ale Release Party

Imagine Nation Brewing

1151 W Broadway St

Missoula, MT

 In 2024, the United States celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, which established a national commitment to leave some wild areas alone, “where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled” by humans. Today, the National Wilderness Preservation System spans nearly 112 million acres, is home to countless species of native wildlife and plants, and is essential to preserving the biodiversity of North America. You can support Wilderness Watch by purchasing hoodies, shirts, or hats at this celebration, or buy a 12oz glass of beer or hard seltzer and Imagine Nation Brewing will donate $1 to help Wilderness Watch achieve their vision.

 September 7, 2024 (5:30-11:30 pm): 19th Annual Rainbow Ball

Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown

200 S. Pattee St.

Missoula, MT

LGBTQ+ folx and allies are invited to join Missoula Pride and The Center at the Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center’s annual fundraiser, the 19th Annual Rainbow Ball. Come dressed as your favorite musical theater character, or just come as you are, and enjoy cabaret performances by celebrated Montana actors, a live band and DJ, a silent auction and raffle, the Legacy Award ceremony, and more!

Get tickets and more information here

You can find many more weekly, monthly, and annual events hosted by The Center (e.g., Story Hour, Two Spirit Beading Group, and Queer Creatives Market) on their website (check out their calendar here).

September 13-15, 2024: Wilderness Act 60th Anniversary Celebration

Wilderness Gateway Campground

Milepost 122 on Highway 12

East of Kamiah, Idaho

If a single-evening celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act (Sept. 5th at Imagine Nation Brewery) is just not enough for you, consider joining Wilderness Watch at their three-day campout at Wilderness Gateway Campground, east of Kamiah, Idaho. This three-day event is open to the public, and will feature inspirational speakers, group discussions, a potluck dinner, music, hats, hoodies and shirts for sale, and “60” pale ale–all on the scenic Lochsa River.

Get more information here (or see contact information below) and/ or contact Brett Haverstick (Membership and Development Director, Wilderness Watch) with any questions or if you need a campsite: bretth@wildernesswatch.org

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 Purchase with Purpose

Silky Soft Unisex Bamboo Blend Tee - Wilderness Watch	Missoula Pride collection	Check out our fundraising partners here!

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Monthly Retail Roundup

August kept us busy! In addition to helping two of our intrepid leaders (Brooke and Alex Blackler) escape for their first vacation in many years, we have been delighted to welcome an impressive array of new Montana artisans to our collective. Stop by our store in Southgate Mall and take in the splendor of new products by Bestie Bottle, Awesome Herbs, Big Sky Gemstone Creations, Cobblestone Designs of Montana, Dragonfly Studios, Handbar LLC, Moonflower Studio and Ranger Collective. As always, these amazing products will be added to our website as soon as possible. Stay tuned for more great Montana-made creations!