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Privacy policy

Last updated October 27, 2026

The State of Montana is published by Last Best Future, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (“Last Best Future,” “we,” “us”). This policy explains what information this site collects and how we use it.

Survey responses

The survey was run independently by Montana State University’s Social Data Collection and Analysis Services. MSU keeps names and addresses separate from answers, and gives us only anonymous responses. We report them in aggregate, never for a single person, and never link them to the mailing list or to anyone’s identity. Some written answers are quoted on this site, lightly edited for spelling and punctuation and without anything that could identify the person who wrote them.

The mailing list

If you join the mailing list, we collect your email address and, if you give it, your name. We use them to send you news from Last Best Future, such as next year’s State of Montana results and Montana Festival. Your details are kept in Last Best Future’s contact records, which our other programs share, so you are one contact rather than several.

Site analytics

We use Vercel Analytics, which counts page views without cookies and without tracking you across other sites. This site does not use advertising cookies.

When we share it

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only:

  • With service providers who run the site and our email for us, such as Vercel (hosting) and Neon (database), who may use it only to provide those services.
  • When required by law.

Your choices

You can unsubscribe from our emails at any time, or ask us to see, correct or delete your information, by emailing padden@lastbestfuture.org.

Security

We use industry-standard safeguards, including encryption in transit and access controls. No system is perfectly secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Children

This site is for adults. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

Changes

If we change this policy, we will update the date above.

Contact

Questions about privacy: padden@lastbestfuture.org.