The North Missoula Community Development Corporation, founded in 1996, has adopted a new brand and name: Front Step Community Land Trust. The change comes after a robust strategic planning process last year as the organization began expanding the scope of its work and its service area beyond North Missoula.
“Our new name, Front Step CLT, reflects the same deep commitment to community that has guided our work for nearly three decades, but with a renewed vision for growing Missoula,” says Front Step CLT’s Executive Director, Brittany Palmer. “As we continue to expand our service area to serve more Missoulians, we remain committed to building community power, thriving neighborhoods, and affordable homes.”
Given the organization’s new mission to serve residents in all of Missoula, the previous name no longer captured the full scope of its advocacy, community-building, and commitment to affordable housing. The new brand — which includes simpler language and a more welcoming tone — reflects a more inclusive and accessible identity that resonates with the diverse communities Front Step serves, according to their recent press release. The organization hopes this change will enable them to better communicate their mission to a wider audience, inspiring action and collaboration to make Missoula a place where everyone can thrive.
Although the name and logo have changed, the organization’s commitment to fostering community power, developing affordable housing solutions, and advocating for equitable policies that benefit all Missoulians remains the same.
Front Step’s new logo “celebrates the creativity, collaboration, and determination we bring to solving the housing crisis, always centered on building thriving, connected communities for everyone,” Palmer adds.
Front Step CLT has been a member of the Grounded Solutions Network since 2007. It is Montana’s first community land trust, and its portfolio includes more than 80 permanently affordable homes.
Grounded Solutions Network is leading nationwide efforts to scale nonprofit shared equity housing models, such as community land trusts, that will keep homes affordable for generations to come. Our members are critical to this mission. Becoming a member provides you with access to expert support, training, tools and peer connection, and helps advance lasting affordability and equity in housing nationwide. Learn more https://groundedsolutions.org/join-our-network/members/.
