Build your conservation brand with Vital Ground!
From stunning landscapes to iconic species like the grizzly bear, the Northern Rockies and Inland Northwest are rich in scenic beauty and natural resources. It’s no secret that the region’s economy is closely tied to its open spaces and wildlife — outdoor recreation, tourism and the uncountable benefits of living in the wildest corner of the lower 48 keep people intertwined with this irreplaceable landscape.
Vital Ground’s Business Partners in Conservation program provides numerous ways for businesses of all sizes and types to support conservation in the Northern Rockies and Inland Northwest. Your investment will protect the landscapes most important to grizzly bears, other wildlife and people alike, all while promoting your products, services and brand to our conservation-minded audience of more than 80,000 supporters. Learn more about our partners and partnership opportunities below, and consider an investment in conservation today — together we can make a lasting impact!
Download the Business Partners in Conservation Brochure
Featured Business Partners
Kodiak Cakes is a family-owned business based in Park City, Utah. The company produces the Kodiak Cakes brand of whole grain instant breakfast and dessert mixes as well as gourmet berry syrups and microwave muffins. Kodiak Cakes mixes can be found in Target stores and other grocery outlets nationwide as well as direct to the public via the Kodiak Cakes online store. “Kodiak Cakes supports Vital Ground because we believe in healthy ecosystems,” says Allison Brown, Kodiak Cakes’ public relations manager. “It’s a great bridge between our customers and Vital Ground’s nationwide conservation-minded audience.”
Montana Coffee Traders: In 2018, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Vital Ground’s longest-running business partnership. Since 1993, Montana Coffee Traders has teamed up with Vital Ground to help conserve vital wildlife habitat for the grizzly bear and other species. Montana Coffee Traders donates a portion of the sale of each pound of its Grizzly Blend Dark Roast directly for the purpose of safeguarding crucial wildlife habitat. “Montana Coffee Traders donates a portion of proceeds from every pound of Grizzly Blend coffee to Vital Ground to capture the iconic imagery and goodwill that flows from protecting and connecting habitat for the Great Bear,” says Heather Vrentas, MCT’s general manager. “It’s a unique opportunity to create an amazing positive impact on the environment and our brand.”
Young Living Essential Oils: Young Living, Vital Ground’s newest business partner in conservation, produces pure essential oils through a proprietary, multistep quality control process called Seed to Seal®. Young Living cultivates lavender, peppermint, melissa, clary sage, and many other botanicals on farms in Utah, Idaho, France, Ecuador, and throughout the world. Offering the exclusive Animal Scents™ line of products, the company works to foster a global community of connection and discovery for both humans and animals, while inspiring wellness, purpose, and abundance. Vital Ground benefits from all sales of Young Living’s animal care products.
UDAP manufactures the world’s hottest self-defense pepper spray. They have several varieties of pepper spray for personal protection. Home of the Jogger Fogger, Mugger Fogger and Clip-On Commander, UDAP is well known for our quality pepper spray products.
The Grizzly Adams Company manages the iconic Grizzly Adams® IP in film, television, books and marketing products. Celebrated as “California’s greatest mountain man,” Adams’ indomitable spirit helped settle the glorious landscape of the American West, making the wilderness his home and his beloved grizzly bears his companions. His namesake brand honors his legacy and his adventurous way of life that so many around the world recognize. The Grizzly Adams Company believes that “along with a great character comes great responsibility,” which is why it has chosen to serve as a business partner with The Vital Ground Foundation. The newly released children’s book “Grizzly Adams and the Bridge to the Meadow ” can be purchased at Bear Mart.
Newest Business Partners
Hey Bear is dedicated to raising awareness of bears through educational resources and retail products that inspire stewardship of bears and their habitat. Hey Bear has pledged 1% of sales to education and stewardship initiatives that focus on protecting bears and their native habitat. We are also committed to raising awareness for bear safety and educating our communities on responsible coexistence with bears.
Grizzly Totes™ exists because the owners desired to develop a sustainable eco-friendly solution to the traditional cardboard moving box. As our world’s precious resources become more and more scarce, we felt the need to step up and develop a business model that is foundationaly sound and globally aware. We realized that the product was only part of the process and It was incomplete. A great product without a complimentary and well thought out delivery service would only provide a partial solution. Grizzly Totes™ patented “Get ‘em, Pack ‘em and Stack ‘em, Give ‘em Back” process was born out of this approach.
Other Valued Partners
Sawtooth Brewing
The new Grizzly Berry Hard Seltzer is a collaboration between Sawtooth Brewery and Vital Ground, with 5 percent of all proceeds benefitting habitat conservation. Brewed by Sawtooth’s Creekside Hard Seltzer, the refreshing beverage is not your average hard seltzer, made with raspberry, blackberry and strawberry fruit puree with no added sugar or flavors. It is now available for distribution in cans across grizzly country and immediate purchase online or at Sawtooth’s headquarters in Hailey, Idaho.
Scat Belt
Scat Belts are perfect for any outdoor adventure – trail runners particularly love the slim fit and no-bounce design. Try this lightweight bear spray holster if you mountain bike, hike, fly fish or just want to get outdoors and feel protected. Scat Belt will give you the peace of mind necessary so you can just enjoy being outdoors! Free shipping for U.S. addresses only. Use “vitalfree” discount code at checkout.
Grizzly Broadband
Solutions to Internet or technology problems can be hard to find in rural areas. Grizzly Broadband offers a one-stop-shop for all of your technology needs in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley and beyond.
Black Bear River
Black Bear River offers premium, super-soft tees and hoodies featuring hand-crafted designs inspired by a love for the outdoors. Whether you’re on a family vacation at your favorite lake, hiking the Rocky Mountains or just chilling with friends, our adventure-inspired apparel will quickly become your new favs.
Dollar Rent A Car
Dollar Rent A Car is an American car rental agency, headquartered in Florida, with offices in many countries around the world. Dollar is owned by The Hertz Corporation. Dollar typically caters to budget-conscious leisure travelers.
Bear Aware LLC
Bear Aware LLC rents bear spray to visitors of Yellowstone National Park on a daily or weekly basis at affordable prices. Bear Aware is committed to better equipping and educating park visitors so they can safely enjoy the majesty of Yellowstone National Park.
First Interstate Bank
First Interstate Bank is a multi-state, $7.3 billion banking organization headquartered in Billings, Montana. First Interstate has evolved since 1968 from a single bank in Sheridan, Wyo., to operating 72 branches and over 100 ATMs in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. The bank supports Vital Ground in various ways.
Google Inc.
Google Ad Grants is the nonprofit edition of AdWords, Google’s online advertising tool. Google Ad Grants empowers nonprofit organizations, through $10,000 per month in in-kind AdWords™ advertising, to promote their missions and initiatives on Google.com.
Knight Inlet Lodge
Knight Inlet Lodge is Canada’s premier bear and wildlife viewing lodge, tucked deep in the towering Coast Mountains of British Columbia. It was voted “5th most exotic destination in the world” by American Travel Journalist/A&E Channel. Mention that you learned about this once in a lifetime grizzly and wildlife viewing ecotour through Vital Ground, and we will receive a donation from Knight Inlet!
Lamar Advertising
Lamar Advertising is the nation’s leading out-of-home advertising company – specializing in out-of-home advertising and providing customer solutions in the form of Billboards, Digital, Transit and Highway Logo signs. Founded in 1902, Lamar has a broad corporate reach with over 200 locations across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Lamar helps Vital Ground spread its message throughout Montana and Wyoming.
Ten Spoon Vineyard+Winery
Ten Spoon Vineyard + Winery produces fine organic wines with no added sulfites in Missoula, Montana’s Rattlesnake Valley. For each bottle of Prairie Thunder sold, Vital Ground receives $1. Prairie Thunder is a special blend of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel grapes, and offers the silky, rich flavors of dark cherry, coffee and chocolate on a berry field, with a hint of strawberry splashing throughout. To learn if Ten Spoon wines are available in your area, call 406-549-8703 or email.
Wasatch Rocky Mountain Wildlife
Wasatch Rocky Mountain Wildlife owners Doug and Lynne Seus are the founders of Vital Ground. The Seuses are well known as the film industry’s foremost animal trainers and coaches. They continue to donate a portion of their profits to Vital Ground.
Partnership Types
Product Royalty Agreements
Corporate Grants
Business Sponsorship
Employee Matching Gift Programs
Levels of Partnership
Business Supporters - $500
- Business listing in monthly e-Newsletter and also Annual Report, with a digital circulation of more than 9,000 households throughout the U.S. and abroad
- Your company name listed on Vital
Ground’s website (120,000 visitors/year)
Business Members - $1,000
- Business listing in monthly e-Newsletter and also Annual Report, with a digital circulation of more than 9,000 households throughout the U.S. and abroad
- Your company name listed on Vital Ground’s website (120,000 visitors/year)
- Annual spotlight in Vital Ground e-Newsletter
- Invitations to Vital Ground events and walks
- Presentations available for your employees
Business Partners - $5,000
- Business listing in monthly e-Newsletter and also Annual Report, with a digital circulation of more than 9,000 households throughout the U.S. and abroad
- Your company name listed on Vital Ground’s website (120,000 visitors/year)
- Annual spotlight in Vital Ground e-Newsletter
- Invitations to Vital Ground events and walks
- Presentations available for your employees
- Additional recognition at signature events
- News articles or advertisements in print and electronic newsletters, with a circulation over 6,000 households
Business Council - $10,000+
- Business listing in annual report, with a circulation of over nearly 4,500 households throughout the U.S. and abroad
- Your company name listed and link on Vital Ground’s website (80,000 unique visitors/year)
- Annual spotlight in Vital Ground e-Newsletter
- Your company name and link in monthly e-newsletters delivered to 8,500 bear enthusiasts
- Invitations to Vital Ground events and walks
- Presentations available for your employees
- Additional recognition at signature events
- News articles or advertisements in print and electronic newsletters, with a circulation over 6,000 households
- Co-branding on highway billboards, if applicable
- Picnic and walk
Non-Cash Partnerships
In-kind Supporting Businesses contribute goods and services of value and receive recognition on Vital Ground’s website.
Supporting Artists contribute artwork or photography and receive recognition on Vital Ground’s website.
Check out a recent Kodiak Cakes ad featuring Vital Ground ambassador Bart the Bear II: