As part of our exciting transition to nonprofit status, we know you may be wondering how your donations will be used to support the Eating Disorder Center of Montana (EDCMT). We deeply appreciate the generosity of our community, and we want to be transparent about how your contributions will help further our mission and improve the lives of individuals struggling with eating disorders.
Ensuring Every Dollar Makes an Impact
At EDCMT, all donations, whether from individuals, families, or organizations, will be used to maintain and grow our value-based treatment programs and services. We are committed to being transparent with you about how your support will make a direct impact.
How Donations Will Be Used
Initially, donations will be placed into a general fund to support our programs and facilities. This allows us to be flexible in meeting immediate needs as they arise. We will also be applying for grants to fund specific programs and seeking corporate sponsorships to help fund events that further our mission.
Here are the three main areas where we’ll use your generous donations:
1. Ensuring Affordable Access to Care
At EDCMT, providing affordable access to care is one of our top priorities. Many individuals who need treatment for eating disorders face significant financial barriers, and we want to ensure that cost doesn’t prevent anyone from receiving the care they need.
Here’s how donations will help:
- Covering high deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses: Many of our patients struggle to afford the out-of-pocket costs of treatment, such as high insurance deductibles, co-pays, and other medical expenses. Donations will go directly toward alleviating these financial burdens, so patients can focus on their recovery instead of worrying about how to pay for treatment.
- Low-cost housing for day treatment patients: For patients in our day treatment program in Bozeman, we offer subsidized housing as part of our comprehensive care. Donations will help us continue providing affordable housing options to patients who might otherwise be unable to participate in this crucial treatment.
As our nonprofit evolves, we hope to expand these programs and explore additional ways to increase access to care for individuals across Montana.
2. Educating Our Community on Eating Disorders
For many years, we’ve been passionate about educating the community to reduce stigma around eating disorders and mental health. We’ve been able to provide educational programs that reach medical professionals, schools, universities, and families. We are committed to continuing this work and expanding our efforts across the state.
With your support, we plan to:
- Provide more presentations and community programs: Our outreach efforts, such as presenting to medical offices, schools, and universities, are critical to increasing awareness of eating disorders. Donations will help fund these initiatives, reaching more people and reducing the stigma that often surrounds these conditions.
- Expand our Caregiver Program: In 2023, we launched our Caregiver Program, a free educational initiative designed to help families and loved ones support those in treatment. With additional funding, we hope to continue and expand this program, increasing its availability and impact throughout Montana.
By educating the community, we aim to increase early diagnoses, reduce weight stigma, and create a more supportive environment for those who are struggling.
3. Recruiting and Developing Exceptional Eating Disorder Professionals
Eating disorders are complex, and treating them requires highly skilled professionals. Unfortunately, many therapists, dietitians, and other mental health professionals don’t receive specialized training on eating disorders before they graduate. That’s where EDCMT comes in.
Donations will help us:
- Fund professional training programs: We are dedicated to providing our team members with ongoing training and supervision to help them build their expertise in treating eating disorders and co-occurring conditions. Donations will allow us to expand these training opportunities for our staff, ensuring they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.
- Develop Montana’s eating disorder workforce: By investing in the education of our team, we not only enhance the care we provide at EDCMT, but we also contribute to the broader mental health community in Montana. Donations will help us train and develop the next generation of eating disorder professionals, ultimately expanding the resources available for eating disorder treatment in the state.
Looking Toward the Future
While these are our primary goals right now, the possibilities for growth are endless. Over time, as we expand our funding base, we hope to increase access to care even further, provide more support services, and ensure that no one who needs eating disorder treatment is turned away due to financial constraints.
We believe that with the support of our community—patients, families, donors, and partners—we can make these goals a reality and continue to provide life-changing care to more individuals in Montana.
Thank You for Your Support
We are incredibly grateful for your continued support as we embark on this new chapter. If you have any questions about how donations will be used or would like to learn more about how you can get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Your generosity makes it possible for us to keep offering high-quality, compassionate care, and together, we can continue making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
