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Whether you're just getting started, looking for new customers,
wanting to grow sales through e-commerce, or focusing on workforce.
We can help in your success!
Check out the upcoming trainings below!
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2026 Midwest Virtual Matchmaker: Connecting Businesses with Government Buyers!
Are you looking to sell to the government? The 2026 Midwest Virtual Matchmaker connects businesses with federal, state, and prime contractors to explore procurement opportunities and build relationships that can lead to contracts. One of the largest virtual procurement events in the region, this event brings businesses and government buyers together in a focused, online setting. Great Falls Regional APEX invites you to participate in the 2026 Midwest Virtual Matchmaker: Connecting Businesses with Government Buyers.
Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for businesses of all sizes and industries seeking direct access to procurement officials, meaningful networking opportunities, and growth in the government marketplace. Register here: https://stonesriverem.com/event/midwest2026
- Two-day Event, February 11 & 12, 2026
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (MDT)
- Virtual
- Free
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Understanding Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) in Federal Contracting
Join Montana APEX Accelerator for a high-level overview of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI). Gain a clear understanding of how it can impact your ability to compete for and maintain federal contracts. This session will demystify the concept, explain compliance requirements, and outline practical steps to identify and mitigate potential FOCI risks. Whether your business is currently contracting with the government or exploring new contract opportunities, this overview will help you strengthen your readiness and protect your eligibility in the federal marketplace.
Who Should Attend?
This session is ideal for businesses currently engaged in or pursuing federal contracts, especially owners, executives, and compliance professionals who need to understand how foreign ownership or influence could affect their eligibility and competitiveness with contracts in the federal marketplace. Register here:
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MDT)
- Virtual
- Free
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Boost Your Business in 2026:
Focus on profit through pricing and other cash flow metrics
February 19, we will focus on using cash flow to maximize profitability. This training focuses on how small management moves can produce big results in cash flow and profitability. Building on a basic understanding of gross and net margins, the session shows how to evaluate margin trends over time and why shrinking margins should be an early warning sign. Using a simple case study, participants will see how marginal changes—such as collecting receivables faster or adjusting when accounts payable are paid—can significantly improve cash flow and profit without increasing sales. The emphasis is on practical, actionable decisions business owners can apply immediately.
Instructions:Please bring real examples of products or services for which you would like to receive on the spot counseling. We will do our best to accommodate as many of these examples as possible.
- Thursday February 19, 2026
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Pricing Strategy Improving Profit
- 8:30-9:30 AM
- In-Person
- Great Fall Association of Realtors
- 401 13th Ave South
- Free
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Boost Your Business in 2026
Level up your business skills and stay ahead of the curve with Boost Your Business, a FREE in-person training series designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals across all industries.
Each month, we dive into a new topic—marketing, leadership, finance, operations, technology, and more—to give you practical tools you can use right away.
Click here to register for individual sessions. Feel free to register for one or all!
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Nonprofit Board Excellence: Elevate Your Impact
February 23-24
The Great Falls Area Community Foundation, in partnership with The Newberry, TDS Fiber, Montana Nonprofit Association, and the Montana Community Foundation is proud to present Nonprofit Board Excellence Winter 2026 Training Series. The classes are on February 23rd and 24th at The Newberry in Downtown Great Falls. Cost for each session is $20 and preregistration on Eventbrite is required. Our community foundation exists to serve local nonprofits with education, grants, and support. All proceeds go to our endowment fund which funds our annual granting each summer.
Leadership Launch + Board Basics
9 am to Noon
$20
This class provides actionable advice for seasoned volunteers and greenhorns alike. Learn how to become a better board member by improving your governance, fundraising, and storytelling abilities. Understand principles and practices to elevate the impact of your organization.
State of the Non Profit Sector in Montana
Noon to 2 PM
$20
Join Adam Jespersen, Executive Director of the Montana Nonprofit Association, for the State of the Sector presentation.
Board Basics Workshop
7-8 PM
$20
This class provides actionable advice for seasoned volunteers and greenhorns alike. Learn how to become a better board member by improving your governance, fundraising, and storytelling abilities.
Tuesday, 2/24
Financial Leadership Workshop
9 am to Noon
$20
Join us to get an in-depth look into the world of nonprofit financial leadership. Topics include Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements, Financial Leadership for Nonprofit Staff, and Financial Leadership for Boards.
Compliance Workshop
Noon - 2 PM, lunch provided
$20
This unique workshop is an opportunity to share your progress and refine best practices for your organization. We will begin with an “elevator pitch” exercise with each attendee taking the mic to share why you serve with your organization.
Link to Register on Eventbrite: GFACF Eventbrite
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Where's the Profit? How to (actually) make money selling your beer in 2026
We’re co-hosting a free webinar with Small Batch Standard [sbstandard.com], a team of financial experts that has helped 285+ craft breweries increase profit over the past 15 years! It’ll take place on Tuesday, February 24 at 10 am MT, and I’d love for you and your team to join us.
As the craft industry has plateaued, running a profitable brewery has become more and more challenging each year. This presentation will provide craft business owners a deep dive to understand why this is and, more importantly, the strategic changes owners need to make in order to sell the right beer, to the right consumers, at the right margins, to generate cash and finally get ahead.
We will cover:
- Why the 2015 playbook for successfully growing and running a profitable brewery no longer works like it used to
- The different implications for profit, cost structure, and finance
- How to use this information to create an action plan for what needs to change in your brewery
We’ll keep it actionable, straightforward, and specific to the challenges breweries are facing right now.
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026
- 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (MDT)
- Virtual
- Free
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U.S. Forest Service Fire Contracting: Rumors, Reality, and Changes
Join Montana APEX and U.S. Forest Service Contractor Liaison Brian Webber for an informational, fact-based session on U.S. Forest Service solicitations, hosted by Great Falls APEX. This session will highlight what has changed, what remains the same, and what is still evolving, while separating rumor from reality. Attendees will leave with clear, reliable information and a better sense of what to expect as things continue to evolve.
Why Attend?
Hear directly from the U.S. Forest Service on solicitation updates. Separate rumors from reality with clear, fact-based information. Understand what has changed, what hasn’t, and what’s staying the same. Register here: https://mtapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/41674
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MDT)
- Virtual
- Free
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Business in the Classroom
Each week this semester in Great Falls High School is welcoming local businesses to introduce students to real world career opportunities. Businesses are asked to come in and present to two classes in one two hour block. You can click here to view the full calendar and call Taylor at 406-268-6320 for more information.
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| | | Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life. | | |
Our Mission
Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.
GFDA is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and a 501(c)3 charitable organization. High Plains Financial is a certified Community Development Corporation that offers SBA 504 loans statewide. GFDA and High Plains Financial are Equal Opportunity Employers, Lenders and Providers.
GFDA is proud to host a Montana Small Business Development Center, a Montana APEX Accelerator, and a Montana Food & Ag Development Center. GFDA is a certified Montana MicroBusiness Development Corporation.
GFDA was the first economic development organization in the Rocky Mountain West to earn accreditation from the International Economic Development Council.
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