OUR FOUNDER’S STORY
Jason Johnson
Jason served 23 years with the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, retiring as Undersheriff in 2019. His career included leadership in patrol, investigations, the coroner’s office, and death investigations, work that exposed him firsthand to the cumulative toll of service.
Like many in uniform, Jason carried unseen wounds. His journey through PTSD and recovery reshaped how he understood resilience, leadership, and hope. Along the way, he discovered programs that worked and painfully, how difficult they were to access.
After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and completing Christian counseling training, Jason continued serving the State of Montana while preparing to dedicate his life to helping others heal.
The Montana Warrior Foundation was born from that calling: to make sure Montana’s warriors and their families never face barriers to the support they deserve.
Our Mission
The Montana Warrior Foundation exists to restore hope and resilience in Montana’s first responder and veteran communities by removing barriers to healing and connecting individuals and families to trusted, life-changing programs.
We fund scholarships for programs that strengthen:
-
Mental and emotional resilience
-
Relationships and family bonds
-
Personal identity and purpose
-
Physical and spiritual well-being
Because healing the warrior means supporting the whole person and often, the whole family.
Who We Serve
-
Active and retired first responders
-
Veterans across all branches of service
-
Spouses and families impacted by service-related stress, trauma, and loss
You don’t have to be “at the breaking point” to ask for help. Hope begins with a conversation.
Partnered Resources
We partner only with organizations that understand service, trauma, recovery, and that are strongly recommended by those who have walked the path themselves.
Mighty Oaks Foundation
Peer-based, trauma-informed resiliency programs designed specifically for veterans and first responders. Programs emphasize identity, purpose, leadership, and long-term recovery. All participants are fully sponsored.
Soul Life
Supporting those who carry the emotional and spiritual weight of service. Soul Life focuses on restoration, refueling, and renewal so those who serve can continue forward with strength and clarity.
Counseling Referral Program
We connect individuals and families with trusted counselors who understand the unique pressures faced by first responders and veterans, ensuring care that is informed, respectful, and effective.
How Scholorships Work
Our approach is simple and intentional:
-
Application: Individuals or families apply for assistance
-
Vetting: We review program fit and readiness
-
Support: Scholarships cover approved program costs, including travel and lodging when needed
-
Follow-Up: Continued encouragement and connection after participation
Every dollar donated goes toward changing lives, not red tape.