The Yellowstone Park specialty license plate program began in 2003. Motorists pay a $35 for a specialty license plate, which includes a one-time, $15 fee for the county and state and $20 for the Yellowstone Park Foundation. The annual renewal donation fee is $20 which goes to the Yellowstone Park Foundation to fund park projects and programs. Motorists apply and pay for the Yellowstone license plate at regional Montana Motor Vehicle Offices.
Those who live outside Montana can purchase a Yellowstone Collector's-Edition License Plate - a State of Montana plate printed with either the characters "AAA 000" or their choice of up to six characters - for $30 or a Yellowstone Collector's Edition Vanity Plate for $35. These plates are not issued through the state, and are only available at the foundation's website.
The program provides approximately $48,000 a year in net revenues which are distributed by the Motor Vehicle Office to the Foundation on a monthly basis.
The license plate program is more flexible than other states, allowing nonprofits to choose how they want to set up the program. They can choose to receive the annual renewal donations of $20 per Yellowstone plate or they can opt to receive a one-time fee of $50 on the purchase of each plate.
To establish the specialty license plate program, the Foundation paid $1,200 to the Motor Vehicle Office. Currently, the fee is $4,000. The Foundation also worked with a graphic designer who donated in-kind services to design the plate. Non-profits with specialty license plates have the option to change the design of their license plate every three years.
Initially, applications for the plates were processed through the Yellowstone Park Foundation and then forwarded to the Motor Vehicle Office. Now everything is done through the Motor Vehicle Office and all inquiries are directed to them. The Foundation is happy with the program because of the unrestricted funds, the program's low maintenance and the exposure the plates provide for the park.
An additional benefit: Montana's Motor Vehicle Office provides the Foundation with a list of the names and information on those who purchased Yellowstone plates. The information is used to acknowledge plate purchasers, send thank you letters, and solicit donations. Renewal reminders are also sent out to purchasers on the month the plate is due.
The Foundation and other nonprofits with plate programs have been unable to resolve differences in the state's reporting of the number of license plates sold and the revenue generated. They have met with the MVO to discuss these discrepancies. To provide more accurate accounting, the state will be updating their computer systems over the next three years.
Contact: Tom Porter, Annual Fund Coordinator with Yellowstone Park Foundation
Another possible contact: Michael S. Cary - Executive Director
406-586-6303