As featured on KXLF News

Butte, Montana — As 2025 comes to a close, Unique Lighting & Home Decor is reflecting on nearly two decades of serving Southwest Montana with the same belief that guided us from the start: community is not a tagline. It’s the reason we open our doors every day.

This December, we made the largest in-kind nonprofit contribution in our 19-year history, donating over $7,500 in lighting fixtures, accessories, hardware, bulbs, and supplies to long-time partner National Affordable Housing Network (NAHN).

Housing affordability is a defining challenge across Montana and the U.S. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 28.9% of Montana households spent 30% or more of their income on housing and utilities in 2024, meeting the federal definition of cost-burdened households. This aligns with national trends showing that nearly one in three U.S. households face the same pressure as housing costs continue to rise faster than incomes.

NAHN has spent more than 30 years advancing long-term affordable homeownership, focusing on sustainable subdivision development and financial literacy. Their work continues to support housing momentum throughout Southwest Montana, including developments led by organizations like Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Montana.

“After two decades of working with Affordable Housing, I am so excited to be able to provide this level of contribution to an organization that I wholeheartedly believe in,” said Kellie Gribben, Owner and Founder of Unique Lighting & Home Decor.

“They’re [NAHN] work ensures housing affordability isn’t just about lowering upfront costs, it’s about creating homes and communities that remain sustainable for families over time. Their mission impacts entire neighborhoods and the families that live in them. I’m proud to support that momentum for Southwest Montana as these economic pressures continue to challenge households across the area.”

Why in-kind giving matters more than ever

Monetary donations help, but in-kind giving removes barriers directly. Construction costs rise every year. Build budgets stretch thinner. Local nonprofits and community organizations are doing more work with less margin. When material costs are reduced, more of the budget goes to labor, land, and impact — meaning more homes, more repairs, and more families served.

The Montana difference

Butte has always been defined by resilience, resourcefulness, and looking out for one another. This donation isn’t a pivot for us — it’s proof of continuity. After 19 years, our values have not changed, even as the world around us has.

2026: Looking forward

The lighting products we contributed will support ongoing 2026 housing initiatives across Southwest Montana. When families succeed in becoming homeowners, entire neighborhoods feel the effect. When local organizations succeed, the region succeeds.

A legacy of showing up

Since opening in 2007, Unique Lighting & Home Decor has believed that businesses should participate in community outcomes, not just local commerce. We are grateful to end 2025 by supporting organizations committed to solving one of the region’s most pressing issues — housing stability and affordability.