Big Hearts

Making a Difference One Family at a Time


A program of the Montana Outfitters & Guides Association, Big Hearts Under the Big Sky is a service organization that provides high-quality therapeutic outdoor adventures—all at no cost—to those who have provided extraordinary services to our country and children who face life-threatening illnesses. Through this program, Big Hearts matches deserving participants with member outfitters to give them a healing, uplifting and memory-making trip in the heart of Montana.

Volunteers Needed: Become Part of Big Hearts

An integral part of the Big Hearts Under the Big Sky program is our volunteers. We could not do this program year after year without them and count ourselves lucky to have incredible people from near and far who help this organization function and be successful, all while touching the lives of men, women and families across the country. Volunteers are needed in a variety of realms, including planning our annual banquet, serving as a Big Hearts ambassador and more.

The Power of Giving: Montana Outfitters & Guides

While Big Hearts Under the Big Sky was founded in 2007 (with our first trips being offered in 2008), Montana’s outfitters and guides have been donating trips to deserving individuals for decades. Today, Big Hearts is the premier organization of its kind because of our commitment to working with the best guides available. Through Big Hearts, more than $1.5 M in trips have been donated to deserving families, while the cost to the family is, and has always been, $0.

Growing the Big Hearts Family

One of the most-loved elements of the Big Hearts Under the Big Sky program is our volunteer-made quilts. Much in the way the family is at the core of American society, our quilts – made up of a patchwork of fabrics stitched together by hand – represent becoming part of our Big Hearts family. Each trip recipient receives a handmade quilt at the end-of-the-trip celebration ceremony as they join the rest of our family, one that’s now made up of more than 95 families and 500 people.

Big Hearts Under the Big Sky, a program of the Montana Outfitter & Guides Association

While there are many organizations throughout the country that host trips for deserving participants, Big Hearts Under the Big Sky is the premier organization of its kind. An association program that’s focused on serving individuals and their families, Big Hearts is best in class as we work with qualified and licensed outfitters and guides throughout Montana.

In 2023, Big Hearts hosted seven families from across the country with the opportunity to heal in Montana’s great outdoors.

Since its founding in 2007, Big Hearts has served 95 families, totaling 500 people.

Big Hearts at a Glance

During the last 16 years, Big Hearts Under the Big Sky has worked with 47 MOGA member outfitters.

Since its inception, MOGA member outfitters have provided over $1.5 M in donated trips, all at no cost to trip recipients.

Once a year, Big Hearts has a Banquet and Auction to raise money to put as many families in the field to heal and become part of the Big Heart’s family.  

2023 Big Hearts Banquet Photos

Events