The Coalition began as a small group of individuals throughout Montana, united by a concern for ending stereotypes about people on welfare and defending the rights of recipients in the face of an often hostile bureaucracy. The group had its first statewide meeting in August 1996 in the state capital, Helena. In total, there are now over 200 members, one-third of whom receive public assistance. The only requirement to become a voting member is that one annually confirm support for MWAC's mission statement which affirms taking action to ensure social and economic justice for all.
Members can either pay dues or receive scholarships.
The Bozeman MWAC chapter is the largest and strongest in the state. Chapter meetings always include a support group session where people are allowed to vent, sharing their feelings of frustration and despair. Meetings always conclude with an action hour, when the group discusses concrete steps that they plan to take in the near future. Ms. Gram noted that MWAC was committed to preserving access to higher education, and shaping a state advisory council of welfare recipients that could directly engage government welfare administrators and welfare recipients in open dialogue. More recently, she mentioned growing concerns about mistreatment of recipients by county agency employees, including harassment of recipients who are trying to educate themselves by attending college, and sanctioning recipients for filing late paperwork or missing an appointment.