University of Montana Foundation

The UM Foundation announces ‘Treasure Montana: Cultivating Our Tomorrow,’ a fundraising campaign to safeguard and sustain Montana’s vibrant landscapes, natural resources and ecosystems. The campaign aims to inspire $20 million in private support to build Montana’s new hub for environment and conservation on the University of Montana campus. This initiative is intended to support one of UM’s areas of strength and ensure that the University realizes a $25 million state funding match opportunity. The new facility for the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation will provide students, faculty and stakeholders with resources and spaces to tackle complex challenges, including increased forest fire activity, drought and water shortages, decline in trout populations and more. With 60,000 square feet of classrooms, labs, gathering space and student services, the new building will be located at the heart of campus, between Main Hall and the Davidson Honors College.?Designed by A&E Design, the new structure will feature innovative sustainable wood building products and be LEED-certified. This building will be among the largest structures in the region constructed of mass timber, an environmentally friendly building product. Join UM in creating an iconic space that enriches teaching, learning, and research while fostering collaboration to address the critical issues facing Montana and the American West. Learn more, give and engage at www.TreasureMontana.org. #TreasureMontana #MT #forestry #conservation #environment #wildlifebio ZGF Architects

This season of gratitude, we are profoundly thankful for our dedicated supporters who make a difference for UM students. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to changing lives and creating a brighter future. We wish you a happy and safe holiday!

Thank you to all who attended the President's Club tailgate hosted by the UM Foundation on November 16! We hope you enjoyed the time with your UM community and had a great day cheering on the Grizzly football team. We are grateful for these opportunities to connect with you on campus and thank you for your commitment to UM's mission. #GoGriz

Celebrate the power of generosity this #GivingTuesday! When 100 donors give on Dec. 3, alumnus Bob Conklin ‘74 pledges to contribute $10,000. Please join our giving community and make a donation of any size on this global day of giving. Support the President’s Excellence Fund to elevate campus programs and fuel innovation. Or, give to Student Success Scholarships to open doors for talented students of all backgrounds. Visit https://lnkd.in/gms4J3p to donate. Thank you!

Joel and Patti Meier, lifelong advocates for outdoor recreation and conservation, are creating an enduring legacy at the University of Montana through their philanthropy. The Meiers chose to make their gift through qualified charitable distributions, or QCDs, a tax-efficient giving option that allows individuals 70? or older to transfer up to $105,000 annually from a traditional IRA directly to charity. QCDs count toward the required minimum distribution and are excluded from taxable income, making them a valuable tool for impactful giving. The Meiers' have also included support in their estate plan to endow two key positions in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, and support the Native American Natural Resources Program, furthering UM’s leadership in outdoor education and conservation. Learn more about the Meiers’ visionary support and the benefits of QCDs: https://bit.ly/3B7s8MW

New Griz gear, inspired by the Nike N7 program that encourages Indigenous youth to join in sports, is available for sale at the Go Griz Store, Scheels in Missoula and The M Store. Licensing proceeds benefit UM’s Kyiyo Pow Wow, one of the nation’s oldest student-run powwows. This year’s artist is Kaylene Big Knife, a UM alumna from the Chippewa Cree Tribe and the first female artist to create a logo for the University's campaign. Learn more about Big Knife and the inspiration for her design at https://lnkd.in/gP7spMnF. #NativeGriz #GoGriz

There are only four days left to support your passion and make an immediate impact! Your gift during the 2024 crowdfunding campaign helps UM programs across campus raise critical funds for diverse projects. Donate to support any of 11 opportunities by Nov. 15 at https://lnkd.in/gCNCyzza.

This #VeteransDay, we honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces and acknowledge their service and sacrifice in defense of our nation. UM has long been recognized as a campus that values service and is working towards becoming the most military-friendly university in the nation: Military-affiliated students make up 12% of our student body overall, and this fall, we celebrated a 10.8% increase in student veteran enrollment. In a special Veterans Day message today, President Seth Bodnar encouraged the University community to engage with the Military and Veteran Services Office and support their efforts to build our military-affiliated student community at UM. Learn more and give at https://lnkd.in/gAQtUisJ.

This week, we celebrate #NationalFirstGenDay and remarkable Grizzlies like Denise Grills who are the first in their family to attend college. Against her high school guidance counselor’s advice to prepare for marriage rather than college, Grills enrolled at UM and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1980. The Butte native went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University and blaze her own path through educational and corporate worlds. Throughout her successful career, Grills has remained committed to helping others reach their full potential. Today, she is a champion for the College of Business, and many of her gifts demonstrate her ongoing dedication to advocating for women’s leadership. "Everything I accomplished in life was due to my family,” Grills said, “and the University of Montana." Read more about Grills' inspiring journey and the impact of her philanthropy at https://lnkd.in/gYqS783T. #FirstGen #UMFirstGen #UMontana

Range rider and University of Montana alumnus Joe Zecher is leveraging his wildlife biology degree to support coexistence between ranchers and predators in Montana’s Centennial Valley. Through his work monitoring cattle and wildlife, Joe plays a key role in reducing conflicts between livestock and predators like wolves and bears. Reflecting on his education at the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, he credits UM’s hands-on approach for preparing him to make a meaningful impact in sustainable agriculture and land stewardship. Private support of the "Treasure Montana: Cultivating Our Tomorrow" campaign will empower future leaders like Joe to build impactful careers that protect working lands and wildlife in Montana and beyond. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gtHJiMtx. #TreasureMontana #WildlifeBiology #UMontana