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$ 560,970 raised 707 gifts
Institute for Educational Opportunities has raised $ 4,665 from 10 gifts!
Institute for Educational Opportunities
Honoring 125 Years of Opportunity through Institute for Educational Opportunities Programs

For 125 years, Montana Tech has opened doors for determined students. Since 1994, the Institute for Educational Opportunities (IEO)—conveniently located in the Health Sciences Building—has been that first open door for thousands of Montana learners. IEO creates clear pathways, support, and mentorship for first-generation and income-eligible students to get to college, succeed once they’re here, and graduate career-ready.

Why IEO, Why Now

More than a third of students from Southwest Montana have engaged with IEO programs—proof that early guidance and consistent mentorship change lives. As we celebrate Tech’s 125th anniversary, we’re investing in the next generation of Montanans who will shape the state’s future in STEM and beyond.

IEO pairs students with programs that meet their individual needs and ambitions, with an emphasis on one-on-one attention. Your support fuels:

  • College access & readiness for first-generation students across Montana
  • STEM enrichment that builds curiosity, skills, and confidence
  • Year-round mentoring and academic coaching through high school and college
  • Campus connections to research, tutoring, and financial aid navigation
  • Belonging & persistence—so students don’t just start college, they finish

The Most Flexible, High-Impact Gift

Give to the Institute for Educational Opportunities Fund.

This fund lets us move resources where they’re needed most—outreach, advising, campus visits, tutoring, emergency student support, and program innovation that can’t wait.

Prefer to Support a Specific IEO Effort?

You can also direct your DayOne gift to the initiatives housed within IEO:

Alice Maes Memorial Scholarship Fund – Scholarships honoring a beloved advocate for student success

Upward Bound – Intensive college-prep, academic support, and summer bridge experiences for high school students

Talent Search – Early advising, FAFSA help, and college/career exploration for middle and high school students

Student Support Services (SSS) – Tutoring, success coaching, and mentoring for enrolled Montana Tech students

DayOne Match—Double Your Impact

Thanks to Jack ’73 and Leah McCarthy, every gift to any IEO fund listed above will be matched 1:1 up to $1,000 during DayOne. Your support goes twice as far for first-generation success.



Thank you for investing in Montana’s students—and in the next 125 years of opportunity at Montana Tech.

Please help us spread the word! Share this project on social media, email it to friends and family, and invite others to join you in supporting IEO today.


 

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Institute for Educational Opportunities Donor Map
Rank State Gifts
1 MT 7
2 AA 0
2 AE 0
2
Match
Institute for Education Opportunities Match
Thanks to Jack '73 and Leah McCarthy, an additional $1,000 was added to Institute for Education Opportunities featured funds during DayOne. This matching opportunity has been met and awarded all available funds.
Completed
2
Match
First Time Donor Match
This match has been met and all available funds have been awarded. During DayOne first time donors had their gifts matched 1:1 from a match pool of $5,000. This matching opportunity has been met and awarded all available funds.
$5,000 MATCHED
Completed
2
Match
Student Donor Match
During DayOne Montana Tech student donors had their gift matched 1:1 from a match pool of $5,000. This matching opportunity has been met and awarded all available funds. Thank you for supporting your passion through DayOne, Montana Tech's giving event!
$5,000 MATCHED
Completed
2
Match
McCarthy Second Chance - First Time Donor Match
This match has been met and all available funds have been awarded. Thanks to Jack '73 and Leah McCarthy during DayOne first time donors had their gifts matched 1:1 from a match pool of $5,000. This matching opportunity has been met and awarded all available funds.
Completed
2
Match
McCarthy Momentum Match
Thank you to Jack '73 and Leah McCarthy for driving the momentum and excitement during DayOne. An additional $5,000 has been added to DayOne projects, funds, and scholarships thanks to their generosity. This matching opportunity has been met and awarded all available funds.
$5,000 MATCHED
Completed
$5,000
Faculty Staff Participation Match Challenge
$5,000 was unlocked with the participation of 50 Montana Tech faculty staff members. $100 will be applied to the project to which the original gift was made by the donor. This match opportunity has been met. Thank you to all of our Montana Tech faculty and staff for participating in DayOne 2025 and supporting the students and programs of Montana Tech!
50 / 50 Donors
Completed
$3,000
Kolstad Board Legacy Participation Challenge
Thank you to Gary Kolstad for adding an additional $25,000 to the Montana Tech Foundation Board Legacy Fund and the overall DayOne 2025 total!
Completed
Leaderboard
Departmental Challenge Leaderboard
During DayOne Departments competed head-to-head for a chance to earn extra money towards their department project by bringing in the most donors to their project. The top ten finishers split the pot valued at up to $20,000. Congratulations to all of our departments that competed and thank you to all of our donors supporting your passion through Montana Tech's DayOne 2025 Giving Event.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $5,000 Mining Engineering 127
2 $3,750 Safety, Health & Industrial Hygiene 69
3 $2,500 Digger Athletics 65
4 $2,000 Mechanical Engineering 42
5 $1,750 Geological Engineering 41
Ended
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