DayOne 2026 has concluded but you can still make your gift. Click Here!
$ 627,489 raised 1,042 gifts
Institute for Educational Opportunities has raised $ 1,725 from 6 gifts!
Institute for Educational Opportunities
Investing in Growth Pathways through Institute for Educational Opportunities Programs

For many students, reaching college begins with someone helping them believe it is possible. Montana Tech’s Institute for Educational Opportunities provides that encouragement along with the guidance, resources, and personal support students need to begin college, persist, and graduate.

Since 1994, IEO has helped thousands of first generation and income eligible students across Montana explore educational opportunities and build pathways toward meaningful careers. Through individual attention, academic support, mentoring, and college preparation, IEO meets students where they are and helps them move confidently toward their goals.

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. 

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

Opening Doors and Strengthening Support

Gifts to the Institute for Educational Opportunities Fund provide flexible resources that can be directed where they are needed most. Support can fund outreach, advising, campus visits, tutoring, emergency student assistance, academic coaching, and innovative programs that help students feel connected and capable.

Donors may also choose to support a specific IEO program, including the Alice Maes Memorial Scholarship, Upward Bound, Talent Search, or Student Support Services. Together, these programs help students prepare for college, navigate financial aid, explore careers, build academic skills, and remain on track to graduation.

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. 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.


 

2026 DayOne Projects
Biological Sciences Business Chemistry & Geochemistry Civil Engineering Computer Science Construction Management Digger Athletics Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Exercise & Health Science Geological Engineering Highlands College Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences Mathematical Sciences Mechanical Engineering Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Mining Engineering Sherry Lesar School of Nursing Petroleum Engineering Safety, Health & Industrial Hygiene Writing Founders' Fund Research CLSPS Dean Fund Lance College of Mines and Engineering Dean Fund Dean of Students and Kasperick Emergency Funds Student Clubs Montana Tech Food Pantry Staff Senate Institute for Educational Opportunities Ripple (formerly CFWEP) Scholarships Tech Vision Scholarship Butte Endowed Scholarship Alumni Chapter Scholarships and Funds Class Gifts Montana Tech Board Legacy Fund Other
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
Student Donor Match
Thanks to Jack and Leah McCarthy, 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 $2,000. This matching opportunity has been met and awarded all available funds.
$2,000 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 2026 and supporting the students and programs of Montana Tech!
50 / 50 Donors
Completed
Leaderboard
Kolstad Departmental Leadership Challenge
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 thanks to Montana Tech alum Gary Kolstad '85. Congratulations to all of our departments that competed and thank you to all of our donors supporting your passion through Montana Tech's DayOne 2026 Giving Event.
Rank Prize Department Donors
1 $5,000 Digger Athletics 216
2 $3,750 Mining Engineering 205
3 $2,500 Geological Engineering 95
4 $2,000 Mechanical Engineering 66
5 $1,750 Safety, Health & Industrial Hygiene 60
Ended
2
Match
First Time Donor Match
This match has been met and all available funds have been awarded. Thanks to Jack '73 and Leah McCartrhy 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
Jacob Simpson Memorial Math Annual Scholarship Match
Thanks to Jack '73 and Leah McCarthy, an additional $1,000 in matching funds were awarded to Jacob Simpson Memorial Math Annual Scholarship during DayOne. This matching opportunity has been met and awarded all available funds.
$1,000 MATCHED
Completed
2
Match
McCarthy Momentum Match
Thank you to Jack '73 and Leah McCarthy for driving the momentum and excitement during DayOne. An additional $3,000 has been added to DayOne projects, funds, and scholarships thanks to their generosity. This matching opportunity has been met and awarded all available funds.
$3,000 MATCHED
Completed
$4,000
Anderson Board Legacy Participation Challenge
Thank you to Sundra Anderson for adding an additional $25,000 to the Montana Tech Foundation Board Legacy Fund and the overall DayOne 2026 total!
800 / 800 Gifts
Completed
Institute for Educational Opportunities Donor Map
Rank State Gifts
1 AK 3
1 MT 3
2 AA 0
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Or you can contact us at ssampson@mtech.edu.