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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 Education Opportunities Match
During DayOne all gifts to Institute for Education Opportunities featured funds will be matched 1:1 up to $1,000 thanks to Jack '73 and Leah McCarthy.
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Match
Student Donor Match
Montana Tech student donor gifts will be matched 1:1 for each dollar given from a match pool of $5,000 thanks to a generous gift from Jack and Leah McCarthy. That means your gift of $50 actually has the impact of $100. To take advantage of this matching opportunity make sure to select STUDENT from the How are you affiliated with Montana Tech question on the giving form. Answers will be monitored for validity. Matching opportunity is available from noon September 9th, 2026 to noon September 11th, 2026 or sooner if the $5,000 match has been met.
$5,000
Faculty Staff Participation Match Challenge
$5,000 will be unlocked at the time 50 Montana Tech faculty/staff members have participated in DayOne 2026. Upon completion of the entire DayOne Giving event $100 will be applied to the project or projects to which the original gift was made for each of those donors.
50 Donor Goal
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Leaderboard
Departmental Challenge Leaderboard
Montana Tech Departments are competing head-to-head for a chance to earn extra money towards their department by bringing in the most donors to their project. The top ten finishers split the pot valued at up to $20,000.
Department (20)
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First Time Donor Match
First-time donor gifts will be matched 1:1 for each dollar given from a match pool of $5,000. That means your gift of $50 actually has the impact of $100. To take advantage of this matching opportunity if it is your first time giving to Montana Tech make sure to answer yes to being a first-time donor on the giving form. Answers will be monitored for validity. Matching opportunity will be available from noon September 9th, 2026 through noon September 11th, 2026 or sooner if the $5,000 match has been met.
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Jacob Simpson Memorial Math Annual Scholarship Match
During DayOne, thanks to Jack '73 and Leah McCarthy, each gift to the Jacob Simpson Memorial Math Annual Scholarship will be matched 1:1 up to $1,000.
$3,000
Anderson Board Legacy Participation Challenge
We are aiming for 800! During DayOne thanks to a generous match to the Montana Tech Foundation Board Legacy Fund by Foundation legacy board member and alum Sundra Anderson, every time we pass a 100 donor total all the way up to 700 we will add $3,000 to the overall DayOne total and if we hit 800 it will unlock an additional $4,000 for a total of $25,000.
100 Gift Goal
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Participating Groups
Biological Sciences Business Chemistry & Geochemistry Civil Engineering/Construction Management Computer Science Digger Athletics Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Geological Engineering Highlands College Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences Mathematical Sciences Mechanical Engineering Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Mining Engineering Nursing Petroleum Engineering Safety, Health & Industrial Hygiene CLSPS Dean Fund Lance College of Mines and Engineering Dean Fund Kasperick Emergency and Dean of Students Funds Undergraduate Research Student Clubs Montana Tech Food Pantry Staff Senate Institute for Educational Opportunities Ripple (formerly CFWEP) Scholarships Tech Vision Endowed Scholarship Butte Endowed Scholarship Alumni Chapter Scholarships Class Gifts Founders' Fund Montana Tech Board Legacy Fund Other
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Institute for Educational Opportunities Donor Map
Rank State Gifts
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Or you can contact us at spanisko@mtech.edu.