UM Launches Major ‘For Montana’ Initiative to Expand Scholarship Support

MISSOULA – The University of Montana and the UM Foundation have created the For Montana Scholarship Initiative, a new landmark fundraising effort to help more Montana students access a UM education, preparing them to contribute to the state’s workforce and long-term prosperity.

The initiative will expand scholarship opportunities for Montana residents through new renewable scholarships that will support students from enrollment through graduation. It will also create new ways for alumni, businesses, foundations and friends of the University to invest in the next generation of leaders, innovators and community builders.

“Our goal is simple: If a Montana student wants to attend the University of Montana, we will do everything we can to remove the barriers standing in their way,” UM President Jeremiah Shinn said. “A UM education can change the trajectory of someone’s life and strengthen the communities they call home. If serving students is truly our purpose, then removing financial barriers isn’t simply a fundraising initiative; it’s a moral imperative.”

The initiative comes at a critical time for student access to higher education, economic development and community success in the state. Employers and communities need skilled graduates to fill critical workforce needs across business, healthcare, education, technology, skilled trades, public service and other key sectors.

Affordability remains a significant barrier to higher education for many Montana families. Scholarships are a powerful way to help lessen financial burdens. Families continue to face challenges covering tuition, housing, food, books and other educational expenses, including middle-income families who don’t qualify for substantial federal aid but still struggle to meet college costs.

For Montana offers donors a meaningful way to invest in Montana’s future, providing a much-needed source of support. It will help greater numbers of promising students pursue a high-quality education, complete their degrees and use their talents close to home.

“Our donors have transformed lives through scholarship support for generations, and this initiative builds on that remarkable legacy,” said UM Foundation President and CEO Cindy Williams. “Every gift is an investment in a Montana student and in the future of our state. Together, we can open doors to opportunity and help more students realize the full promise of a University of Montana education.”

The UM Foundation invites alumni, businesses, foundations and friends of the University to build on decades of donor-driven scholarships and participate in this historic initiative. Every gift matters, and gifts of all sizes will help provide educational pathways for Montana students.

“For Montana is an opportunity for longtime supporters and first-time donors alike to invest in students with the talent, determination and ambition to succeed,” Williams said. “Together, we can help more Montana students access a University of Montana education and gain the knowledge, confidence and experiences that will shape their futures. Whether they build their careers in Montana or carry the values of Montana wherever they go, their success is a powerful return on that investment.

“By investing in these students today, donors are helping build a stronger Montana for generations to come,” she said.

In partnership with Grizzly Athletics, For Montana will receive a prominent public launch during the 2026-27 football season. Grizzly football players will wear a distinctive “For Montana” patch on their uniforms at every away and home game, helping raise awareness and inspire support for Montana students.

To support Montana students and learn more about the For Montana Scholarship Initiative, visit: www.ForMontana.org.

The UM Foundation is an independent, nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status that has inspired philanthropic support to enhance excellence and opportunity at UM since 1950.

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Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM vice president of marketing and communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu.