Objective 6 Project Reports
March, 2026
Objective 6: Broaden UM’s engagement with alumni, donors, and community members
Below are project reports for four projects in UM's Playbook focused on Objective 6. Each report includes details about the intent of the project, why it's important, and progress made this fiscal year.
Objective 6 Project Reports
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The project
Shape the UM narrative and empower external partners to promote UM’s brand, accomplishments, and impact through community engagement in Montana
Project Lead: Dave Kuntz and LeAnn Layton
Executive Sponsor: Kelly WebsterWhat we’re trying to accomplish
This project is developing and implementing a coordinated statewide engagement strategy that strengthens UM’s presence, relationships, and storytelling across Montana. It equips UM ambassadors with shared messages, plans targeted regional engagement, and creates a feedback loop so insights from communities inform enrollment, communications, and decision-making.
Why it matters
Building trust, pride, and confidence in UM across Montana is essential to increasing in-state enrollment, donor support, and long-term institutional resilience. A visible, listening-oriented presence helps Montanans see themselves in UM, strengthens relationships with community and civic leaders, and reinforces UM’s relevance and impact statewide.
Progress
UM has completed multiple high-quality engagement visits in priority markets, refined a repeatable outreach “playbook,” and strengthened coordination with Admissions to ensure community feedback shapes recruitment strategy. A growing network of ambassadors has been engaged, thematic insights from visits are being synthesized and shared, and early data infrastructure and inventories are underway to support a sustainable, statewide engagement model.
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The project
Build Griz pride in UM as a hub for community and statewide arts and athletics engagement
Project Leads: Paula Short, Jim Smart, and Tia Meegan
Executive Sponsor: Kent HaslamWhat we’re trying to accomplish
This project is positioning UM as a premier hub for arts, entertainment, athletics, and special events by expanding the number and diversity of ticketed events hosted on campus. It focuses on strategic venue planning, coordinated scheduling, revenue generation, and clear policies to maximize the cultural and economic impact of UM’s facilities.
Why it matters
Strengthening UM’s role as a community and statewide events hub enhances institutional reputation, builds alumni and community pride, and generates revenue to support facilities and academic priorities. By better utilizing campus venues, UM can contribute to regional economic vitality while telling a compelling story about UM as a cultural and civic anchor.
Progress
The project has focused on developing venue-specific revenue analyses for major facilities, including Washington–Grizzly Stadium and the Adams Center, while also identifying open dates in academic performance venues to expand programming opportunities. Foundational financial modeling and scheduling work is underway, providing the data needed to guide future event planning, policy development, and team expansion.
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The project
Enhance giving among UM alumni, expand the UM network of non-alumni donors, and launch a parent and family giving program
Project Leads: Mandy Brooks, Joellen Shannon, and LeAnn Layton
Executive Sponsor: Cindy WilliamsWhat we’re trying to accomplish
This project is expanding and diversifying philanthropic support for UM by strengthening alumni giving, growing the network of non-alumni donors, and launching a dedicated Parent and Family Giving program. It aligns UM and UM Foundation efforts to modernize giving tools, coordinate messaging, and deepen donor engagement.
Why it matters
Philanthropy is essential to UM’s long-term financial resilience and ability to invest in students, faculty, and programs. By broadening who gives—and how they engage—UM can reduce risk from declining alumni participation nationally, unlock new donor potential, and build stronger, more durable relationships with families, alumni, and supporters across Montana and beyond.
Progress
UM and the UM Foundation have strengthened alumni giving by aligning strategies through regular coordination and collaboration. Online giving has transitioned to the GiveCampus platform, and preparations are underway to launch Griz2Griz—an initiative designed to educate graduating students about the impact of donor support on scholarships and to establish a tradition of lifelong giving. In addition, approximately 225,000 solicitations have been deployed across multiple channels.
The foundation for a Parent and Family Giving Program has also been established, featuring the creation of a Parent and Family Council, philanthropic outreach to 14,000 families through the parent portal, and engagement strategies for parents and families. Lastly, our effort to cultivate non‑alumni donors continues to grow, with more than 30 percent of active fundraising efforts now focused on non‑alumni prospects.
Media
Giving to student scholarships promotion video