MSU Billings Foundation
Established in 1968, the MSU Billings Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization under Internal Revenue Service code 501©(3). MSU Billings Foundation’s core purpose is to help MSU Billings achieve excellence. The MSU Billings Foundation advances the goals of MSU Billings through the solicitation, investment, and stewardship of financial support for the university. The foundation promotes philanthropy, campus and community partnerships, and educational opportunities. A volunteer board of trustees, composed of community leaders, guides the Foundation in achieving its mission. The staff is dedicated to achieving the goals of the Foundation and to serving and assisting donors, supporters, students and faculty of MSU Billings.
Each year, a portion of the funds raised during the Wine and Food Festival Lots of Scholarships is earmarked for the MSU Billings Foundation Discretionary Scholarship fund. Awards are made annually to students deemed worthy of scholarship assistance.
The first MSU Billings Foundation Memorial Endowed Scholarship was awarded in academic year 1988-1989.
During the People, Pride and Promise Campaign for Excellence, the University and its friends established a goal of raising $7,650,000 in current and endowed funds for future scholarships needs. One of the areas of priority was for non-resident scholarships. In October 2007 the staff at the MSU Billings Foundation officially named the fund: the New Montanan Endowed Scholarship. This endowment will provide scholarship funding to non-residents of Montana who meet the following criteria. The first scholarship was awarded in academic year 2008-2009.
The Trustees Opportunity Scholarship Endowment was established in 2011 by the MSU Billings Foundation Board of Trustees in support of the Opportunity Campaign for MSU Billings Scholarship. The scholarship endowment fund will provide financial assistance to students who meet the Opportunity Campaign criteria. The first scholarship was awarded in academic year 2013-2014.
The Foundation also supports the MSU Billings Foundation General Scholarship.
Impact
“Thank you so much for choosing me to be a recipient for the MSU Billings Foundation General Scholarship. I am truly grateful for the generous contribution to my education. This scholarship will really help with the financial responsibility that accompanies higher education… I have truly loved my time at MSUB and all the great people I have met, and continue to meet. I am excited for the next three years of my life here. Your generous contribution helps make my dream a reality. Thank you for everything!” — Kendra V., Biology major
“I would like to start off by saying thank you. I received the New Montanan Endowed Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship has greatly impacted my life. I was not really sure how I was going to pay for my first year of college, this scholarship has made it a little easier… After graduation I plan to stay in Billings and find a job opening within my major. My dream is to make a difference in students lives, reach their heart, and make them better people. Thank you!” — Samantha R., Elementary Education major
“I want to thank you for choosing me to receive the Trustees Opportunity Endowed Scholarship. It will be a big help for my family and I. This scholarship will be a big stress reliever for my family because they are working extra hard in order to help me afford schooling. I really appreciate the opportunity you have given me… Once again I want to thank you for bringing me one step closer to my life goal.” — Victor S., Liberal Studies major