The University of Montana Foundation
The Senior Challenge is a student-run fundraising campaign to educate seniors about the importance of philanthropy. Participating seniors choose the programs or campus areas that their fundraising efforts support. The goal of the Senior Challenge is participation – whether a gift of $5 or $50 - no gift is too small. Seniors who give before the end of April are recognized in the last Kaimin issue and on the UM Foundation’s website. Senior donors also receive a special tassel charm to wear during commencement. Most importantly, these seniors have the opportunity to leave a mark by contributing to The University of Montana legacy.
Why should seniors support UM?
Giving is a personal decision and each person who gives to UM has their own answer to that question. Giving to the Senior Challenge is about participation! Prospective students, faculty, and the media view participation as a vote of confidence in the institution. For this reason, high participation helps attract the best faculty and students to Missoula. Every gift has greater impact than he or she might realize.
I already pay tuition!
Why should I give back when I’m paying an arm and a leg for my education? Believe it or not, tuition does not represent the true cost of a UM education; it covers only 27 percent of the University’s operating budget.
How much should I give to the Senior Challenge?
Make a gift that is meaningful and affordable to you. This will vary based on your personal willingness to give and financial capacity. No gift is too small. Remember, it is all about your participation.
What can I support with my gift?
Each year, the Senior Challenge committee votes on a senior class gift. Past gifts include a bench, bike rack and trees on the Oval. The Class of 2011 donated an illustrated map of campus which was installed on Mount Sentinel. You may choose to give to the senior class gift or to whatever program or area on campus you choose to support, from academics to athletics to the arts to student organizations or student services. Many alumni donors choose to make an unrestricted gift to the Excellence Fund, while other donors choose to restrict their gifts to a specific department, the Mansfield Library or scholarships for UM students.
Who will know about my gift?
We list the names of seniors who participate in the Senior Challenge in a special Kaimin advertisement before graduation. Each senior who gives before the end of April also will receive a special tassel charm to wear on graduation day to show their participation. If you wish to keep their gift entirely anonymous, no problem!
How can I get involved?
You can participate by making a donation to Senior Challenge, or joining the Senior Challenge committee. Learn more about the committee and how to apply, and then check out what Eric Stokes, 2011 Senior Challenge Chair, says about his own experience with Senior Challenge.
Pictured above: The Senior Challenge 2011 committee.
