What is Jacket Giving Day?

The MSU Billings Jacket Giving Day (JGD) is a one-day online fundraising drive in which alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends from all over the world come together to give back and make an impact at MSU Billings.

Jacket Giving Day is held in March to honor the establishment of the State of Montana as Eastern Montana Normal School on March 12, 1927. A year later the institution celebrated its first graduating class at the end of March 1928.  What began as a student body of 149 students (140 women and nine men),  with a faculty of 14, has grown to a student body of 3,987 (Spring 2021) and a faculty/staff of 626 (Spring 2017).

We have raised over $250,000 since Jacket Giving Day started and every dollar has directly impacted the student experience at Eastern Montana’s university.

Challenges/Matches

Want to challenge a group of friends to give back to a certain program?  Want to double the impact of your donation by matching dollars donated up to a certain amount? You can!

What is a Matching Donation?

Matching Donations are a great way to show your support for a campaign and encourage others to get involved. On GiveCampus, there are two types of Matching Donations: Per-Dollar Matches and Per-Donor Matches.

What is a Per-Dollar Matching Donation?

When you set up a Per-Dollar matching donation, you agree to donate a certain amount for every dollar donated by others, for a certain period of time, up to a pre-defined maximum. For example, you could agree to donate $1 for every $1 donated, for the next five days, up to $500.

What is a Per-Donor Matching Donation?

When you set up a Per-Donor matching donation, you agree to donate a certain amount for each donor who gives to the campaign, for a certain period of time, up to a pre-defined maximum. For example, you could agree to donate $25 for each donor who gives to the campaign, for the next ten days, up to $500.

Are Matching Donations tax-deductible?

Yes! Unless otherwise specified on the campaign page, all donations are tax-deductible. You will receive a donation receipt after your donation is processed.

Are Matching Donations visible on the campaign page?

Yes. When you offer a Matching Donation, you will appear on the campaign’s Donors tab and the results of your Match will appear on the Advocates tab—specifically, the number of donors and amount you have matched. Additionally, while your Match is active, all of the details will appear on the campaign page—the amount you are matching, the duration of the match, the maximum donation amount, and how much you have matched thus far.

Can I offer a Matching Donation anonymously?

Yes. If you choose to be anonymous, the details of your Matching Donation will appear on the campaign page, but you will be identified as “Anonymous.”

How much of a Matching Donation goes to the university?

All of it! The school directly receives 100% of each and every donation, for use as stipulated by the campaign.

Does GiveCampus (website provider) store my credit card information?

No. GiveCampus does not store or save your credit card information. We take security very seriously, so this sensitive data is handled exclusively by a PCI Compliant payment processor.

How do I make my gift on Jacket Giving Day?

There’s more than one way to make a gift to support Jacket Giving Day.

Click here to make your gift online.

Mail your check to:

MSU Billings Foundation
Attn: Jacket Giving Day
1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59101

Please note “Jacket Giving Day” and the project you wish to support on your memo line.

Can I make a gift with stocks or securities for Jacket Giving Day?

Yes! Please call 406-657-2931 or email info@msubfoundation.com to let us know so we can count your gift. Remember to mention Jacket Giving Day.

Can I make a gift through a donor-advised fund (DAF)?

Yes! To make a distribution to MSU Billings through your DAF, contact your financial institution and include “Jacket Giving Day” along with your gift designation. Email info@msubfoundation.com to let us know so we can count your support towards our goal.

Can my employer match my gift?

Yes! Many companies offer a matching gift plan that doubles, triples, or even quadruples your impact to encourage philanthropy among employees and their spouses. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, enter your employer’s name below:

If your company is eligible, consult your employer’s HR department to request a corporate matching gift form or use the links provided in the search results (if available). Then send the completed form with your gift to the MSU Billings Foundation using the information below. We will do the rest.

MSU Billings Foundation
Attention: Corporate Matching Gift
1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59101-0245

For more information, please contact Vice President of Finance Jon Egeland.

Can I make my gift before or after ‘Jacket Giving Day?

Absolutely!  Click here and follow the prompts to donate online or call 406-657-2244.  You can also mail your check to:

MSU Billings Foundation
Attn: Jacket Giving Day
1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59101

Please note “’Jacket Giving Day” and the project you wish to support on your memo line.

What Groups Can ‘Jacket Giving Day Donors Support?

Projects vary from year to year, so watch for press releases, follow our social media channels, or check back here to learn about the next JDG drive.

Is there a minimum donation amount?

$5 is the minimum donation online – however all gifts matter and there is no minimum gift on any in-person gift.

Will I receive a receipt for my contribution?

Yes! The Montana State University Billings Foundation will send you a confirmation via email tax receipt shortly after you make your gift (online only), all offline gifts will receive a paper tax receipt in the mail. All philanthropic contributions to Jacket Giving Day through the MSUB Foundation are tax-deductible as prescribed by law.  If you do give an online gift and still prefer a physical paper tax receipt please let us know!

What else can I do to support Jacket Giving Day?

There are many ways to show your support during Jacket Giving Day!

  • Share your ‘Jacket Pride on social media using the tools on each campaign page
  • Text co-workers, friends, and family to support Jacket Giving Day
  • Ask your co-workers, friends, and family to support Jacket Giving Day.

I still have questions.  How can I get in touch for more information?

Please call Nick Schmidt at 406.657.2253 or email nick.schmidt@msubfoundation.com