Decade-long community effort reaches goal; access to higher education expanded
MSU BILLINGS FOUNDATION NEWS — The Montana State University Billings Foundation announced this month that the Wine & Food Festival 100th Anniversary Endowment has reached its $100,000 fundraising goal. A resilient effort that took a decade, the endowment effort is a testament to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers and community partners.
The endowment was established in 2016, when the Wine & Food Festival Steering Committee began brainstorming ways to mark the university’s upcoming 100th anniversary. The committee determined that all proceeds from the festival’s popular “Heads or Tails” coin flip game would be earmarked for a dedicated scholarship endowment, with a target of $100,000 by 2027. The goal has now been met, just in time for MSU Billings’ centennial celebration in 2027.
“This is a monumental accomplishment,” said Kay Berry, alumna and former Wine & Food Festival Co-Chair. “The thousands of volunteers, generous sponsors, donors and guests who gave their time and energy to this festival over the years deserve all the credit for making this possible.”
The “Heads or Tails” game became a signature gala-night tradition at the Wine & Food Festival, offering guests who might not participate in the silent or live auction a fun and accessible way to support student scholarships at MSU Billings. What made the festival and this achievement possible was the remarkable collaboration between the MSU Billings Foundation, 300-400 committed volunteers each year, and engaged community stakeholders. That spirit of partnership has been central to the festival’s ongoing success.
The Wine & Food Festival 100th Anniversary Endowment will make higher education more accessible to all students at MSUB. As the university approaches its centennial year in 2027, this endowment represents a legacy of community investment in the next generation of students.
“The most effective way this festival can impact lives is through scholarships, and reaching this milestone is something we should all be incredibly proud of,” said Krista Montague, CEO of the MSU Billings Foundation & Alumni. “This accomplishment is a powerful reflection of our community’s commitment to supporting MSUB students and making higher education accessible to all.”
The Wine & Food Festival will celebrate its 35th annual event on April 15 and 16, 2027, which is 100 years after Eastern Montana Normal School – the forerunner of MSU Billings – was established and funded by the Montana Legislature. In the last three years alone, the festival has raised more than $2 million for MSUB students and programs, a testament to the enduring generosity of the Billings community.
For more information about the Wine & Food Festival 100th Anniversary Endowment or the MSU Billings Foundation, please contact Luca Battistotti.
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Luca Battistotti, MSU Billings Foundation & Alumni | 406-657-2246; Dan Carter, MSU Billings Communications | 406-657-2243 | 406-413-8924 (cell)