Stockman Bank Adds $15,000 to Montana's Growing History Education Fund
The ribbon-cutting at Stockman Bank's newest Helena branch came with a bonus on February 12 — a $15,000 check for the Montana Historical Society's History and Civics Education Endowment, the fund that puts Montana kids on buses to Helena for field trips to the Montana Heritage Center and State Capitol.
It's not Stockman's first investment in the Historical Society. The bank previously contributed $100,000 toward construction of the Heritage Center itself, which opened its doors recently after years of anticipation.
"Our roots are based in Montana and history is very important to us," said Bill Coffee, the bank's CEO. "We value learning from the past to focus on the future."
The endowment works simply: Montana schools apply for grants that cover the cost of traveling to Helena, where students get guided tours of both the Capitol Building and the Heritage Center's museum galleries. Historical Society staff coordinate with teachers to shape the visits around classroom learning, turning a day trip into something that sticks.
The program started sending schools to Helena in January, and dozens have already made the trip, with a packed schedule running through spring. Applications for the next round open again in the fall.
Darby Bramble, education officer with the Historical Society, said Stockman's gift moves the needle on a larger goal. "Their support brings us closer to our vision of making these transformative educational experiences available to all Montana students, regardless of their school's location or resources," she said.
That larger goal is substantial — $10 million to make the endowment self-sustaining and ensure students from every corner of the state can access it. So far, about $3.5 million has been raised, meaning there's a long road ahead. But with field trips already rolling and corporate partners like Stockman writing checks at branch openings, the momentum is real.
Schools interested in applying or donors looking to contribute can find details at mths.mt.gov/joingive/, or reach Bramble directly at [email protected] or 406-444-2412.
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