From Our Leaders
from our leaders
Kids’ Chance of Montana grew from the strong roots of the national organization and formed as an IRS Approved 501(c)(3) in 2017. Our mission is to provide education assistance / scholarships to children of Montana workers who have been severely injured or killed on the job.
Kids’ Chance of Montana is governed by an all-Montana, all-volunteer Board of Directors and 100% of our Montana donations go directly to student support.
Here is where our leadership provides their insights to what KCMT is doing for these marvelous children.
Kids' Chance of Montana
Current president - leah Tietz
Letter from the President - March 2023
In its first 5 years, Kids’ Chance of Montana has grown from an idea that outgoing Board President, Peter Van Nice heard at a conference, to a state-wide, all-volunteer organization helping Montana kids pursue their educational and life goals. Kids’ Chance of Montana is grateful for Peter’s initiative and leadership and that he continues to serve on the Kids’ Chance Board.
We sincerely appreciate the individuals and organizations who generously fund Kids’ Chance of Montana scholarships for students who have had a parent killed or severely injured through their work. Together, we are doing great things for Montana! We are especially thrilled that during 2023, Montana State Fund will provide for 5 years up to $30,000 in a dollar-for-dollar donation match! Grants from Kids’ Chance of America and from a Montana benefactor ensures that 100% of all Montana donations go directly to student support.
In 2023, please join us in raising scholarship awareness in your communities and in building our scholarship resources. Let’s make the next 5 years even better! Until there is no need, Kids’ Chance of Montana will strive to provide more scholarship money for more of the Montana kids who experience the hardships that accompany a parent’s work-injury or death.
Appreciatively,
Leah Tietz
Director, MUS Workers’ Compensation
Office of Commissioner of Higher Education
KIDS' CHANCE OF MONTANA
past PRESIDENT - Peter van nice
Moving Forward
A Message from Past President Peter Van Nice January 2023
It has been my great honor and privilege to have served as the first President of Kids’ Chance of Montana. We established Kids’ Chance of Montana in 2017 to provide scholarships to children of Montana workers who had been severely injured or killed on the job. Our small but determined Board of Directors included Michael Marsh from Midland Claims, Keith Brownfield from Victory Insurance, Vicki Evans from Montana Contractors Compensation Fund, Leslae Dalpiaz from Dalpiaz Law Firm, Jason Merkel from Northwestern Energy, and Leah Tietz from the Montana University System. At the end of 2022, after five years at the helm, I had the honor of turning over the leadership of Kids’ Chance of Montana to Leah Tietz.
Since its inception, Kids’ Chance of Montana has raised more than $321,682 in funds and provided more than $144,000 in scholarships and student care packages. To date, we have helped 24 students attend 14 different universities or trade schools and have had several of these wonderful young people graduate from college.
During this time the Board of Directors has also grown to 10 members. The future is bright as I turn over Kids Chance of Montana to Leah Tietz and a great board.
Sincerely,
Peter Van Nice