Kathleen (Kay) Chafey loves Montana State University and wants to see it thrive. She took advantage of annual gift annuities to support her favorite MSU programs and maximize her benefits from the Montana Endowment Tax Credit (METC).

The METC is a unique opportunity for Montana taxpayers to support their charitable organizations with the incentive of tax credits for giving to qualified endowments. Individuals and businesses can benefit from the tax credit and help bolster endowment funds at Montana State University. Only a few states in the U.S. offer a tax credit like this.

“[The METC] provided tax relief and a way to help the College of Nursing,” Kay shares. “It's a great way to invest savings and stocks in education. Be sure to talk with your CPA or financial advisor about how to maximize your tax credit to benefit your favorite MSU program!"

Kay began her tenure at Montana State University in 1977, serving as assistant dean and professor in the College of Nursing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Arizona State University, a master’s degree in public health nursing and a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of Minnesota. She grew up in a multicultural mining community and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia, which was formative of what would become her legacy.

Kay was a valued campus leader at MSU, serving as associate dean for the College of Nursing, interim dean, assistant provost and interim provost. She has been recognized with multiple teaching and professional awards. She is known as a leader and scholar, serving her university, colleagues and community.

Kay developed the Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) at MSU, nationally known for culturally appropriate and effective support of health professional students. Over the years, CO-OP has nurtured scores of Native American students, most of whom went on to serve tribal communities.

CO-OP was founded in 1999 to expand educational opportunities for Native American students and improve the quality of health care in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. It continues to serve as a supplemental student support program for American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing a nursing degree at Montana State University. CO-OP’s goals are to increase the enrollment of American Indian nursing students in the College of Nursing at MSU and build a strong pool of American Indian and Alaska Native nurses who are prepared for practice, management and leadership to serve Indian Country.

Giving to MSU and to the CO-OP program is important to Kay. To ensure that resources would continue to advance CO-OP, Kay worked with the MSU Alumni Foundation to establish the College of Nursing’s Greatest Need Fund.

“I have served MSU for many years in many capacities,” Kay says. “I love this institution and want to see its programs continue to thrive. I set up the College of Nursing's Greatest Need Fund the year I retired, after 12 years of raising funds to support CO-OP. I know very well that CO-OP requires continuity of funding in order to grow and serve American Indian/Alaska Native communities. The Montana Endowment Tax Credit is a win-win opportunity.”

Kay’s smart use of charitable gift annuities and the METC has ensured that the things most important to her are supported in perpetuity through endowed funds. Endowments are the foundation of this country’s great universities and research centers. Endowed program funds at MSU are and will continue to be an essential resource for the future.

To learn more about supporting endowments at MSU through charitable gift annuities or the Montana Endowment Tax Credit (METC), please contact Kevin Brown at 406-994-4815 or kevin.brown@msuaf.org or visit our planned giving website today.