Anonymous Donor Offers $53,000 Match for Planetarium
A matching gift challenge aims to fund a new projector and system upgrade at the University of Montana Planetarium.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Would you donate to support a local community institution like the planetarium?
The University of Montana Planetarium's projector failed after about 12 years of live shows, prompting a fundraising campaign. An anonymous donor has offered a $53,000 matching gift toward a $117,000 goal for the projector and system upgrade.
Why it matters
The planetarium has provided field trips to local schoolkids for over a decade and hosts public shows on Friday evenings, so the failed projector interrupts services used by Missoula residents. Matching gifts can multiply smaller community contributions toward the full replacement cost.
The campaign raised over $11,000 from 78 donors, short of the $53,000 needed to unlock the anonymous match and reach the $117,000 goal. Whether the remaining funds will be raised by the Friday target is not yet known.
The players
University of Montana Planetarium
The university facility in the basement of the Payne Family Native American Center offers public shows on Friday evenings and has served local schools for over a decade.
Missoulian
The Missoula newspaper published the Oct. 23 article that brought the planetarium's donation request to the attention of the anonymous donor.
The details
The planetarium, located in the basement of the Payne Family Native American Center on the UM Oval, was built in 2014 and last upgraded in 2019. The anonymous donor learned of the project through an Oct. 23 Missoulian article, and donations will be doubled when the challenge is met, so a $25 gift becomes $50.
Timeline
2014: Planetarium built in the Payne Family Native American Center basement.
2019: Planetarium last upgraded.
Oct. 23: Missoulian article about the planetarium's donation request published.
Friday: The planetarium aims to raise the full $53,000 match by this date.
Season Trajectory
Public university planetariums across the country have increasingly relied on crowdfunding and matching gifts to replace aging projection systems. This campaign follows that pattern, with the planetarium's full goal combining community donations and a single large matching commitment.
Missoula residents who attend Friday evening public shows or bring local school groups to the planetarium depend on the projector being restored. Donations made before the match deadline are doubled, so a gift of any size goes further toward the upgrade.
The takeaway
Matching gifts can double the impact of smaller donations, so contributing before the challenge deadline helps the planetarium reach its goal faster. Community support for local science and education venues keeps public programs accessible.
What happens next
The planetarium aims to raise the full $53,000 match by Friday, after which the $117,000 goal would fully fund the new projector and system upgrade.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in Philanthropy coverage.
More information
Learn how to contribute on the UM Planetarium fundraiser information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Independent Record.
Live Poll
Would you donate to support a local community institution like the planetarium?
