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MISSOULA - The Missoula non-profit Montana Auto Technologies is acting as a blue print for other states when it comes to developing programs to teach auto mechanics to the community.

But getting funding hasn't been easy. "This is our fifth year, and to date we haven't gotten one dime from the state, unfortunately for Montana, we are being funded by the Collectors Foundation out of Michigan" commented M.A.T. President Alan Alt.

Montana Auto Tech teaches auto mechanic skills to Missoula County Public School students and others in the community through programs with Work Force Development and graduates of the program are often placed in jobs.

Alt knew his non-profit was serving a community need, but he also knew the program needed funding to survive. The Collectors Foundation said if Alt could raise $5,000 on his own, they'd match that.

After a few months, Alt raised the money and came back with a second proposal.

"Here's the results. Could we have $45,000? My board was so impressed with what he had put together so quickly, they unhesitatingly said ‘yes' and so began our support of that project" explained Collectors Foundation Executive Director Bob Knechel.

Montana Auto Tech has added half a dozen other programs to their list.