Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

1. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
3. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
6. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

In line with nonprofits, charitable organizations, colleges, universities, and the majority of our peer institutions who fundraise, Colorado State University assesses an Advancement Investment Fee on gifts. The Advancement Investment Fee (5% as of July 1, 2016) is one of many revenue streams used to sustain and stabilize the University’s fundraising efforts to bring in charitable dollars to invest in students, programs, faculty, research, and facilities. The Advancement Investment Fee is applied monthly to CSU faculty and staff payroll deduction gifts.

The Advancement Investment Fee is applied to each gift according to the following tiered structure (maximum $400,000 as of July 1, 2016):

* 5% on the first $5 million
* 3% on the next $5 million
* 0% on the portion of the gift that exceeds $10 million

For more information on the Advancement Investment Fee, contact us at (970) 491-7774.

The Advancement Investment Fee does not affect the deductibility of your gift. Donors receive a gift receipt for the full amount of their gift.

The Advancement Investment Fee supports the philanthropic initiatives at Colorado State University. As state support for higher education continues to diminish, charitable giving becomes even more crucial to sustain CSU as a vital, thriving institution. University Advancement, which is responsible for CSU’s fundraising activities, maintains an efficient operation and remains a key investment for the University.

Absolutely! Colorado State University believes you should be able to support what matters most to YOU. With more than 1,000 funds available, there is a designation likely to match your philanthropic passion. If you aren’t sure where to begin, please call or e-mail us at (970) 491-7774 or email [email protected]. We would be happy to learn more about your philanthropic passions.

Anytime! Our annual giving days – Rams Rise in the Spring and Giving Tuesday in the late fall – are fun times to get involved. To take advantage of tax benefits, your gift must be made by the end of the calendar year. Please consult a financial adviser if you are considering the tax advantages of making a gift to CSU.

Most definitely, yes! Gifts of all sizes support our students and advance the work of CSU!

Yes. You can authorize your credit card to be automatically charged on an ongoing or limited basis. This is also possible via ACH transfers through a checking or savings account.

What is a donor community? How do I join?

Colorado State University’s donor communities honor and recognize donors for their continued support of CSU’s mission and vision.

Women and Philanthropy
Recognizes donors who contribute $50 or more during one calendar year.

1870 Club
Recognizes donors who contribute $1,870 or more during one calendar year.

Frontier Legacy Society
Recognizes alumni and friends who have invested in the University’s future through a planned gift.

Membership in the CSU Alumni Association are considered gifts to CSU.

For additional details on membership benefits contact the CSU Alumni Association at (970) 491-6533 or visit their membership website.

An endowment is a type of invested asset that is designed to generate positive returns and grow in perpetuity. Each year, a percentage of the overall endowment value can be used for the intended purpose of the fund, thus providing permanent support for the area of campus designated buy the donor. If you have questions about supporting an existing endowment or establishing a new one, please contact us at (970) 491-7774.

Scholarships are a wonderful way to support our campus community. If you’d like to create a scholarship, please contact us at (970) 491-7774 or visit our scholarships website.

Yes. Donors often make gift pledges that can be paid over a period of time. We are here to assist you in
determining if a pledge is the best option for you and to help you with the process.

If you’ve made your gift online, you will receive an official e-mail receipt from the CSU Foundation when your gift has been processed (usually 1-2 business days). If you prefer to receive a printed receipt, please allow 2-4 business days.

That depends on the nature of your gift. Most gifts are at least partially deductible. If you receive any goods or services in return for your gift, such as auction items or tickets, the fair-market value of those items is not tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor to determine the tax-deductibility of your gift.

To obtain a duplicate copy of your tax receipt, please contact us at (970) 491-7774 or  [email protected].