How to Give
ONLINE
The fastest, most direct way to make your gift to Colorado State University. It’s easy, safe, and convenient.
BY MAIL
Make checks payable to Colorado State University Foundation and send to:
Colorado State University Foundation
P. O. Box 1870
Fort Collins, CO 80522
CREDIT CARD
To give by credit card or wire transfer, contact Colorado State University Foundation at (970) 491-7135 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT, or by e-mail to [email protected].
Make an impact.
Gift Types
Double Your Impact with a Matching Gift
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will double or even triple any charitable contributions made by their employees. If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer, and send it completed and signed with your gift. We will do the rest. Some companies even match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses.


Faculty and Staff Giving
Faculty and staff have the option of giving to CSU through a payroll deduction. Please submit your request to create, modify, or cancel a payroll deduction through our online form. Faculty and staff can request additional giving receipts by submitting a CSU Gift Receipt Request and Modification form.
Leave Your Legacy
Planned gifts can be a significant benefit to you, your family, and Colorado State. Bequests, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts offer donors a variety of ways to support the University.

Pay Your Pledge
You may pay your pledge online, mail a check, or pay in person at 601 S. Howes St., fourth floor, on the CSU campus.

Commemorative Trees and Benches
Pay tribute to someone you love, commemorate a special occasion or celebrate a friend or family member through the gift of a tree or bench in their honor.

More Ways to Give
Securities
The CSU Foundation is happy to accept gifts of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other securities. Some donors may even accrue tax advantages for donating appreciated securities. Please consult with your tax adviser to determine tax-deductibility of your gift.
Gifts are valued based on the average of the high and low prices on the day the securities are received in CSU Foundation accounts or at CSU Foundation offices.
To get started, please contact CSU Foundation. Click here to follow simple steps to ensure a smooth and efficient transaction and to avoid delays in gift recognition.
Real Estate
Donated homes, land, and other types of real estate can help Colorado State University reach its goals.
Gifts-in-Kind
A gift of personal property includes equipment, inventory, books, works of art, or other tangible property. Gifts of personal property are accepted by Colorado State University. Gifts-in-kind will be used to benefit the college, department, or center as designated by the donor.
Acceptance of the gift is based on whether CSU can use the gift in furtherance of its mission. Consideration will be given to the cost of accepting and maintaining the gift as well as costs associated with potential resale of the gift.
Depending upon the donor’s tax circumstances, a charitable deduction may be claimed if the gift is accepted for the University’s tax-exempt purposes. If a donor is going to claim a deduction of more than $5,000, IRS Form 8283 is required.
Endowment
Endowments provide both immediate and lasting benefits for our campus community. Each year, individual endowment funds are invested collectively by the Colorado State University Foundation, and a percentage of the total endowment value is used to fund the donor’s intended purpose, whether it be a scholarship, program, research, or any number of other worthy causes. These types of gifts live on in perpetuity, allowing donors to support their areas of passion long after the initial gift. It’s the gift that keeps giving…forever!
Click here to read more about the types of endowments, overall endowment performance, and the impact of this special type of giving.
Commemorative Gifts
If you have a friend or family member who has been touched by Colorado State University, you are welcome to
make a gift in honor or memory of that individual. This is a thoughtful and meaningful way to recognize the
accomplishments or memory of a colleague, professor, friend, or relative. To designate your gift in honor or in
memory of someone, please indicate their name on the memo line of your check or in the space provided in the
online form. University Advancement notifies the honoree or relative regarding memorial and honorary gifts
whenever contact information is available.
If you wish to include our standard language in an obituary, please consider, “Gifts of remembrance can be sent to
the Colorado State University Foundation at P.O. Box 1870, Fort Collins, CO 80522. Please include in the memo line.”
Commemorative trees and benches are also thoughtful gestures to memorialize or honor someone who has meant
so much. Learn more about commemorative trees and branches here.
Gift Policies
All contributions to Colorado State University are subject to the gift policies in place at the time of the gift. These policies, which are updated at regular intervals with permission from CSU administration, govern how gifts are accepted and processed at Colorado State University.
Commonly asked donation questions and frequently accessed resources are available below. For more detailed information about current gift policies or for all other questions, please contact us at at [email protected] or (970) 491-7774.
For financial statements and IRS forms, please visit the CSU Foundation website: foundation.colostate.edu.
Donor Resources & FAQ
Donor Bill of Rights
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
- To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
- To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
- To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
- To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
- To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
- To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
What is the Advancement Investment Fee on donations?
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.
Does the Advancement Investment Fee affect the tax-deductibility of my donation?
The Advancement Investment Fee does not affect the deductibility of your gift. Donors receive a gift receipt for the full amount of their gift.
How does the Advancement Investment Fee help Colorado State University?
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.
Can I choose what my gift supports?
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.
When is the best time to make my gift?
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.
I can’t make a large donation to CSU. Does my gift even make a difference?
Most definitely, yes! Gifts of all sizes support our students and advance the work of CSU!
Can you charge my credit card on a recurring schedule for my gift?
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?
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.
Are alumni memberships considered gifts to CSU?
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.
What is an endowment?
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.
How do I set up a scholarship?
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.
Can I make my gift in installments?
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.
When will I receive a receipt for my gift?
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.
How much of my gift is tax-deductible?
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.
How do I obtain a copy of my tax receipt?
To obtain a duplicate copy of your tax receipt, please contact us at (970) 491-7774 or [email protected].