Foundation

Mission

The Chicago State Foundation is the official nonprofit organization established to raise, manage, and steward private support for Chicago State University. The Foundation advances the University's mission by cultivating philanthropic investments that expand opportunities for students and strengthen institutional excellence.

Working in close partnership with the University President and campus leadership, the Foundation engages alumni, corporations, foundations, and individual donors to secure resources aligned with the University's strategic priorities. The Foundation also manages charitable assets, ensures responsible stewardship of donor investments, and raises awareness of the University's impact and vision.

Through fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic partnerships, the Foundation provides critical support for scholarships, student success initiatives, academic programs, and other priorities that enhance educational access, student achievement, and the long-term success of Chicago State University.

Work

The Chicago State Foundation secures and stewards private philanthropic support that advances the mission and strategic priorities of Chicago State University. Through partnerships with alumni, corporations, foundations, and individual donors, the Foundation raises resources that expand educational access, promote student success, strengthen academic excellence, and invest in the University's future.

The Foundation provides support for scholarships, student success initiatives, faculty and academic programs, research, capital projects, and other priorities identified by University leadership. It also manages charitable assets, ensures responsible stewardship of donor investments, and fosters meaningful engagement with alumni, volunteers, and community partners. Housed within the Chicago State Foundation, the Office of Alumni Affairs strengthens lifelong connections between alumni and the University through networking, volunteerism, mentoring, professional development, and campus events. Together, these efforts cultivate a community of supporters who help create transformative opportunities for current and future Chicago State students.

Inquiries

The Chicago State Foundation serves a wide range of constituents, including alumni, donors, prospective donors, corporations, foundations, community partners, students, faculty, staff, and volunteers. Individuals and organizations engage with the Foundation to make charitable gifts, establish scholarships or endowments, support University priorities, explore partnership opportunities, participate in events, or reconnect with Chicago State University through alumni engagement.

External inquiries may be submitted by phone, email, through the Foundation's website, or by meeting directly with a member of the Foundation staff. The Foundation provides guidance on charitable giving, corporate and foundation partnerships, planned giving, donor-advised funds, sponsorship opportunities, and other philanthropic initiatives.

Chicago State University faculty and staff seeking Foundation support for a University initiative or funding opportunity should begin by completing the Project Information Form. This internal request process helps the Foundation understand the project's goals, funding needs, timeline, and alignment with University priorities so that potential philanthropic opportunities can be evaluated and appropriate next steps identified.

The Foundation is committed to providing responsive, personalized service. Most inquiries receive an initial response within one to two business days, with timelines for completion varying based on the complexity of the request. Throughout each engagement, Foundation staff work to ensure clear communication, timely follow-up, and exceptional stewardship of donors and partners.

For Chicago State University faculty and staff, the Project Information Form is available here: Project Information Form.

Make a Gift Today

Support Chicago State University by making a secure online gift to the area that matters most to you. Every philanthropic investment helps expand opportunities for students and strengthens the University's mission.

Prefer to give by mail?

Chicago State Foundation

9501 S. King Dr. ADM 126

Chicago, IL 60628

For questions about planned giving, gifts of securities, matching gifts, donor-advised funds, or other giving opportunities, please contact the Foundation at (773) 995-5300.

Explore Ways to Get Involved

Whether you are an alumnus, donor, corporate partner, foundation representative, or community member, we invite you to connect with the Chicago State Foundation. Learn about giving opportunities, establish a scholarship or endowment, explore corporate or foundation partnerships, attend Foundation events, or discover meaningful ways to support Chicago State students.

Chicago State Unversity Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff interested in exploring philanthropic support for a University initiative are encouraged to submit a Project Information Form to begin the review process.

Donor Privacy and Preferences

The Chicago State Foundation is committed to protecting the privacy of its donors and respecting their communication and recognition preferences.

The Foundation:

Does not sell, rent, or trade donor names, contact information, or mailing lists with other organizations.
Seeks donor approval before publicly recognizing a donor and confirms the donor’s preferred name and listing.

Provides donors with the option to remain anonymous.
Honors requests from donors who do not wish to receive future solicitations.
Honors requests to discontinue newsletters, promotional materials, or other Foundation communications.
Uses donor information only for purposes related to gift administration, stewardship, recognition, and engagement with Chicago State University.

Donors may update their recognition or communication preferences at any time by contacting the Chicago State Foundation at (773) 995-5300 or foundation@csu.edu.

Donor Bill of Rights

The Chicago State Foundation supports the principles outlined in the Donor Bill of Rights, which promotes transparency, accountability, responsible stewardship, and respectful relationships between donors and charitable organizations.