Lasting Impact

CSU Endowments

Endowments ensure a bright future for CSU.

Endowments provide both immediate and lasting benefits for our campus community. Each year, individual endowment funds are wisely and strategically invested 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!

This page outlines information on how endowments work, funding minimums and yearly payout details, and the CSU Foundation’s annual endowment report, which outlines how we steward your endowment to achieve stable, long-term growth and impact.

Endowment Resources

This graphic shows the following steps in the endowment process. First, contributions go toward the endowment balance after which investment returns occur. These returns go toward any fees and annual payouts for fund purposes. The latter then is used for reinvested returns which go to the main endowment balance.
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$50,000 Endowment Minimum

The minimum funding level for an endowment is determined by the endowment’s intended purpose and function and begins at $50,000. The minimum funding can be pledged over five years. In order to make a more immediate impact, donors to pending endowments often make an annual gift to fund their passion areas.

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4.0% Annual Payout

The annual payout is determined using the average daily balance of an endowment’s fair market value over the prior 3 calendar years, ending 12/31. Payouts from endowments less than 3 years old are determined using the ADB of the endowment’s FMV over the prior 1 or 2 calendar years, ending 12/31, as appropriate based on the endowment’s open date.

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12/31 Deadline

In order for an endowment to payout the following August, new endowments must be fully funded by December 31.

For more information about endowment minimums, please contact us at [email protected] or (970) 491-7135. Learn more about CSU gift policies here.

“Growing up in the small, rural town of Ignacio, Colorado, my family didn’t have much, but we had each other. They taught me the value of hard work, determination, and staying true to my roots. Through your scholarship support, you are investing in my entire family and community. Thank you!”

Mia Carrillo, journalism and media communication student

“Education transformed our lives. We were able to do things for our daughters and for ourselves because of higher education. We just thought it was important to try to help others who are going through that same education process, because we know that it can be transformative.”

John (M.A., ’88; Ph.D., ‘09) and Julie (B.A., ‘78) Karbula, CSU alumni and endowed scholarship donors

“I have heartfelt appreciation for the generosity of our donors. The endowed fellowships bring us wonderful students, the endowed chairs and professorships help us develop and maintain a world-class faculty in chemistry, and the endowed lectures and symposia let CSU shine in the chemistry community.”

Matthew Shores, professor and chemistry chair

Annual Endowment Reporting

The fiscal year for Colorado State University and the CSU Foundation runs from July 1 – June 30. After the financials from the year are audited and approved, each endowment stewardee will receive the annual endowment report, which includes information about their specific endowment, along with performance details of CSU’s overall endowment. Reports are delivered ~ Nov. 1.

If you need assistance accessing this report or would like to request an individual endowment report, please contact us.

Cover image of 2026 endowment report
2026 Endowment Report