Philanthropy

Wildcat Conversations: Campus, Community Leaders on What’s Working to Address Student Housing Insecurity

In a new episode of Wildcat Conversations, we talk with leaders at the University's Basic Need’s Rapid Re-housing Program, a leader in the CSU for its comprehensive support of students who need safe housing.

President’s Column: Thank You, Wildcats

This year, on March 6, more than 3,900 University students, staff, faculty, friends, alumni, and supporters came together to raise more than $1.2 million for Chico State—in just one day!

Chico State’s Annual Giving Day Returns on March 6

Chico State's annual 24-hour fundraising event, Giving Day, is scheduled for March 6, 2026. Donors can support more than 160 groups and programs.

Fond Farewell: Anthropology Professor Emerita and Museum Benefactor Valene L. Smith

Valene L. Smith was a world traveler, internationally renowned tourism expert, beloved professor, and esteemed benefactor and champion for the campus anthropology museum that today bears her name.

Community Support Drives Camp Fire Survivor and Anthropology Major to Give Back

Artist, anthropology major, and Camp Fire survivor Kate Minderhoud credits two scholarships for helping make her college dreams come true. Next step: grad school.

Applegate’s Exceptional Print Collection on Display at the Turner

Members of the public are invited to the opening reception on September 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the ARTS Building.

University Foundation Board of Governors Announces Gayle E. Hutchinson Presidential Award for Excellence

The $100,000 award—the largest of its kind in the California State University—will be presented biannually to a faculty member who exemplify innovation and vision.

Social Work Alumna Finds Way to Give Back

School social worker and therapist Bekah Qualls creates a generous legacy for those following in her footsteps.

Meriam Library Secures $1 Million Planned Gift to Support Its Amenities, Facilities and Opportunities for Decades to Come

An anonymous donor has gifted $1 million to the library in recognition of its role in supporting students throughout the duration of their college experience.

Chico State Receives Transformational Gift to Support New College of Business Building

Alum Jon Krabbenschmidt (Business Administration, ’76) wants to see Glenn Hall become a state-of-the-art building for business students—and he is committing a pair of $5 million toward its construction.

Students Embrace Trip to UAE as Moment of Cultural Education, Community

A donor-funded trip to study adapted physical education and communication disorders was both educational and rewarding.

Introducing Delaney Sarantopulos: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

A "roll-of-the-dice" decision to attend Chico State came up aces for Delaney Sarantopulos and the University, which has benefited greatly from her service-based leadership.

Introducing Chloe Koschnick: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Whether advocating for inclusivity and accessibility in STEM or living her values through community service in education and with animals, computer science major Chloe Koschnick approaches all she does with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Introducing Peyton Arnold: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Peyton Arnold has studied the impacts of feeding cover crops to livestock and served as vice president of the Chico State Sheep Association, but she's most passionate about poultry.

Introducing Kristen Chatham: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Business administration and marketing double major Kristen Chatham aspires to become an officer at a corporation after she graduates.

School of Education Launches Mobile Classroom Project

The SOE's newly retrofitted classroom on-the-go RV makes its first trip into the community.

Professor Pens Wildfire Playbook to Guide Community Preparedness

Lindsey Nenadal spent two years leading the development and publication of a 'Wildfire Playbook' that is now available for download.

Concrete Industry Management Students Take the Lead on Community Service Project

Students from Chico State’s Concrete Industry Management program have managed the construction of a new parking lot at the Chico Islamic Center.

Basket Brigade One of Many Opportunities To Volunteer This Month

Wednesday night's Basket Brigade is one of many opportunities to pitch in and make a difference in the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving.

Ahart Herbarium Rooted in Goal to Study Plants Over Time

Boasting more than 125,000 dried and mounted specimens, the University’s Ahart Herbarium is the most complete repository of plant specimens from northeastern California and its collection is now available to naturalists around the globe.

Alumni Establish Endowment for Men’s and Women’s Rugby Programs

Chico State alumni have established an endowment to support the men's and women's rugby programs.

Twelve Students Awarded Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarships

The award—one of the largest and most prestigious at Chico State—celebrates scholarship, extracurricular activities, and outstanding academic and professional accomplishments.

Seeding the Future: Center for Regenerative Agriculture Receives $1 Million Gift

Looking to improve communities one at a time, Bruce Burnworth discovered Chico State's Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems—and found it worthy of a $1 million donation.

Tomorrow Transformed

Thanks to the generous support of its benefactors, Chico State's first comprehensive capital campaign raised $106.6 million, transforming lives across campus.

Investor Sheds Light on Lyme with Nonprofit

As co-founder and chair of the LymeLight Foundation, Scott Bedford ('82) strives to provide financial assistance to individuals with Lyme disease.

Camp Fire Scholarship Recipient Pays It Forward

After losing his home in the Camp Fire, Chase Suihkonen embraced the opportunity to attend Chico State so he could further his education while staying close to home to help his community recover.

Alumna Bikes Across America to Raise Funds for K–12 Physical Education

Christine Wilhoyte (Exercise Physiology, '21) is biking 5,600 miles across the United States to raise funds for physical education in rural and underfunded schools.

Land Donation Doubles Size of BCCER, Now CSU’s Largest Ecological Reserve

Chico State's BCCER received an anonymous land donation—doubling its size and making it one of the largest college- or university-operated reserves in the entire state.

Alumna Goes the Extra Mile for Today’s Teachers

Melaine Taylor wants to ensure tomorrow's future educators have the tools they need to succeed at Chico State, in hopes it will further their passion in the profession.

A Degree of Determination

Every year, students drop out of the education system for various reasons. It takes a special kind of grit to return and finish their degree. Meet four students who refuse to give up.

Engineering Strikes Creative Chord For Musician

In his youth, Anthony McKinney chose his rock band over education and became addicted to drugs. Once sober, he struggled through school until discovering engineering—and now is graduating as a double major.

Son’s Struggle Drives Mother to Study Communication Science

Once wondering if she belonged in college at all, communication sciences and disorders major Chantel Bebee quickly thrived and became a mentor to her classmates.

Accounting Major Counts on Finishing What He Started

From losing his home in the Camp Fire to his father's unexpected death, accounting major Brandon Wright has endured significant setbacks—but he refuses to give up.

Sociology Major Committed to Breaking Negative Family Cycles

Growing up in a household where abuse and addiction were the norm, sociology major Irene Echavarria has her focus on improving her family's trajectory through education.

School of Social Work Shares Gifts of Gratitude with Community Partners

With support from a North Valley Community Foundation COVID-19 relief grant, the School of Social Work purchased self-care gifts for area social workers who have supported students' education during the pandemic.

One Day, Dozens of Worthy Causes, Lives Forever Changed: CSU, Chico’s Giving Day

Chico State will host its Giving Day, the fourth annual 24-hour fundraising effort to benefit dozens of campus causes, from scholarships and student success centers to Wildcat Athletics and basic needs.

Eleven Students Awarded Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarships

The award—one of the largest and most prestigious at Chico State—celebrates scholarship, extracurricular activities, and outstanding academic and professional accomplishments.

Challenge Grant Program Embraced as Opportunity to Further Gifts’ Impact

By offering a 20 percent matching grant to new endowments, the University Foundation Board of Governors is raising funds to support areas across campus, with potential to raise more than $6 million.

Family of Professor Emeritus Gifts $1 Million for Educational Programming at Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

The Dempsey family has donated $1 million to the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve—the largest cash gift in its history—for educational programming.

Retired Faculty Support Student Success with Estate Gift

With a goal to support their disciplines and students for decades to come, two professors emeriti have designated Chico State as the beneficiary of their estate.