University Foundation Board Grant Endowment Awards Across Campus

Over $145,000 has been awarded to 18 projects and programs across Chico State to enhance research and mentorship, increase hands-on learning opportunities and support student success through the 2022–23 Governors Awards.

The University Foundation Board of Governors recognized the recipients during its General Session this summer. The top proposals will receive a combined $146,316 in funding and stood out as the ones that exemplified the University’s mission and reputation for student success, student-centered teaching and experiential learning.

“Our Board of Governors established these awards so that they would impact the University and extend beyond its borders as our students graduate and enter the workforce ready and prepared—I am forever grateful for their commitment and dedication,” said Ahmad Boura, vice president for University Advancement and CEO for the University Foundation.

Financial awards were granted to a wide swath of the University’s divisions, from Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to Business and Finance. The Board considered proposals from Chico State faculty, department chairs, advisors, program coordinators and associate deans.

The Governors Awards range from $2,500 to $15,000 and will help support equity and success programs, undergraduate research, student training, education curriculum, experiential learning and environmental infrastructure.

Successful applicants include:

• Annual Women in Business Summit, Student Ambassador Program, Improve for Business Course and Business Bootcamp in the College of Business
• Undergraduate research in the Colleges of Agriculture and Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS)
• Crisis and intervention training, also within the College of BSS
• Math and engineering bootcamp
• Fossils exhibit at Gateway Science Museum and Big Chico Creek Watershed Tour through the College of Natural Science
• Skateboard parking and zero waste infrastructure, supporting resilient and sustainable systems
• Social activities for Promoting Achievement Through Hope (PATH) Scholars and Latinx Equity and Success Program

Eight endowment funds valued at approximately $4 million are the source of the endowment awards. The donors of these gifts to the University have granted the University Foundation board the authority and discretion to make annual distributions from these funds to benefit campus programs.

The guidelines of the awards specify that 60 percent of the awarded funds will support academic programs, 20 percent will build reserve funds for future endowments or board priorities, 10 percent will support student life programs and 10 percent will support projects from the Business and Finance Division.

“In celebrating these awards, we also celebrate the diverse needs, programs and resources that help make the University unique among the CSU campuses, as well as the faculty, staff and students who we are proud to call the Chico State community,” said Chair of the Board of Governors Chuck Nelsen.

The University Foundation is the steward of gifts and endowments for campus. The foundation was organized and incorporated as nonprofit California corporation in 1940, with a mission to support and enhance campus projects and programs. Twenty-five years ago, its function became solely philanthropic.

Proposals for 2022–23 are now being accepted and through November 2022. Campus constituents interested in learning more about the proposal submission process should contact their respective deans or vice president.

Individuals and businesses interested in learning more about how to support student success and other initiatives at Chico State through philanthropy should contact University Advancement at 530-898-3590.