Giving to CU Denver
Thank you for considering support of a scholarship at the University of Colorado Denver. The generosity of donors like you can prove life-changing to students who rely on scholarship awards to pursue their passions at CU Denver and earn their degrees. As a donor to CU Denver, you ignite a partnership in which you provide the resources that help students fulfill their potential while we ensure that your gift is managed responsibly and effectively.
Gifts made to the University of Colorado Denver are managed by the nonprofit University of Colorado Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that works collaboratively with the university to manage and invest private support on behalf of CU Denver.
To make a gift online using your credit card, please visit our giving website.
To make a gift by mail, you will need to download and complete the mail-in pledge form, making sure to specify the purpose of your gift. Please make your check(s) for the donation amount payable to the University of Colorado Foundation.
Please mail the form along with your check(s) to:
University of Colorado Foundation
P.O. Box 561690
Denver, CO 80256-1690
Please mail the form along with your check(s) to:
University of Colorado Foundation
P.O. Box 561690
Denver, CO 80256-1690
To make a gift over the phone using your credit card, please call the number below, and a CU Foundation representative will be happy to accept and process your gift.
(303) 541-1290
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. MT
(303) 541-1290
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. MT
Donating cryptocurrency is easier than ever. A donation of cryptocurrency is a non-taxable event, meaning you do not owe capital gains tax on the appreciated amount and can deduct it from your taxes. This makes Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency donations one of the most tax-efficient ways to support your favorite cause.
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Types of Gifts
Outright Gifts
Outright gifts make up the majority of contributions to CU, and encompass the following gift types: cash, stocks and bonds, real estate, tangible personal property, matching gifts or gifts-in-kind. In general, outright gifts qualify for an immediate income tax deduction.
Endowments
Endowments are gifts that keep on giving and serve as a reliable long-term funding source that supports a designated purpose at CU in perpetuity. The principle amount of an endowed fund is permanently invested by the University of Colorado Foundation in its Long Term Investment Pool (LTIP), generating interest income that is then used to fund the purpose designated by the donor. You may establish a scholarship endowment with a minimum commitment of $25,000, which can be paid over time, up to five years.
Planned Gifts
A planned gift refers to a wide array of customizable giving mechanisms that may blend current and future commitments, maximize tax and estate factors, and optimize your current cash flow or finances. Common planned gift types include:
- Bequests
- Charitable gift annuities
- Charitable remainder trusts
- Real estate
- Retirement accounts
By taking part in this opportunity, you will become a member of the Heritage Society. Learn more at our Gift Planning website or contact Susan Cleveland.
Blended Gifts
A blended gift refers to a gift that includes a current gift combined with any of the planned giving instruments noted above. Blended gifts are attractive to those who wish to make a significant impact on future students through their estate plans while providing near-term support to today’s students.
Giving Societies
CU Denver Loyal
CU Denver Loyal is a recognition program that honors individuals who give consistently over time to the university. Donors who make consecutive annual gifts receive special recognition at milestones ranging from 3 to 30 years.
Donors who reach lifetime giving milestones of $500 and $1,000 also receive special recognition. To express our gratitude, we are very proud to acknowledge Loyal donors with tokens of appreciation specially designed by CU Denver’s creative and talented students and alumni.
Heritage Society
CU welcomes those who have informed the university of their plans for future estate gifts to become members of the CU Heritage Society, a prestigious group of supporters who engage in meaningful ways across the CU campuses. The university is both inspired by and grateful for the legacy gifts that Heritage Society members provide to support CU.
The Heritage Society hosts a luncheon each spring.
Benson Society
The Benson Society recognizes individuals and private/family foundations that donate $1 million or more to the university. The society is named for Bruce Benson, who served as CU president from 2008 to 2017. He and his wife, Marcy, chaired two comprehensive fundraising campaigns for CU, Creating Futures (which exceeded its $1.5 billion goal in 2013) and Beyond Boundaries (which exceeded its $1 billion goal in 2003). The university set fundraising records in each year of Benson’s presidency. Bruce Benson is an alumnus of CU, having earned his geology degree in 1964.
The Benson Society’s signature event is an annual awards and induction ceremony held each spring.
King Soopers Card
Did you know you can support CU Denver students through the shopping you already do every week? When you connect your King Soopers or City Market loyalty card to CU Denver, a percentage of every transaction associated with your card number is donated to the CU Denver Food Pantry Fund.
Milo's Market is CU Denver's free food pantry available to all students.
- Visit kingsoopers.com/signin or citymarket.com/signin
- Sign in if you have an account—or click “Create an Account” and enter your name, email, and password. If you have an existing loyalty card, enter your card number or “Alt ID” (usually a phone number)
- Once logged in, go to the user icon toward the top right corner of the window. From the drop-down menu, click “My Account”
- Scroll the menu options and select “View Community Rewards”
- When prompted to “Find an Organization,” use the search bar to look up either “WS338” or “University of Colorado Denver”
- When the “University of Colorado Denver” option appears, click “Enroll”
CU Foundation Performance
As of June 30, 2025, the Foundation managed over $3.2 billion in assets for the University of Colorado, including over 4,000 current fund accounts and over 3,650 endowment funds. The endowments collectively were valued at $2.5 billion, and the Foundation’s Long Term Investment Pool (LTIP) was valued at $3.0 billion.For the fiscal year ending 2025, the University of Colorado Foundation’s LTIP returned a gain of 10.4% (net of fees). The LTIP’s 3-year annualized investment performance was +8.95%, its 7-year performance was +9.10%, its 10-year performance was +8.63%, and its 15-year performance was +9.16%. See the Investment Update for a current report on the LTIP’s recent investment performance.
For complete financial statements from the CU Foundation, please see the Foundation's website.
Giving Frequently Asked Questions
Will my donation make a difference?
Absolutely. On a personal level. Your gift goes directly to student success—making an immediate impact. Students who are able to focus on their studies instead of their finances are bound to do great things. And like you, they’ll pay it forward later in life. It’s not an understatement to say that your gift can transform lives and communities.
What makes CU Denver students unique?
Over half of our incoming freshman are first-generation college students. Nearly 60% are minorities. They arrive here with an impressive average high school GPA of 3.4. And more than 80% have part-time jobs. CU Denver students want to help their families and communities after they graduate. (Remind you of anyone?)
How will my gift help students?
Our students work hard. Really hard. Your generosity removes financial obstacles to graduation. It also gives students the freedom to channel their energy into internships, volunteering in the community, and conducting research in a field that’s directly related to their degree—all opportunities that add value to an education.
How is scholarship support significant to CU Denver and its alumni?
Scholarships help us attract top students—students who understand the incredible power of a world-class education. Those students also help the university attract and retain the best faculty. As the reputation of CU Denver continues to grow, the value of every degree rises along with it.
CU Denver is a public university. Why does it need private support?
Private support changes the lives of CU Denver students. Your contribution makes an immediate impact on a student’s education and life. Just as important, you’re also boosting initiatives that advance the mission of the University and benefit our local, state, and national communities.
Why should I make a gift now?
The city of Denver is enjoying a historic transition—providing CU Denver with a unique opportunity to elevate our profile. It’s also positioning our students to take advantage of the city’s increased momentum. Scholarships help our students benefit from Denver’s growth, and contribute to it.
How is student success at CU Denver significant to the larger community?
Sixty-seven percent of our alumni stay in Colorado after they graduate, representing a large share of our diverse workforce. This creates a ripple effect, as past students influence the present and future of Denver and the state.
Who else provides Philanthropic support to CU Denver?
Our alumni. Their families. Corporate and community leaders. Faculty and staff. We’re fortunate to enjoy tremendous support from across Denver from those who appreciate the value of a CU Denver education. Our new vitality is making CU Denver a smart choice for your support.