About Us

Our Profile

Since 1965, the Wichita State University Foundation has been dedicated to achieving the vision of then-President Emory Lindquist to provide "the great difference between a university and a university of excellence.”

Our Mission

The WSU Foundation strives to enhance a community of learning excellence for our students and faculty through philanthropy and stewardship.

Our Core Values

Location

Mailing Address:

• 1845 Fairmount St., Campus Box 2 Wichita, KS 67260-0002

Physical Address:

• Woodman Alumni Center: 4205 E. 21st St., Wichita, KS 67208

Phone:

• 316-978-3040 Fax: 316-978-3277

Directions:

• The WSU Foundation is located in the Woodman Alumni Center on the Wichita State main campus and shares a parking lot with the Marcus Welcome Center. The one-story building is east of the Eck Stadium just off of Mike Oatman Drive from 21st Street.

Map:

Leadership Team


Elizabeth King	Mike Lamb	Keith Pickus	Susan Barrett
President & CEO	Vice President	Vice President	Vice President of Finance


Elizabeth King	Susan Barrett
President & CEO	Vice President for Finance and Operations


Mike Lamb	Keith Pickus
Vice President	Vice President

Board of Directors

The WSU Foundation Board is vested with full control of all of the assets, affairs and business of the corporation.

21 members | 10.5% of members live outside the greater Wichita area

Board Chair: Debbie Haynes
Board Chair-elect: Dan Peare

National Advisory Council

Members are dedicated to promoting the interests of WSU and the WSU Foundation. The NAC meets twice a year, in April and September.

118 members includes 4 emeritus members | 36% of members live outside the greater Wichita area

Endowment & Giving

Core Values Scholarship

The WSU Foundation is proud to partner with the Student Ambassador Society to offer the Core Values Scholarship each year to a student who exemplifies the Foundation’s core values of integrity, relationships, teamwork and service. This award program, which is funded entirely by the contributions of WSU Foundation employees, gives our staff a chance to experience the organization’s mission first-hand by getting to know scholarship recipients and better understand their challenges, goals and college experience. Our partnership with the Student Ambassador Society is a mutually beneficial relationship, one that provides us with the opportunity to see philanthropy in action while getting to know a group of remarkable Shockers.

Fundraising Priorities

• New home of the W. Frank Barton School of Business
• Chairs and professorships

Our History

Who We Are

In today's world, as higher education is pressed to do more with less, we appreciate your support of the WSU Foundation. We exist only because of you. Your donations to the Foundation help us meet the pressing needs of Wichita State students, whether that donation goes to the Annual Fund for Excellence, is a major outright gift or is a planned gift. Because of you, more than 1,000 students receive scholarships each year from about 1,100 endowed funds and 500 current funds. Your support for professorships and chairs provides faculty with the ability to contribute their talents and knowledge to important research while mentoring and educating our students. Support of the Annual Fund for Excellence provides the deans of each school, college and library with funds they may use at their discretion to enhance learning. We believe WSU students can achieve their dreams and change the world, thanks to you.

History of Giving: Then & Now

Wichita State University Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Gifts to the Foundation support the advancement of Wichita State University, according to the wishes of our donors. They are tax-deductible.

History of Leaders

The Foundation was established on April 6, 1965, as the Wichita State University Endowment Association. The name changed to WSU Foundation in 2000. Leadership has played a critical role in the Foundation’s growth and success.

The first officers presiding over the association were Dwane L. Wallace, president; Olive W. Garvey, first vice president; Woodrow M. Champion, second vice president; Carl K. Suderman, third vice president; Gordon W. Evans, secretary; and Arthur W. Kincade, treasurer.

Today we have more than 40 employees who are committed to making a difference by helping connect students and University needs with alumni who have a passion for giving back.

Our Timeline

Our progress would not be possible without the generous support of alumni, corporate partners and friends of Wichita State University. This timeline lists some of the major funding projects and points of interest for the WSU Foundation over the past few decades.


	WSU Endowment Association established Endowment giving clubs established Student scholarships established

	First President's Club Celebration Fairmount Towers Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art Outdoor sculpture collection

	Heskett Center Eck Stadium Devlin Hall Elliott Hall Wiedemann Hall Hubbard Hall Wallace Hall Woodman Alumni Center

	National Institute for Aviation Research Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex C. Howard Wilkins Softball Facility

	Name Change to WSU Foundation Marcus Welcome Center Charles Koch Arena Donald L. Beggs Hall Bombardier Learjet Practice Facility

	Advanced Education in General Dentistry Building Experiential Engineering Building 2013-2020

FAQ

Who are we?

The WSU Foundation was formed in 1965 as the fundraising arm for Wichita State University. The Foundation is a separate 501c3 nonprofit corporation chartered by the state of Kansas. Gifts supporting Wichita State flow through the WSU Foundation and are used according to the donor’s wishes. Gifts are tax deductible to the full extent as governed by Section 170b of the IRS code.

Why is private support important?

WSU is a state-assisted public university with 48.8 percent support from the state. The remainder comes from these sources: tuition, auxiliary services, grants and contracts, and private philanthropic support through the WSU Foundation. Private support becomes more critical each year.

What happens once a gift is contributed to the WSU Foundation?

The gift will be placed in an existing fund or a new fund will be created, depending upon the donor’s designation. One type of fund is called current and may be spent entirely. The other type of fund is an endowed fund, which is invested so it will exist in perpetuity. A portion of earnings from endowed funds are distributed annually to the designated university recipients.

How are WSU Foundation’s fundraising priorities determined?

Each college is assigned at least one development staff member who discusses priorities with the college dean. Deans present their priorities to the WSU Foundation’s leadership team. Next, the Foundation’s president and CEO meets with the WSU provost to determine which priorities will be emphasized during the coming year, as we seek private support.

Are any fees assessed on the gift?

As an independent organization that receives no public funds, the WSU Foundation assesses fees to support the essential work of advancing Wichita State. The WSU Foundation’s fee structure is periodically reviewed and approved by its Board of Directors. Currently, the WSU Foundation has three distinct fees.

Endowment Administrative Fee:

On July 1 of each year, all endowed funds are charged a 1.65 percent fee that is based on a 20-quarter rolling average of the market value.
Liquidation Fee:

The WSU Foundation assesses a 5 percent liquidation fee on estate gifts.
Foundation Fee:

A one-time fee of 5 percent is assessed on capital building and capital equipment gifts. A one-time fee of 5 percent also is assessed on all incoming gifts, including endowments. For example, for a gift of $1,000, $50 goes to the WSU Foundation for operating costs and $950 goes to the purpose designated by the donor. Using this same example, if the donor wanted the full $1,000 to go to the designated purpose, he/she could donate an additional $50 (in addition to the $1,000) to cover the 5 percent fee.

Who governs the WSU Foundation?

A volunteer board of directors governs the Foundation. Currently, we have a 21-member board that meets quarterly. Members are elected and authorized to act on behalf of the National Advisory Council, a group of about 118 alumni and friends who promote Wichita State University and help guide the work of the WSU Foundation.

How does the WSU Foundation differ from the WSU Alumni Association?

The WSU Foundation and the WSU Alumni Association are separate 501c3 nonprofit corporations. Both exist to serve the university. The focus of the Foundation is to raise philanthropic funds to support the educational endeavors of Wichita State and all related or beneficial activities. The Foundation works closely with the Alumni Association, but we have separate missions. The mission of the Alumni Association is to create, maintain and enhance relationships with alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends to foster loyalty and support for the university and for one another.

Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

Come work with us! Our team is made up of experts in their fields coming together towards one common mission of enhancing a community of learning excellence for students and faculty through philanthropy and stewardship. Whether you work in major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, finance, events, stewardship, prospect research, IT, grants or marketing, your work is valued by Wichita State University students, faculty and staff.

WSU Foundation offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits while supporting professional growth. Plus, you’ll love coming to work in our dynamic, team supportive and friendly atmosphere where you can positively impact thousands of students each year.

Job Opportunities

Annual Student Fund Callers

Campus Faculty and Staff Resources

We are excited to provide university faculty and staff with a variety of resources after receiving feedback from our campus satisfaction survey. Below you will find links to our deposit slip/receipt form, a gift-in-kind acceptance form, a blank requisition form and our cash disbursements policy.

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