FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our future depends more than ever on the expertise of Colorado School of Mines graduates, yet the cost of delivering a specialized Mines education continues to grow. In addition, appropriations from the state of Colorado are declining as a percentage of Mines’ total operating budget. Because Mines is committed to keeping tuition and fees at an affordable level, private gifts from alumni and friends are vital to fill the gap.
The ongoing generosity of those connected to Mines allows the school to continue to provide a highly-technical, hands-on education, as well as take advantage of unforeseen opportunities and develop new and innovative academic and research programs.
Plus, the stronger the university, the more valuable a Mines degree!
What is the Colorado School of Mines Foundation?
The Colorado School of Mines Foundation is the official gift-receiving agency for Colorado School of Mines. A tax-exempt entity founded in 1928 and incorporated in 1951, the foundation works to advance public understanding and philanthropic support for Mines’ unique mission. The foundation also holds and professionally manages the Mines endowment.
Annual gifts to The Mines Fund give Colorado School of Mines unrestricted financial support for on-going, day-to-day needs, making an immediate impact on the daily lives of our students and faculty.
The Mines Fund allows the university the flexibility to meet institution-wide needs. Some examples of what The Mines Fund supports include scholarships, library resources, lab equipment, research and new technologies.
An endowment is the principal amount of gifts and bequests that are intact and invested, generating a source of funding for the school in perpetuity. Colorado School of Mines’ endowment was $204 million at June 30, 2012. Over the past 15 years, Mines has seen an average annual return of 10.4% on its endowment. This provides a significant source of funding each year for the school and its students and programs.
Parents are an integral part of the Colorado School of Mines community. In addition to the support they give their Mines student and the financial investment of paying tuition, many generous parents also make annual contributions to The Parents Fund.
Tuition and state funding do not cover the entire cost of a Mines education. Each year, hundreds of parents bridge this gap by making a contribution to The Parents Fund, ensuring that Colorado School of Mines provides the best possible education for their sons and daughters.
Gifts of stock are accepted and very much appreciated. Please visit our page with detailed instructions on making a contribution of securities to Colorado School of Mines.
If you’d like to include Mines in a bequest, please visit our page on making a bequest to Mines. There you will find more detailed information, as well as contact phone numbers and emails.
Absolutely! The designation of your gift to Mines is entirely up to you. Please be sure to indicate which department, program or scholarship fund you wish to support on the memo line of your check or on your gift form. The Colorado School of Mines Foundation will make sure your contribution reaches the proper area.
Yes. The Colorado School of Mines Foundation is a non-profit corporation formed exclusively to support Colorado School of Mines and meets the requirements of section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All gifts made to the foundation are tax-deductible at the highest limits allowed by law.
All checks should be made payable to the CSM Foundation and should be mailed to PO Box 4005 Golden, CO 80402. Be sure we know who should be credited for the gift and to what area on campus it should go.
The Colorado School of Mines Foundation operates on a fiscal year of July 1 – June 30. You may be wondering why some of our materials refer to a “year-end gift” in June. This is why!
You can securely make a gift online using our online giving form. This method is a safe, quick and convenient way to support Mines, and you'll receive a receipt in the mail within five days of making your gift online.
You can join the President’s Council for 2012-2013 by making an annual contribution to Mines in the amount of $1,000 or more. Simply mail in your check or make a gift online between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 to become a member this year.
For more information on the different giving society levels within the President’s Council, please visit our President's Council webpage.
To determine if your company will match your annual gift to Mines, please use our online matching gift search engine.
If your company will in fact match your gift, follow the instructions listed on the search result page. This usually entails getting a matching gift form from your human resources department or on your company’s intranet and mailing it in to us with your gift.
The Colorado School of Mines Foundation understands and respects your desire to remain anonymous. At the time of your contribution, please indicate that you do not wish your name to appear in any of our public recognition materials. You may also call 303.273.3275 with this request.
What is the difference between the Colorado School of Mines Foundation and the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association?
The Colorado School of Mines Foundation promotes the university's mission and enhances its continuing excellence by maximizing support from the private sector and prudently stewarding its resources and relationships. The foundation is the official gift-receiving agency for Colorado School of Mines. All contributions to the foundation directly support students and campus.
The Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association is charged with enriching connections between alumni and Mines through various forms of engagement and promoting Mines’ rich tradition of excellence.
To update your contact information so that Mines can continue to communicate with you, please visit our information update page.
To request an official Colorado School of Mines transcript, please contact the registrar's office.