Colorado State University Foundation
Colorado State University Foundation assists in the promotion, development, and enhancement of facilities and educational programs and enhancements of faculty, students, and alumni of Colorado state university (CSU). This is accomplished through receiving, managing, and investing gifts. Principal and/or income from these gifts are used for scientific, literary or educational purposes which directly or indirectly aid and benefit CSU.
Colorado State University Foundation at a glance
In short: Colorado State University Foundation gave $79.2M across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $79.2M), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $79,217,346
- +3.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $79,217,346
- +3.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $79,217,346
- Total assets
- $864,944,732
- +9.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Colorado State University Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Colorado State University ($79.2M).
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 28 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Colorado State University Foundation gives
- Giving grew 33% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $59.6M (2022) to $82.7M (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $79.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO | Education | $79,217,346 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $864,944,732 | $117,234,946 | $92,436,659 | $79,217,346 | 1 | $18,332,547 |
| 2024 | $789,972,616 | $96,897,506 | $89,313,101 | $76,661,536 | 1 | $30,459,011 |
| 2023 | $751,934,427 | $89,557,511 | $90,881,779 | $82,689,633 | 8 | $9,602,498 |
| 2022 | $706,044,439 | $163,322,590 | $72,279,922 | $59,628,424 | 2 | $86,852,629 |
| 2021 | $732,500,299 | $183,413,484 | $72,922,929 | $60,266,881 | 16 | $78,154,200 |
About Colorado State University Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Colorado State University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Fort Collins, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $864.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $79.2M. Net investment income was $18.3M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Colorado State University Foundation is led by Cheri O'Neill, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 7 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cheri O'Neill
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$318K (2021) → $382K (2025)
Deb Demuth
Director & Chair
Director & Vice Chair → Director & Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dipen Patel
Director of Information Systems
Cis Manager → Director of Information Systems, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$118K (2021) → $158K (2025)
Rilla Williams
Director of Business Data
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024) → $117K (2025)
David Diehl
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Detterick
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luke Daniel
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Smith
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Martinez
Director & Vice Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Morris Price
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ric Thomas
Director & Past Chair
Director & Chair → Director & Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Thisted
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Klemz
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allen Padilla
Vice President & CFO
CFO & Treasurer → Vice President & CFO, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$185K (2021) → $263K (2025)
Terilyn Larson
Controller
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$113K (2021) → $170K (2025)
Sara Campbell
Secretary
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024) → $112K (2025)
Marie Dondlinger
Assistant Controller
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$101K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: James Martell (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jill Higham (2021–2024) — General Counsel
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $382K, to Cheri O'Neill (President/CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Colorado State University Foundation
How much does Colorado State University Foundation give each year?
Colorado State University Foundation gave $79.2M across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $76.7M across 1 grant.
How large is Colorado State University Foundation?
Colorado State University Foundation reported $864.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $117.2M.
What is Colorado State University Foundation?
Colorado State University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Fort Collins, CO. It holds $864.9M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Colorado State University Foundation operate?
Colorado State University Foundation has awarded grants in Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia.
What is Colorado State University Foundation's EIN?
Colorado State University Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7098397. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Colorado State University Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Colorado State University Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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