Giving Priorities

Finances are often the reason students drop out of college. You can help.

The Sycamore Success Scholarship was created by President Mike Godard with a leadership gift from longtime Sycamore supporter and alumna Jo Einstandig. This initiative provides funding for students who are unable to afford college after funding from financial aid and familial support. Your support can help Sycamores make it to the finish line.

The fund is utilized by admissions professionals to offer financial aid to increase the yield of freshman students enrolled and earning their degrees at our University. This scholarship supports those who may not receive enough financial support to fully cover their tuition, allowing these students to enroll in classes and successfully pursue their degree.

Giving to Indiana State University transforms the lives of our students, alumni and community. Your philanthropy impacts Indiana State accessibility and affordability while providing experiential learning and community engagement opportunities that prepare productive citizens for Indiana and beyond.

By giving to The Fund for Indiana State, you are a direct partner in the success of our students and our University. As an unrestricted fund, it allows us to direct your support where it is needed most, as well as inspire additional resources for the growth of the institution. 

The Division of University Advancement maintains a robust scholarship program comprised of nearly 1,000 merit and need-based scholarships. These scholarships are made possible thanks to the generous donations of alumni, friends, corporate partners, and foundations.

Donors have the opportunity to work with the Division of University Advancement staff to define the scholarship criteria that will meet their philanthropic intent, as well as address the ever-growing need for student support. There are a variety of scholarship and endowment types to best suit your vision for giving. 

Annual Scholarship Funds

Annual scholarships are based on outright, cash gifts that are awarded to students on an annual basis. Donors may create a scholarship of this type with a minimum gift commitment of $1,000. Annual scholarships provide immediate financial support to students without a large or long-term pledge commitment.

Pure Endowments

Scholarships and funds invested in the Indiana State University Foundation endowment make a perpetual impact on Indiana State students and programs. These funds may be designated by a donor to impact students in a particular program, geographic area, or other criteria important to the donor. To establish a new endowed fund is a minimum $25,000 donation and can be pledged for a maximum 5-year period. New endowment funds require a 12-month vesting period prior to fund distribution. Annual distributions will be made in accordance with the Endowment Spending Policy as approved by the Indiana State University Foundation Board of Directors.

Term/Quasi Endowments

Similar to pure endowments, term or quasi endowments are invested with the Indiana State University Foundation and require a $25,000 minimum gift for all new funds. These funds, however, may invade the endowment principle to award an annual distribution as set by the donor to achieve a desired impact.

For gift assistance or to learn more about creating a scholarship at Indiana State, contact us at 812.237.6100.

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of and Indiana State education and a key to success for our students. Each of our academic programs provides hands-on, career-focused learning opportunities to give Sycamores an edge in a highly competitive job market. This approach gives students a leg-up with a 94% placement rate of our graduates. The Experiential Learning Endowment gives students the opportunity to gain valuable experiences and stand out in the competitive job market once they graduate.

The Experiential Learning Endowment allows students to pursue experiential learning programs, such as internships, research programs, and clinical rotations. These experiences allow students to gain work and practical experience in a variety of settings that provide hands on learning opportunities and outcomes designed to increase career readiness.

Supporting Faculty Excellence at Indiana State University ensures that our renowned professors have the resources they need to advance research, secure grants, and inspire the next generation of leaders. Faculty play a critical role in shaping students’ academic experiences, and financial support allows them to stay at the forefront of their fields by engaging in groundbreaking research, presenting at national and international conferences, and developing innovative curricula. By investing in faculty excellence, donors help Indiana State attract and retain top educators who mentor and prepare students to excel in their careers.

Donors have the opportunity to collaborate with the Division of University Advancement to align their philanthropic goals with our mission. Gifts can be designated to support faculty in specific fields, fund research initiatives, provide professional development opportunities, or create endowed professorships that leave a lasting impact on the university. Through their generosity, donors ensure that faculty have the tools and resources needed to educate, inspire, and lead—both in the classroom and beyond.

Donations to Sycamore Athletics help offset costs for team equipment and apparel needs, program enhancements, and competitive travel expenses. These contributions also fulfill the needs of our coaches and improve our facilities and other vital resources that allow our athletes to compete at a higher level.

The Varsity Club is the annual giving program of the Sycamore Athletic Fund that provides financial support for Indiana State University Intercollegiate Athletics. Your Varsity Club membership means you are part of an exclusive group of loyal Sycamore alumni, friends, and fans. With your support of $125.00+ annually, we are able to ensure our student-athletes, coaches, administration, and staff have the resources needed for success in the classroom and in competition.

Since the first day students were enrolled in 1870, Indiana State University has embraced its commitment to diversity. The Divine Nine, which refers to the nation's nice historically Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities, was founded as early as 1928 at Indiana State and became an integral part of the black student experience. Each semester, our Divine Nine organizations raise funds for their philanthropies, provide service hours to our communities, and serve in leadership roles at the institution.

The Project

We are excited to provide a space and a beautiful structure that recognizes the long history and many contributions that our Divine Nine organizations have made and continue to make on our campus. The space will be named the "NPHC Plaza" and will remind those walking by it of these organizations' significance and legacy at Indiana State University.

The Location

The NPHC Plaza will be situated in Library Park on campus, south of Cunningham Memorial Library and between the New Theatre and Root Hall. It is a highly visible campus space surrounded by walkways and trees where many faculty, staff, and students travel as they move around campus.

Plaza Details

The Plaza's 910 square feet open circle design corresponds with the quarter circle of the National Pan-Hellenic Council organization. The structure comprises red bricks and neutral concrete resembling the university's Arch at Cherry and 3rd Streets. Each pillar of the structure will be 8 feet high and 5 feet across and be dedicated to one member of the Divine Nine, providing nine total pillars. The structure will be around a circular concrete patio stretching north and south. It will have benches for visitors to sit and reflect on the contributions of the Divine Nine at ISU.

The cost of the Plaza is approximately $750,000, of which the university will contribute two-thirds of the funding. We are seeking donor support for $250,000 for the project.

NPHC Plaza Designed by Meticulous Design and Architecture (Indianapolis, IN)

Donor Levels

Founders: $25,000 and above

Charter: $15,000 - $24,999

Lifetime: $10,000 - $14,999

Legacy: $5,000 - $9,999

Brother-Sister: $2,500 - $4,999

Service: $1,500 - $2,499

Community: Up to $1,499

Donor Recognition

Only donations of $2,500 and above will be placed on the recognition piece at the NPHC Plaza. Multiple people can donate together to reach the giving thresholds for recognition, but only the group name will be displayed on the recognition piece at the plaza. All donors will be contacted in advance of any recognition effort at the plaza in order to ensure proper recognition of names, pledge lines, etc.

Multi-Year Pledge

If you are interested in making a multi-year pledge to support the plaza, please contact Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement/CEO of the ISU Foundation, by email at andrea.angel@indstate.edu.