Support USF

University of St. Francis students would not be prepared for lives of service and leadership if it wasn’t for the university’s generous donors. As a nonprofit institution, fundraising is a key component to fulfilling the university’s mission of providing a Catholic, Franciscan education to its students in Joliet and throughout the country. Below you will learn of the many ways to support USF. If you have other fundraising ideas you’d like to explore, please contact the Advancement Office staff.

  • Scholarships

    The University of St. Francis thanks the many donors and organizations who contribute to endowed and expendable scholarships. The support of our generous benefactors continues to make a difference in the lives of our students.

    Students are encouraged to discuss scholarship opportunities with the Financial Aid Services office. Students must have a current financial aid application on file to be considered for USF Scholarship Programs.

    To view our available scholarships, click on the link below:

  • Giving to USF

    Francis Fund

    Through the Francis Fund, USF asks our alumni, friends and parents to support the university through an annual gift. Our direct mail & phonathon campaigns help USF secure the resources needed to fund the university’s most immediate needs and provide financial aid and scholarships for students from Joliet and around the world.

    Call (800) 822-8280 or make an online donation by clicking here.


    Matching Gifts

    Imagine doubling or even tripling your gifts to St. Francis by simply taking a walk down to the Human Resources office at work. Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations — sometimes matching 100 percent or two or three times the value of your contribution.

    So how do you know if your employer has a matching gift program? Click here for a list of matching gift companies or ask your employer.

    Matching gifts are a great way to make the dollars you contribute to USF work harder and go further. And it’s so easy. Just let us know when you make your gift that your company provides matching funds. In many cases, we can take care the rest.

    If you have any questions about matching gifts, or you would like to set up a matching program at your company, please give us a call at (815) 740-5045 or e-mail advancement@stfrancis.edu.


    Planned Giving

    Estate planning enables donors to leave a legacy at USF and support future generations of students. Planned gifts also allow our alumni and friends to fulfill their financial and estate planning goals.

    Planned Giving is an opportunity for charitable giving in circumstances that may not otherwise allow a donor to make a gift to the University of St. Francis (USF). How is this possible? By taking advantage of incentives the IRS provides in formulating a plan that delivers benefits to you the donor, your heirs in certain instances and USF. Planned giving offers great tax savings and can provide an income stream for life.

    Common Types of Planned Gifts

    • Estate Planning/Will – Bequest
    • Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
    • Appreciated Assets (Securities, Stock, etc.)
    • Retirement Assets
    • Charitable Remainder Trust(s) (CRT)
    • Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
    • Life Estate Reserved (Gift of Remainder)
    • Bargain Sale
    • Real Estate
    • Personal Property
    • Life Insurance

    Through thoughtful planning, we can assist you in your personal charitable aspirations that garner favorable financial effects for all parties involved. If you are interested in considering a gift planning option, please do not hesitate to contact the Advancement Office at (800) 822-8280. We would be happy to discuss with you the tools available to help plan for financial security and charitable giving. We can help in tailoring a plan that is right for you!


  • Giving Societies

    Our donor giving societies are our way of saying thank you to our supporters and recognize their participation as benefactors. We invite you to learn more about the USF Society and the Three Oaks Legacy Society below.

    USF Society

    USF Society members support the university’s mission and vision through leadership levels of annual giving.

    For a list of those who donated during the June 1, 2010-May 31, 2011 fiscal year, click below.


    Three Oaks Legacy Society

    Three Oaks Legacy Society members support the university’s mission and vision by including the university in their estate and financial plans.

    For a list of members, click below

  • Special Events

    Caritas

    One of the oldest black tie events in the Will County area, Caritas, founded in 1958, is a major fundraiser for the university. Each January, the Recreation Center is transformed into a ballroom and 500 guests are treated to a themed event. Caritas features top entertainment, gourmet cuisine, the university’s own online auction of luxury items and an exciting raffle. Caritas has raised more than $3 million for scholarships. For more information about Caritas, call (815) 740-3826.

    For more information about Caritas, visit us at www.stfrancis.edu/caritas


    Brown and Gold

    University of St. Francis Athletics has hosted the annual Brown & Gold dinner and speaker for more than three decades. The event, held during the fall semester, features a well-known speaker from college or professional sports, like an athlete, coach or commentator. Brown & Gold includes a buffet-style dinner and an auction featuring sports memorabilia, tickets and more. Funds raised benefit USF student-athletes, many of whom volunteer to work the event.

    To view a history of Brown & Gold speakers click here.

    For more information on USF athletics click here.


    Spirit of Christmas

    Listen to holiday music, commercial-free, 24 hours a day from Thanksgiving through New Year’s with Spirit of Christmas on WCSF 88.7 FM, the student-run radio station at the University of St. Francis. More than 200,000 listeners in the greater Will County area listen to Spirit of Christmas, which began in 1992. Christmas classics, music from the big band era and children’s songs are featured, as well as gospel interpretations, vocal instrumental arrangements and contemporary holiday music. Local choirs and bands may also be heard. For more information about Spirit of Christmas, call WCSF (815) 740-3214.

    To listen to WCSF “live” on the Internet, click here.


    Pat Sullivan Golf Outing

    June means golf to University of St. Francis athletic alumni and friends. The annual golf outing brings 40 foursomes together at an area golf course. It’s a shotgun start that begins a day of fun and camaraderie. A continental breakfast and dinner are included, along with plenty of prizes. The golf outing is a fundraiser for USF Athletics. For more information, call (815) 740-3464.

  • Advancement Staff

    Regina Block
    Chief Advancement Officer
    Phone: 815-740-5065
    E-mail: rblock@stfrancis.edu
    Don Fisher
    Senior Advancement Officer
    Phone: 815-740-5062
    E-mail: dfisher@stfrancis.edu
    Susan Parker
    Grants Writer/Researcher
    Phone: 815-740-3605
    E-mail: sparker@stfrancis.edu
    Betsy Dvorak
    Database & Gift Processing Specialist
    Phone: 815-740-5052
    E-mail: bdvorak@stfrancis.edu
    Arlene Bogovich
    Advancement Office Coordinator
    Phone: 815-740-5045
    E-mail: abogovich@stfrancis.edu

  • Photo Album

    To view pictures of previous events, click on the links below:

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