We’re a group of five individual, unique foundations all working together to support the mission of Western Kentucky University by managing and investing philanthropic dollars, preserving and growing assets, and providing critical financial support to University faculty, staff and students.
College Heights Foundation – Chartered in 1923, the College Heights Foundation continues as the “Guardian of Trusts” to administer philanthropic gifts made to benefit Western Kentucky University. The College Heights Foundation provides assistance and encouragement to deserving students while also advancing Western Kentucky University by providing financial support. To accomplish its mission, the Foundation provides those services normally associated with a university-related foundation, including but not limited to volunteer leadership, asset management services and gift acceptance and acknowledgement.
Hilltopper Athletic Foundation – Since 1965, the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation (HAF) has served as the financial lifeblood for WKU Athletics helping to fund the overall student-athlete experience at Western Kentucky University. The purposes of the Foundation are to provide the necessary scholarships and other financial assistance to allow as many student athletes as possible the opportunity for an athletic and academic experience at WKU and to further support WKU Athletics through private support and visibility.
Donors to the HAF are investing in WKU Athletics by supporting approximately 400 student-athletes, helping to ensure their academic and athletic success. Donations through membership with HAF are used to provide Student-Athlete Scholarships – tuition, room and board; Academic and Career Development Support; and Coaches and Administrative Support. The assets of the HAF are invested in the College Heights Foundation.
WKU Alumni Association – The mission of the WKU Alumni Association is to inspire alumni to connect, engage and pay if forward to the WKU community. Membership to the Alumni Association helps to support the WKU Alumni Association Initiatives Fund, the Eva and Jim Martens Alumni Center, the Alumni Leadership Scholarships, Business Partnership Opportunities as well as overall Alumni Association programmatic support.
Student Life Foundation – In 1999, the WKU Student Life Foundation Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit, non-affiliated, tax-exempt Kentucky corporation, and granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. WKU established the Student Life Foundation to fund and renovated student housing on and around the WKU campus.
WKU Real Estate Corporation – The WKU Real Estate Corporation seeks to accomplish goals for WKU including advancing the University through gifts of real estate and property, serving as the conduit through which gifts of real estate and property are received, and participating in the stewardship of real estate in support of WKU.
