Home / After Stephens / Give

Give

Choose Your Impact

Stephens College has always been a place where innovation meets tradition.

Through Onward Giving, you sustain the daily excellence of our beloved campus—supporting the Stephens Fund, student scholarships, academic programs, campus beautification, and the Stars Athletics Club. 

With Upward Giving, you shape the future of Stephens College by advancing transformative projects like the Stars Athletics Complex expansion, the Firestone Baars Chapel renovations, the Stephens Promise Scholarship Fund, and the Student Experience Fund.

Onward and Upward, your support fuels bold dreams, empowers students, and ensures Stephens remains a vibrant community where tradition inspires forward thinking. 

Explore the giving opportunities below to make an impact today.

Explore Ways to Give

Stephens Funds for Onward Progress

Onward Giving: Sustaining Excellence Every Day

Onward Giving at Stephens College is the cornerstone of our success, providing essential support to sustain the programs, people, and places that define our vibrant campus community. From scholarships that empower students to academic programs that inspire future leaders, your gifts ensure that every aspect of a Stephens education thrives. Whether preserving our historic campus, advancing athletic opportunities, or fostering innovative teaching and learning, Onward Giving keeps Stephens moving forward—delivering excellence every day and shaping a brighter tomorrow.

The Stephens Fund: Sustaining Excellence, Every Day

The Stephens Fund is the foundation of everything we do. It provides vital, unrestricted support that fuels the daily operations of the College, from classroom resources to student services. Your gift to the Stephens Fund ensures we can continue delivering excellence every day, while also enabling us to seize new opportunities and tackle challenges as they arise. This is the best way to support every student, every day, and make an immediate, far-reaching impact.

Student Scholarships: Empowering Dreams

Your gift for scholarships directly impacts the lives of our students, providing the merit awards and financial support they need to pursue their education with confidence. By reducing barriers to access and rewarding achievement, scholarships open the doors to a Stephens education, enabling students to focus on their studies, chase their dreams, and prepare to lead in their chosen fields.

Academic Programs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders

Support for academic programs at Stephens fuels the creative, analytical, and professional development of our students across diverse fields. Your gift also continues our legacy of exceptional teaching by empowering inspiring educators to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and guide students to lead, create, and thrive in a changing world. Together, we prepare graduates to make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields and beyond.

– School of Health Sciences: Advancing Health and Wellness
Supporting the School of Health Sciences means investing in students who aspire to excel in programs like Nursing, Psychology, and Animal Behavior. Your gift enhances hands-on learning opportunities, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring that future healthcare leaders and animal research, care, and therapy professionals are prepared to make meaningful contributions to their fields. Together, we advance health and wellness while empowering students to transform lives.

–  School of Integrative Studies: Empowering Future-Ready Thinkers

Gifts to the School of Integrative Studies support students across diverse programs such as English and Creative Writing, Communication Design, Business, Education, Digital Filmmaking, and Fashion. Your contributions enhance the interdisciplinary education that connects these fields, equipping students with the creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking needed to address real-world challenges. By investing in integrative studies, you help shape innovative leaders, impactful educators, and compelling storytellers prepared to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

– Conservatory for the Performing Arts:  Inspiring Creativity and Excellence
A gift to the Conservatory for the Performing Arts nurtures the talents of emerging artists, performers, and storytellers. Your generosity supports an immersive educational environment where students master their craft through rigorous training, mentorship, and transformative performance opportunities. By giving to the Conservatory, you help aspiring creatives bring their unique voices to the world and ensure that the performing arts continue to inspire, engage, and connect us all.

Campus Beautification: Preserving Our Historic Home

Stephens College’s historic campus is a source of pride and inspiration. Your support for campus beautification helps preserve its timeless beauty, ensuring that students, faculty, and visitors enjoy an environment that fosters creativity and connection. From our serene green spaces in the middle of Columbia to our iconic buildings, your gift sustains the heart of our Stephens community.

Stars Athletics Club and Scholarship Fund: Building Champions On and Off the Field

Gifts to the Stars Athletics Club empower our student-athletes to succeed in competition, in the classroom, and beyond. Your support enhances training resources and team experiences, helping our athletes grow as leaders and teammates. Together, we foster school spirit and celebrate the power of determination and teamwork.

Okoboji Summer Theatre: Where Learning Takes Center Stage

Support for the Okoboji Summer Theatre provides Stephens students with unparalleled real-world experience in a professional setting. For nearly 70 years, this one-of-a-kind program has blended education with performance, nurturing creativity, collaboration, and artistic growth. Your gift sustains the legacy of one of Stephens’ original immersive learning environments, empowering students to excel artistically and transform their passion into careers.

Matching Gifts

Many organizations match the charitable gifts made by their employees, retirees, and their spouses/partners. Check our list to see if your organization matches gifts to Stephens College. Don’t see your company? Ask your Human Resources (HR) department if they offer a matching gift program—it’s always worth inquiring!

Upward Giving for Stephens College 

Upward Giving: Empowering Transformation

Upward Giving at Stephens College is an investment in the bold initiatives that shape our future and strengthen our mission. These gifts drive transformative projects, from restoring cherished landmarks to expanding opportunities for students to thrive in and beyond the classroom. By investing in these visionary priorities, you empower Stephens College to continue its legacy of innovation and leadership—changing lives today and for generations to come.

The Stephens Promise Scholarship Fund

Expanding Access, Transforming Lives
The Stephens Promise provides middle-income students with the financial support they need to attend college tuition-free. Your gift removes financial barriers, enabling promising students to thrive and achieve their dreams. Together, we make a Stephens education accessible to all who are ready to Learn. Grow. Lead.

The Stars Athletics Complex Expansion

Advancing Excellence in Athletics
Expanding the Stars Athletics Complex will empower student-athletes to reach their full potential in competition and the classroom. Your gift enhances training facilities, builds school spirit, and fosters leadership, teamwork, and resilience—qualities that last a lifetime.

The Firestone Baars Chapel Restoration

Preserving a Masterpiece, Inspiring Generations
The Firestone Baars Chapel, designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen, is a spiritual and architectural icon on our campus. Your support for its restoration safeguards this cultural treasure, ensuring it continues to inspire reflection, community, and connection for generations to come.

 Okoboji Artists’ Village: There’s No Place Like Home

Phase 3 of the Okoboji Summer Theatre Tiny Home Campaign will continue to transform student and guest artist housing into a sustainable, inspiring artists’ village. These new homes not only support the Conservatory during its vibrant summer season but also expand the reach of Okoboji as a year-round destination. From writers’ retreats to science research collaborations with Lakeside Labs, this initiative creates opportunities for immersive learning and innovation in a serene, creative environment. Your support helps provide a welcoming home for future artists, scholars, and visionaries, ensuring our Okoboji campus remains a hub for growth and discovery.  For more information about tiny home naming opportunities, contact Ruth Ann Burke at rburke@stephens.edu or (573) 289-3815.  

The Student Experience Fund

Creating Boundless Opportunities
The Student Experience Fund transforms education into action, enabling immersive learning opportunities like study abroad, internships, and research trips. These experiences are life-changing, giving students the tools, confidence, and global perspective to excel in their careers and beyond.

Other Ways to Give

Your generosity can extend beyond traditional cash donations. Contributing stocks, securities, real estate, or other tangible assets not only supports Stephens College’s mission but also allows you to explore tax-efficient giving options. These non-cash gifts can amplify your impact—transforming lives while potentially maximizing your tax benefits.