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Why Give
Why Give
Gifts from alums, faculty, staff, and friends play an essential role in our ability to foster a world-class teaching and learning environment that encourages the pursuit of bold ideas. Without your philanthropy and partnership, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago would be unable to offer our students scholarships, internships, pre-college programming, and so much more.
When you give to scholarships, wellness, and career preparedness at SAIC, you join us in removing barriers to access, meet students’ needs, and limit the burden of debt for our graduates.
- $5.2 million contributed to scholarships in 2023–24
- Two-thirds of undergraduate and graduate students use Wellness Center resources
- 67 donors gave to Career Preparedness resources
Your Impact
Celebrating First-Generation Students
“The most supportive aspect of my experience at SAIC has been the First-Generation Fellows program. When I applied to SAIC I was 28 years old, and by the time I started classes I was just shy of turning 30. I was anxious about what it would mean to be committing to school at this age. The First-Gen program connected me to peers that were also returning to school after decades, as well as an amazing pair of mentors.” —Natalia Yarbrough (BFA 2026)
Opening Doors through Scholarships
"Our school has been around for more than 150 years. In the next 150 years, we want to continue diversifying our campus and providing opportunities for all talented artists to study here. We see a future campus that includes students from Chicago and all over the world. We see scholarship support that removes financial barriers to attending the School. We see a student body that reflects our society as whole, enriching every aspect of the student experience and cementing our reputation as a world-class institution that encourages diverse perspectives and playful creativity." —Rose Milkowski, Vice President of Enrollment
Contributing to Culture
“An arts community makes for a more thriving metropolis. Period. It contributes to the economy. It contributes to the community’s mental health. It contributes to the culture’s vitality. We want [to do] anything and everything we can to support that community.” —Denise Gardner, Member of the Board of Trustees
Supporting Student Success
“Internships provide practical experience and first-hand insight, which can be difficult to get in classroom environments where the subject matter can be more theoretical. It can also be a great way to get your foot in the door. I wouldn't have been able to accept the internship [at Kavi Gupta Gallery] without the stipend SAIC provided.” —Riley Gunderson (BFA)
“SAIC students are exceptional. For all the teaching I do, I feel like I learn just as much from our students.”
– Associate Professor Oli Watt supports scholarships
“SAIC has gone above and beyond to help my daughter graduate. I appreciate all the support she received.”
– Lisa Foy, parent of 2022 graduate, supports the Fund for SAIC
“SAIC, more than any other school I’ve had experience with, understands and respects mental and emotional wellness. I’m donating to support student wellness.”
– Francesca Gagliano (MFA 2011) supports the Wellness Fund
“We believe that the arts are able to make this world a more human place and can be the catalyst for needed changes. We want to help, through scholarships to make art education for everyone who wants to pursue it—not just for those with means to do so!”
– Jeanne and Robert Petrick, friends of SAIC, support scholarships
Your support gives students access to the resources they need to grow as artists, designers, and scholars. Learn more about ways to give.
Questions? Contact SAIC’s Office of Advancement at givetosaic@saic.edu or 312.499.4190.