Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Athletic Fund Spring Membership Drive Begins
3/17/2026 2:00:00 PM | General
CMU Athletics Announces Updates to its Annual Giving Program.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—The 2026 Chippewa Athletic Fund (CAF) Spring Membership Drive kicks off today, Tuesday, March 17.
As a part of this year's membership campaign, the athletic department is modernizing its annual giving program through the CAF to adapt to the changing landscape of NCAA Division I athletics. With the House vs. NCAA settlement finalized and new parameters put in place last summer, revenue sharing with student-athletes is on-going.
As these changes take shape across the country, CMU is committed to ensuring that our student-athletes, coaches, and programs are positioned for success in the Mid-American Conference. The CAF serves as the fundraising arm of Central Michigan Athletics and works with alumni and friends to generate philanthropic gifts to support the athletic and academic ambitions of our more than 400 student-athletes, and the championship aspirations of our 17 sport programs.
Gifts to the CAF will continue to support sport program operations, team travel and meals, equipment, and student-athlete academic support among other things. In addition to those areas of support, gifts will now also support scholarships and revenue sharing opportunities for CMU student-athletes. Additionally, the CAF has changed the names of its sport specific annual funds from 'Champions Fund" to 'Excellence Funds' to more accurately articulate the use of donor philanthropy.
"The intercollegiate athletics landscape has transformed the last few years, and empowering our coaches to invest CAF member philanthropic support in new ways is our response to these changes," Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "We are embracing this new era of intercollegiate athletics. Being able to provide enhanced scholarships as well as share revenue with our student-athletes will aid our coaches in the recruitment, development, and retention of current and future CMU Chippewas."
During the spring drive, current members can renew their CAF membership while alumni and friends can join the CAF. Gifts can be directed to any of CMU sport programs or the unrestricted Athletic Director's Excellence Fund, which is earmarked for the department's greatest priorities.
A member can become a Champion of any of these programs (except football) by contributing at least $500 to a specific program. Eligibility into CMU football's 1100 Club requires a $1,500 annual gift to the football program. Benefits include donor board recognition, parking and seating benefits, and event invitations.
Named in honor of CMU's first year of intercollegiate athletics, the 1896 Society, CMU Athletics' premier giving society, recognizes commitments of $25,000 or greater to Athletics. This commitment is payable over five years, while members receive exclusive benefits and opportunities in recognition of their generous support.
The CAF Spring Membership Drive will run through June 26. For more information, contact Associate Athletic Director/Annual Giving and Tickets Ethan Lewandowski at lewan1ej@cmich.edu or (989) 774-2842.
As a part of this year's membership campaign, the athletic department is modernizing its annual giving program through the CAF to adapt to the changing landscape of NCAA Division I athletics. With the House vs. NCAA settlement finalized and new parameters put in place last summer, revenue sharing with student-athletes is on-going.
As these changes take shape across the country, CMU is committed to ensuring that our student-athletes, coaches, and programs are positioned for success in the Mid-American Conference. The CAF serves as the fundraising arm of Central Michigan Athletics and works with alumni and friends to generate philanthropic gifts to support the athletic and academic ambitions of our more than 400 student-athletes, and the championship aspirations of our 17 sport programs.
Gifts to the CAF will continue to support sport program operations, team travel and meals, equipment, and student-athlete academic support among other things. In addition to those areas of support, gifts will now also support scholarships and revenue sharing opportunities for CMU student-athletes. Additionally, the CAF has changed the names of its sport specific annual funds from 'Champions Fund" to 'Excellence Funds' to more accurately articulate the use of donor philanthropy.
"The intercollegiate athletics landscape has transformed the last few years, and empowering our coaches to invest CAF member philanthropic support in new ways is our response to these changes," Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "We are embracing this new era of intercollegiate athletics. Being able to provide enhanced scholarships as well as share revenue with our student-athletes will aid our coaches in the recruitment, development, and retention of current and future CMU Chippewas."
During the spring drive, current members can renew their CAF membership while alumni and friends can join the CAF. Gifts can be directed to any of CMU sport programs or the unrestricted Athletic Director's Excellence Fund, which is earmarked for the department's greatest priorities.
A member can become a Champion of any of these programs (except football) by contributing at least $500 to a specific program. Eligibility into CMU football's 1100 Club requires a $1,500 annual gift to the football program. Benefits include donor board recognition, parking and seating benefits, and event invitations.
Named in honor of CMU's first year of intercollegiate athletics, the 1896 Society, CMU Athletics' premier giving society, recognizes commitments of $25,000 or greater to Athletics. This commitment is payable over five years, while members receive exclusive benefits and opportunities in recognition of their generous support.
The CAF Spring Membership Drive will run through June 26. For more information, contact Associate Athletic Director/Annual Giving and Tickets Ethan Lewandowski at lewan1ej@cmich.edu or (989) 774-2842.
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