Chico State Enterprises (formerly the CSU, Chico Research Foundation) was incorporated in 1997 following a reorganization of the responsibilities of the University Foundation. The University Foundation was incorporated in 1940 as an auxiliary organization authorized by the Education Code of the State of California and currently is responsible for fundraising and philanthropic endeavors on behalf of the University. The CSU, Chico Research Foundation was renamed Chico State Enterprises (CSE) in June of 2019. CSE has assumed responsibility for grants and contracts administration for the campus along with entrepreneurial activities. It is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of campus administration, faculty, a student, and members of the community. The CSE Chief Executive Officer is responsible to the Board of Directors for the administration of CSE activities and to the University administration for adherence to campus policy.
As a public non-profit corporation, CSE is self-financed and receives no state appropriations. CSE employees are not state employees. CSE's financial and personnel structures, while designed to serve the campus, are distinct from those of the University, and operational practices may vary from those of the campus. CSE must conform to non-profit corporation laws as well as the regulations and directives issued by the Trustees of the California State University.
The purpose of CSE is to help develop and administer those activities that aid and supplement the educational mission of CSU, Chico. As an auxiliary organization of CSU, Chico, CSE provides service functions. As a non-profit corporation, it facilitates the work of campus units and provides alternatives to state procedures. CSE administers hundreds of projects annually with annual revenues of about $35-$40 million. CSE employs more than 1,800 employees over the course of the year, in the form of 200 regular employees with full-benefits status, and 450-600 other temporary, part-time, and student employees during any particular pay period throughout the course of the year.
Chico State Enterprises serves the University in the following major areas:
- Solicits and manages externally funded projects orientated toward research, education, or public service, and which present opportunities for scholarship, creative activity and professional development.
- Provides a source of supplemental income and discretionary funds to support University needs, such as Faculty Incentive funds and activities which cannot be supported by State funds.
- Provides administrative and business support services to the University Foundation, including accounting, procurement, cash management, accounts payable and receivable, endowment distribution, human resources and more.
- Operates academically-related enterprises such as the University Farm and operates public radio station KCHO serving northern California.
- Acts as a fiscal agent for numerous campus programs, such as Regional and Continuing Education, University Public Events, and the revenue-generating special projects of university departments, and provides gift administration services of the University Foundation.
- Funds and manages various ecological preserves, as well as property acquired for investment purposes or to provide space for university programs.