About SUAA Foundation

The SUAA Foundation was established in 1989 with the goal of providing the following services as deemed desirable beneficial, and fundable as determined by the Foundation Board of Directors: 

  1. Support for education and dissemination of information regarding issues affecting the welfare of members of the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA), hereafter called SUAA.
  2. Emergency assistance to SUAA members who are in need of financial support.
  3. Support to those Chapters establishing Survivor Assistance Programs. 
  4. Support a scholarship and grants program for members of SUAA and their families.

The SUAA Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization, recognized by the IRS as a public charity. 

Foundation Emergency Assistance Program

The SUAA Foundation Emergency Assistance Program is designed to help chapters provide support for members who are facing a sudden need for funds to cope with a crisis situation. Chapters may request assistance of up to $1,500 on behalf of individuals who have been SUAA members for 5 years or more.  For more information and a copy of the application, please use the “Emergency Assistance Information Page” link below. 

Survivor Assistance Programs

To help Chapters with their Survivor Assistance Programs, the Foundation has prepared a bookmark-sized handout with instructions for SURS members concerning such issues as (a) the documents that should already be on file with SURS and (b) whom to notify when a SURS member passes away.  Chapter leaders can obtain copies of the bookmark from the State Office.

SUAA Foundation Scholarships - Award Year 2025-2026

Applications will be reviewed beginning on June 1, 2025.

The SUAA Foundation offers up to eight scholarships of up to $1,000 per scholarship annually.  The scholarships are awarded for use in accredited degree-seeking programs, eligible technical/trade programs, and eligible certificate programs. The applicant must be a SUAA member in good standing or the spouse/partner, child, or grandchild of a SUAA member in good standing. For more information and a copy of the application, please use the “SUAA Foundation Educational Scholarship Program & Professional Development Grants" link below.

Applicants may apply throughout the year, however, preference will be given to those who apply by June 1, 2025.

Scholarships can be awarded to the same recipient for subsequent years, provided the recipient completes and submits a new application each year. Priority will be given to first-time submissions.

To be considered for an SUAA Foundation Scholarship, please complete and submit the signed SUAA Membership Certification Form, the SUAA Foundation Scholarship Application, an essay, and 2 letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation should be from people (such as; high school teacher, academic advisor, college faculty member, school administrator, work supervisor) who can discuss your qualifications to achieve your educational or career goals. Letters of recommendation should not be from relatives or friends.

(More information in the link below)

Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year have been awarded.

SUAA Foundation Professional Development Grants - Award Year 2024-2025 and 2025-2026
Professional Development Grants are still available for the 2024-2025 award year. You may apply at any time during the 2024-2025 award year for professional development activities which will occur prior to June 1, 2025. Please indicate on the application that you are applying for a 2024-2025 Professional Development Grant.

Applications for the 2025-2026 award year will be reviewed beginning on June 1, 2025

Applications are accepted throughout the year and grants are awarded throughout the year until two grants have been awarded. If any funds are remaining, additional grants may be awarded. Each grant of up to $1,000 is offered for professional development activities. Professional development activities must be related to improving or enhancing the SUAA member’s ability to perform in their current position at their institution. The grant may be used for conference registration fees, travel expenses to conferences, tuition, fees or books for educational expenses. The applicant must be a SUAA member in good standing who is currently employed at an Illinois institution of higher education.

To be considered for an SUAA Foundation Professional Development Grant, please complete and submit the SUAA Foundation Professional Development Grant application, an essay and one letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation must be from a person who can discuss how the professional development activity will enhance or improve the applicant’s ability to perform or grow in their current position. (More information in the link below).  Documentation such as proof of registration, copy of conference program, or receipts for travel expenses must be submitted before a disbursement is made.

More SUAA Foundation Information

We continue to work on ways to provide information and assistance to our chapters and members, and we appreciate your continuing support.  Contributions to the Foundation can be made through the link shown below.

SUAA Foundation Address
217 East Monroe Street
Suite 100
Springfield, IL 62701

Contribute to Foundation (NOT intended for member dues payments)
Click Here

Emergency Assistance Information Page
Click Here

SUAA Foundation Educational Scholarship Program & Professional Development Grants
Click Here

 Foundation Long-Range Planning Committee Report 2.28.21
Click Here

 The SUAA Foundation Board of Directors 

Elliott Dudnik UIC Chair 2023-2025
Alice Medenwald NEIU Vice Chair 2024-2026
Narbeth Emmanuel UIUC Treasurer 2024-2025
Judy Brown WIU Secretary 2024-2026
Sally Mullan COD Director-at-Large Region 1 2023-2025
H.F. Williamson UIUC Director-at-Large Region 3 2023-2025
Patrick Asher JJC Director-at-Large Region 3 2024-2026
Paul Stoddard NIU  Director-at-Large Region 2 2023-2025
Genevieve Lopardo CSU  Director-at-Large Region 1 2024-2026
Cathy Carruthers LCC Director-at-Large Region 2 2024-2026


Remember that all Chapters are able to have representation on the SUAA Foundation Board of Directors. Please contact your local chapter or the SUAA State Office for more details.

SUAA Foundation Survivor's Assistance Bookmark
The SUAA Foundation is offering laminated survivor's assistance bookmarks.  The bookmarks are a wealth of information for you or your loved ones to keep with your important papers for your survivors. Please call 217-523-4040 to order bookmarks and we will mail them to you. There is no cost for the bookmarks.

SUAA Foundation ByLaws
To read the Foundation Bylaws Click Here (6.15.2022)

SUAA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 

September 20, 2024
March 25, 2024

February 26, 2024
September, 13 2023

June 14, 2023 (Foundation Annual Meeting)

June 5, 2023

November 4, 2022

June 15, 2022
 (Foundation Annual Meeting)
June 22, 2021 (Foundation Annual Meeting)
October 21, 2020
November 5, 2019
June 27, 2019 (Foundation Annual Meeting)
October 30, 2018
June 21, 2018 (Foundation Annual Meeting)
October 24, 2017
June 20, 2017 (Foundation Annual Meeting)
November 21, 2016
June 21, 2016  (Foundation Annual Meeting)
November 13, 2015
June 16, 2015 (Foundation Annual Meeting)
October 29, 2014
June 17, 2014 (Foundation Annual Meeting)
October 29, 2013
June 18, 2013 (Foundation Annual Meeting)
October 10, 2012
June 19, 2012 (Foundation Annual Meeting)