A Tradition of Community
CAA students, parents and alumni agree: While artistic talent and ambition are the common characteristics of our students, it is the unique sense of partnership between all those involved in CAA’s vibrant and diverse community that sets the school apart.
For over 30 years, CAA has drawn talented students to Chicago to study the arts in a dynamic, metropolitan setting. With the support of families, friends and neighbors, CAA has created an environment that nurtures aspiring artists at the highest levels of achievement.
We look forward to speaking with you about the donations that are best for you. For more information regarding giving opportunities, please contact us at:
Kathryn Baltensperger, Director of Development
312-421-0202, ext. 14
kbaltensperger@chicagoartsacademy.org
Or
Martin Grochala, Director of Institutional Advancement
312-421-0202, ext. 23
mgrochala@chicagoartsacademy.org
CAA Annual Giving
The Annual Fund supports numerous areas critical to CAA’s operations. Tuition covers approximately 77% of our expenses, with the remainder met through other revenues.
Annual Fund gifts support cutting edge leadership in arts education; encourage professional development and retention of outstanding faculty; and ensure student diversity by providing financial assistance to students with limited means.
As CAA begins its fourth decade, it does so having excelled at creating a community of smart artists, which is reflected in the breadth and depth of advanced academic and artistic instruction available. CAA remains the only independent arts high school in Illinois serving highly talented young artists. Students throughout the world are drawn to the school (for some, requiring relocation from other countries, residence with a local host family, or a daily three-hour commute across state lines), because of the rich educational experience and exceptional faculty. Your support of the Annual Fund makes it possible to attract the best and brightest emerging artists to study at CAA.
Gifts to the Emerging Artist Scholarship Fund
CAA strives to attract a diverse student body and provide arts instruction to those without access, particularly students from numerous metropolitan communities where arts programming is limited. Tuition for the current school year is $22,105—an amount prohibitive to many prospective students. When awarding financial aid or merit scholarships, a student’s full financial commitment to attend CAA is considered, including additional costs ranging from book purchase or rental, commuting expense, dancewear, private voice or instrument lessons, drawing/painting materials, etc. Scholarship support through the Emerging Artist Scholarship Fund provides over $1,000,000 in scholarship awards to CAA students based on both need and artistic merit.
CAA welcomes your support of scholarships. Such gifts are often made in memory or in honor of an individual for whom the arts were integral to life, and CAA is pleased to recognize that support on this page and in our annual report.
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Endowment for CAA
Endowment contributions today are the foundation of a strong and stable future. An endowment gift remains intact for perpetuity, while the interest generated from the gift supports academic programming, teacher salaries and scholarships.
Endowment gifts may be made through a Planned Gift (see below), or through direct gifts of cash or securities.
Endowed Scholarships
Gifts of all amounts may be made to CAA’s Scholarship Endowment Fund. Named scholarships or other named endowed gifts are only accepted in the amount of $100,000 or more. CAA will invest the gift, according to investment policy, and, each year, award scholarships amounting to five percent of the principal, reinvesting the balance of any earned interest. Named scholarships may be restricted to students within a particular arts discipline, but general scholarships allow CAA the flexibility to serve the needs of students as they change from year-to-year.
Brian Edward Vogel Scholarship Endowment
Through the generosity of the Vogel Family, and many friends, a scholarship endowment has been established in memory of Brian Edward Vogel (Music, Class of '93). When Brian passed away in 2001, the Vogels began a scholarship fund that, over ten years, has helped three students make their way into the world through CAA. Now, on Brian's tenth anniversary, the Vogel's recommitted themselves to scholarship support by creating this scholarship endowment. Support from the Vogel Endowment will go to support a student facing significant barriers in their education, barriers that can be overcome through the care and attention of the exceptional teachers and arts environment at CAA.
To make a gift to the Brian Edward Scholarship Endowment, please click below to be taken to the contributions page or send a gift in care of CAA at:
1010 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
For more information about Endowment Gifts, contact: Martin Grochala, Director of Institutional Advancement at mgrochala@chicagoartsacademy.org.
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Planned Giving/Bequests
A "planned gift" is a charitable donation strategy that is designed to be beneficial to everyone involved - a nonprofit organization, donors, and donors' heirs. A planned gift can take many forms, including a bequest in a will, charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, charitable lead trust, life insurance, and retirement/IRA gift. Each form of planned giving has unique benefits. By supporting the school through a planned gift, you can ensure that CAA will have the resources to support future generations of students and continue to growth its successful model for arts education. 
Bequests
Many donors choose to make an outright bequest, leaving a specific property or a specific amount to CAA. You may however, donate a percentage of your estate. You may also bequeath the residue of your estate -- whatever is left after all other terms of your will have been satisfied.
Although unrestricted funds allow CAA to allocate dollars where the need is greatest, you may choose to restrict your bequest for a specific purpose -- such as a scholarship, endowment or a building project. Please be aware that an improperly worded restriction could, in the future, render CAA unable to benefit from such a bequest. Please consult with the Advancement Office to discuss your intentions.
Including CAA in your estate plan:
An unrestricted bequest to CAA can be made by including a simple provision in your will. Please note that state laws pertaining to bequests vary widely. CAA recommends that you consult with your estate planner before including a bequest provision in your will.
For more information about how you can support Chicago Academy for the Arts through a bequest, charitable gift annuity, or other planned gift, please contact Martin Grochala, Director of Institutional Advancement, at 312-421-0202 or mgrochala@chicagoartsacademy.org
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