Collegium was founded at Fairfield University in 1992 by means of a generous grant from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment, Inc. Other benefactors include the Amaturo Foundation, Inc., George and Marie Doty, the Mary J. Donnelly Foundation, the Koch Foundation, Inc., John McShain Charities, Inc., the William M. & Miriam F. Meehan Foundation, Inc., Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Inc., Collegium alumni/ae, and a major donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Joining ACCU in 2002 allowed these funds to roll into an endowment, which helps with annual operational expenses.
Dues from each member institution, determined by their FTE, pay the costs associated with the annual week long colloquy:
- Dues for schools with 175 or fewer FTW: $2,925
- Dues for schools with 176 or more FTE: $4,100
Member schools may send an additional participants for a flat fee of $1,900 per additional participant.
Additional benefits to institutions:
- Vetted speakers’ bureau on Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Social Teaching, Sacramentality, Prophetic Imagination (travel costs and honoraria provided by Collegium).
- 1 hour long online session each semester open to all Collegium alums and Collegium-curious on pressing topics
- Access to 3 annual Catalyst Grants of up to $5000 to extend the work of Collegium in campus-specific ways