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Supporting CREES

Donations to the University of Michigan Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREES) are essential to our operations. Your gift to one of our designated endowment funds (see below) will guarantee that U-M students will have an opportunity, in perpetuity, to study the cultures, histories, languages, and peoples of Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus and contribute to scholarship and involvement in the region. A gift to one of our endowments is the most significant way you can help secure the University of Michigan's position as a leader in the field of Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.

Gifts may be made in a variety of ways and are deductible as allowed by law. CREES accepts cash, checks, or credit cards; matching gifts (please include the appropriate paperwork from the matching agency with your gift); and securities (stock gifts). If you are interested in making a planned gift to CREES, please visit the Office of Development's website. The University of Michigan will work with donors and their financial advisors to design a trust or bequest.

To give online:
To give by mail:  Donation Form

Why Give to CREES?

The University of Michigan Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREES) is one of the nation's foremost institutes for interdisciplinary research and training on Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. A constituent unit of the International Institute since 1993, CREES has been a U.S. Office (now Department) of Education Title VI-supported center for this region since 1959. Regional strengths include Russia, Central Europe (especially the Czech and Slovak Republics and Poland), Southeastern Europe (notably former Yugoslavia), Central Asia, and the Caucasus (especially Armenia).

In addition to long-standing breadth and depth in the core area studies disciplines of history, political science, and Slavic languages and literatures, CREES has an unusually large concentration of faculty in anthropology, architecture, Islamic studies, Judaic studies, and sociology. CREES offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate concentration; undergraduate minors; master's degree; concurrent bachelor's/master's degrees; graduate certificate; and graduate-level dual degree programs with professional schools in business, law, and public policy.

Since the mid-1980s, CREES has sought to build its endowments that help support internships, faculty and student travel, visiting lecturers, and special courses on the region. We hope that you will contribute generously to our effort to build the Center's future financial security by sending your gift or a pledge today.

CREES Giving Opportunities

1. CREES Endowment
The CREES Endowment was established in 1987 with a challenge grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The endowment supports faculty and student travel grants, visiting lecturers, conferences, special courses, and other regionally-specific projects.

2. Czech Studies Fund
The Czech Studies Fund will support lectures, conferences, film screenings, and other activities featuring Czech culture and society. Funds may also be used to make student travel awards and support the teaching of courses on Czech culture and history.

3. Nicolaus Copernicus Endowment
The Nicolaus Copernicus Endowment was established at the University of Michigan in 1973. The principal goal of this effort is to provide support for Polish programming and fellowships for students in Polish studies. Income from the endowment supports the Annual Copernicus Lectures and other public programming dedicated to advancing a deeper understanding of Poland, its people, and its culture.

4. Southeastern European Studies (SEES) Fund
The SEES Fund is dedicated to strengthening the study of Southeastern Europe at the University of Michigan. Gifts will support language instruction; special courses; lectures, conferences, and film screenings; as well as research visits and internships by U-M students in the region.

For more information on the various ways you can support the University of Michigan Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, contact:

Marysia Ostafin
Program Manager
Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
University of Michigan
1080 South University Ave., Suite 3668
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Phone: 734.647.2237
Fax: 734.763.4765
Email: mostafin@umich.edu