Ways To Give | Endowed Funds

Endowed Funds


By establishing an endowed fund, you can make an impact that can last for generations. These funds can support students, faculty, programs and building maintenance in perpetuity or over an extended period of time, depending on your specifications.

There are three types of endowed funds:

True endowed funds are created when a donor instructs KU Endowment that the principal of the gift should be held forever, and the income used to fulfill the donor’s intent. The principal is never spent; it is invested as part of a pool of endowed funds to generate income in perpetuity.

Term endowed funds exist for a defined period of time (a minimum of five years). During that time, the principal and all earnings are expended as the donor specified so that no funds remain at the end of the term.

Quasi-endowed funds are created when a donor does not specify whether the gift should be expended in its entirety or be held in perpetuity. A quasi-endowed fund is invested as if it were subject to the terms of an endowed fund. However, the school or program benefiting from this fund may choose to expend all or part of the principal for the purpose designated by the donor.

When you endow a fund, you have the option of deciding how you would like it to be named. You may name the fund after yourself, or you may use it as an opportunity to honor and pay tribute to mentors or loved ones.

You may establish an endowed fund with a minimum $10,000 gift for certain purposes, such as providing unrestricted resources for an academic unit or for a student award. For endowed scholarships, the minimum gift is $30,000. The amount varies for endowed professorships or other programs.

You may establish an endowed fund in several ways:

  • Donating cash;
  • Donating securities;
  • Creating a planned gift such as an annuity, charitable remainder trust or by making a bequest in your will;
  • A combination of these options.

We would be happy to answer your questions about establishing an endowed fund. Please contact the development staff member in your area of interest, or email us with your questions.