Creating an Endowment
Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations
Endowments Create Legacies
An endowed fund managed by the WSU Foundation provides perpetual annual support for Washington State University. Your endowment may benefit a WSU priority of your choice or you may give the University discretion to apply your gift to one of its highest priorities. A gift establishing an endowment creates a lasting legacy in your name or the name of someone you wish to honor. Your endowment will only be used for the purpose you designate.
The following simple steps will establish an endowment:
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a written gift use agreement between the donor, Washington State University, and the WSU Foundation is created for all endowed funds;
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your gift is invested prudently, so the endowment's buying power is preserved over time;
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Once the principal is invested, all or a portion of the income is expended annually to support the area designated in your gift use agreement. If a portion of the income remains once the gift is fulfilled, it is added to the principal to guard against inflation and to maintain the fund's purchasing power for future generations;
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A gift of $25,000 or more establishes an endowment at Washington State University.
Endowments Support Diverse
Purposes
Endowments at WSU enhance student excellence by providing
permanent funding for scholarships and graduate
fellowships. This continuity of funding helps the
University retain high-ability students. Endowments
enhance faculty/staff excellence by providing vital
funding for endowed chairs, distinguished professorships
and lectureships, research funds, and employee excellence
awards. Endowments also enhance WSU's margin of
excellence by providing funds for the University's
highest priorities as outlined in its strategic plan.
These funds often make the difference between a good
program and an outstanding one.
How to Get Started
Once you have decided to create an endowment, a WSU
Foundation representative will work closely with you to
help define the features of your endowment to meet both
your wishes and the needs of the University. For more
information on creating an endowment, contact the WSU
Foundation at 800-448-2978, or by Email at foundation@wsu.edu .
