Endowed Funds

There are over 265 endowed scholarship funds at Gallaudet. You can browse for a specific endowed funds by going to Search for Endowed Funds.

Establishing a fund
An endowed fund can be established at Gallaudet through contributions totaling $25,000 or more over a five-year period. Contributions may be made annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly. Awards from endowed funds begin after the fund's principal balance exceeds $25,000.

Prior to that time, a fund's investment earnings are fully reinvested to increase the principal balance. Financial contributions to individual endowed funds become part of Gallaudet's permanent endowment fund, currently valued at over $165 million.

Distribution of awards
In accordance with University policy, an amount equal to a percentage (currently 4 percent) of the market value of each individual fund is distributed annually for awards, and additional investment earnings are reinvested to increase the fund's principal balance.

The increasing value of the fund over time provides for awards without depleting the fund's principal balance. As a result, endowed funds become a permanent source of financial assistance, benefiting Gallaudet and its students in perpetuity.

Investing funds
Endowment monies are managed separately from the University's general operating funds. Gallaudet's policy is to invest endowed funds in a diversified portfolio of securities designed to earn safe and reasonable annual investment returns.

The investment of the endowment fund is managed by private financial service companies that are not affiliated with the University. A combination of increased contributions, careful investing and smart leadership in recent years has led to significant growth in the value of Gallaudet's endowment.

Why establish a fund?
Interested donors may establish an endowed fund to provide scholarship assistance, program support, and/or research support.

The fund can be in honor or memory of an individual, or named after the Fund founding donor, individual(s), organization, foundation, or corporation.

A memorandum of understanding, signed by fund founding donor(s) and the University President, will guide the University in distribution of financial assistance from the Fund.

Contact us for more detailed information regarding the establishment of your own endowed fund, Gallaudet's current endowment funds, and investment policies.

Who Manages Your Gift?
Many universities throughout the United States have their endowment funds managed by a finance company that specializes in providing advice about how the funds should be invested to maximize their percentage returns. Currently, Gallaudet University is working with an international finance management company, Salomon Smith Barney.