An endowment is an investment in the future. An endowment is an invested gift that generates income to be used, in perpetuity, to support Grambling State University. Because endowments generate funds indefinitely, they are often referred to as "the gifts that keep on giving." When you establish an endowment, your gift is invested with two goals in mind: to make the principal grow faster than inflation, and to provide additional income for whatever purpose you designate.
Grambling's endowment is its financial foundation. Endowment income provides security and protection that balance the other sources of income for GSU which tend to fluctuate: tuition, state support, and annual gifts. A steady, increasing endowment income can mean the difference between merely sustaining the status quo and aspiring and achieving new heights of excellence.
Because endowments generate support forever, they are especially valuable and appropriate for donors who wish to leave a legacy at Grambling State University.
Endowed Scholarships
Named endowed scholarships can be established for a minimum gift of $10,000. The interest from this permanent fund will be used to sustain a scholarship to help a student with tuition, books, room, or board. Endowed scholarships can be funded with a single gift or with a pledge which is payable five years.
Non-Endowed Annual Scholarships
An annual named non-endowed scholarship can be established for a minimum gift of $500 per year. The entire amount will be awarded each year.
Professorships and Eminent Scholar Chairs
Establishing endowed professorships and eminent scholar chairs at Grambling State University is an opportunity to take advantage of state matching funds and assist Grambling in meeting a critical need - attracting and retaining outstanding faculty. The Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund, established by the State of Louisiana, will match a gift of $60,000 with state funds of $40,000 to create a $100,000 professorship. Similarly, the state will match a gift of $600,000 with $400,000 to create a $1,000,000 eminent scholar chair.
The income from the endowed professorship is used to supplement faculty salaries and to provide faculty support such as equipment and supplies needed for research. The income from the eminent scholar chair actually supports a faculty member's salary, providing much-needed enhancement for the academic areas of the university and allowing the university to remain on the cutting edge of excellence in academics.
The donors of these endowments have the ability to name the professorships and chairs and may designate their use as specifically as is practical within the university. For instance, the donor may wish to designate a professorship for the College of Mass Communications. Because of possible departmental and organizational changes, it is recommended that the donor consult with the dean of the chosen college before designating.
The professorships and eminent scholar chairs are professionally managed according to the guidelines set forth by the University of Louisiana System's Board of Regents. The principal of the endowment is never invaded, and an amount is reinvested each year to provide growth for the endowments as a hedge against inflation.
One-Time Gift - A named one-time, non-endowed scholarship may be made for a minimum gift of $750. As with the non-endowed scholarship, the entire amount will be awarded in the given year.
For more information about endowments, call (318) 274-2203.
