Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ welcomes the opportunity to partner with you in creating a fund that supports students, academic programs, or strategic priorities. Whether you wish to provide immediate assistance or establish a lasting legacy, our team will guide you through a thoughtful and transparent process.
Every fund is structured to honor your intent, ensure responsible stewardship, and align with University policy and applicable regulations.
Understanding Your Fund Options
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ offers two primary funding structures: Endowed Funds and Current-Use Funds. Within each structure, you may designate your fund for scholarships or programmatic purposes.
What is an Endowment?
An endowment is a permanent fund. The original gift (the principal, or corpus) is invested and preserved in perpetuity. The principal is not spent. Instead, a portion of the investment earnings is distributed annually in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ approved spending policy.
This structure allows your gift to provide ongoing, long-term impact for generations.
Minimum to establish an endowed fund: $25,000
Additional contributions may be made at any time to increase the fund’s principal and annual distribution.
Endowed Scholarship Fund
Provides annual awards to students based on criteria you define (such as academic performance, field of study, or financial need).
Endowed Programmatic Fund
Provides annual support for a designated academic department, research initiative, faculty support, student programming, or other strategic priority rather than direct student awards.
What is a Current-Use Fund?
A current-use fund is fully expendable. Gifts are used within the fiscal year received to support the purpose defined in your agreement.
This option is ideal for donors seeking immediate impact.
There is no formal minimum to establish a current-use fund, though many begin at $5,000 or more to provide meaningful support.
Current-Use Scholarship
Provides immediate student awards within the academic year.
Current-Use Programmatic Support
Supports academic programs, initiatives, events, research, or strategic priorities within the fiscal year.
How the Process Works
The process begins with a conversation with the Division of Development and Alumni Engagement to understand your philanthropic goals and intended purpose.
You will work directly with a Development Officer and the Office of Donor Services to define your fund’s purpose, eligibility criteria (if applicable), recognition preferences, and funding structure.
Our team prepares a formal gift agreement to clearly document your intent and ensure alignment with University policies and applicable guidelines. Once finalized and signed, the fund is officially established, assigned a fund number, and activated within the University’s financial and donor systems.
If funding is provided immediately, current-use funds may be awarded or utilized as early as the next academic term.
Stewardship and Oversight
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is committed to transparency and responsible stewardship.
Endowed funds are invested and distributed in accordance with Board-approved policy. Current-use funds are administered within the fiscal year received in alignment with the defined purpose.
Donors receive annual reports summarizing financial activity and, where permitted, information regarding student or program impact.
All funds are administered in accordance with University policy to ensure fairness, compliance, and alignment with donor intent.
Donor Privacy and Confidentiality
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is committed to protecting the privacy and intent of every donor.
The University subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights as endorsed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. The Donor Bill of Rights affirms that donors have the right to have information about their gifts handled with respect and confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
In addition, pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 6104(d)(3)(A) and Treasury Regulation § 301.6104(d)-1, contributor names and addresses reported to the Internal Revenue Service are not subject to public inspection.
Accordingly, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ does not disclose donor-identifying information or gift details without the donor’s express written consent, except as required by law. Donor information is shared internally only for legitimate University purposes and is administered in accordance with institutional policy and professional ethical standards.
For more information, contact the Division of Development and Alumni Engagement at invest@tuskegee.edu or 334-727-8760.
