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Giving Planning Strategies: the Endowed Gift

Endowed gifts ensure the long-term excellence of Kenyon by funding scholarships, faculty initiatives, and academic programs.

Robert Abbajay Scholarship Fund Established in his memory in 1985 by Beta Theta Pi, friends, and relatives to provide an annual scholarship to a sophomore or junior who has contributed leadership and service to his or her fraternal organization and the College community. Recipient must have maintained a 3.0 or higher GPA.

Charles T. Bumer Scholarship Fund Established in 2002 by the members of the 63rd Army Air Force Detachment in honor of one of their most influential and remembered professors of mathematics to aid students majoring in mathematics who have financial need.

Thomas J. Edwards Scholarship Fund Established to honor dean Edwards's service as assistant athletic director and swimming coach from 1954 to 1964 and as dean of students from 1957 to 1990. Awarded to students in financial need who exemplify the personal, social, athletic, and academic strengths dean Edwards fostered during his thirty-six years of service to the College.

William E. McCulloh Scholarship Fund Established for the longtime classics professor by his friends and former students in honor of his retirement. The income supports deserving students, with a preference given to students in the Department of Classics.

Denham Sutcliffe Memorial Fund
Fund income is awarded as a scholarship in memory of a dedicated and brilliant member of the Department of English.

Class of 1952 Memorial Scholarship Fund
Established in 2002 to honor the memory of classmates and friends who lost their lives in the 1949 Old Kenyon Fire.

Other Class Scholarship Funds
1921, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1930, 1940, 1941, 1946, 1973

What is an endowed gift?

An endowed gift is one that is held in perpetuity. The gift is invested, with a portion of its annual investment return used for purposes specified by the donor. To protect against the erosive effects of inflation, the remaining investment return is added to the principal. Therefore, a donor who gives an endowed gift can be confident it will grow and continue to sustain Kenyon in the years to come.

The real power of a contribution to the endowment is in its twofold benefit. An endowed gift generates a perpetual revenue stream that finances the College's future. It also reduces dependence on the operating budget, freeing those dollars to underwrite innovations in teaching, learning, and research.

What types of assets are used to fund an endowed gift? Gifts of cash and appreciated securities are assets commonly used to establish an endowed fund.

What is necessary to establish and name an endowed fund? To establish an endowed scholarship fund, for example, requires:

  • A minimum commitment of $50,000
  • Nondiscriminatory scholarship criteria

All endowed gifts, including scholarship funds, may be named. Donors may have their names-or the name of a loved one or other honoree-linked to their fund.

How can endowed scholarships be designated?

  • Need-based scholarships
  • Merit scholarships
  • Scholarships for students with particular academic interests

Once established, can I continue to give to my fund? Yes. Contributions designated to a specific endowed fund may be made in the following ways:

  • Annual gifts of cash and appreciated securities
  • Bequests through will or trust
  • Remainder interests from life income plans, such as charitable remainder trusts and charitable gift annuities
  • Proceeds from retirement plan assets and life insurance policies

I'd like to make an endowed gift, but prefer not to name a fund. Are there existing endowed funds that I can contribute to? Yes. Many of the College's existing endowed funds accept additional contributions. The box below has a list of such funds.