Endowments

What is an Endowment?

An endowment is a transfer of money, property, or stock donated to Texas State University, usually with the stipulation that it will be invested, and the principal remain intact. Only the investment income is distributed annually to support the fund's purpose. 

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The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Your trust in us carries great significance and we are dedicated to managing your fund according to your vision. It is our unwavering goal to surpass your expectations by demonstrating our meticulous stewardship of your investment.

Our more than


15,700


SUPPORTERS


have made a lasting impact
on Texas State endowments.


812


Endowed Scholarships
and Fellowships



40


Endowed Academic /
Faculty Positions



186


Endowed Programs and
Research Initatives

Numbers last updated October 2024.

Understanding Endowments

Endowments are the hallmark of a great university and the cornerstone for innovative breakthroughs and community impact. Private philanthropic support promotes quality, stability, productivity, and creativity, leaving a lasting legacy to the university and the communities it serves.

Expand FAQ List

  • Step 1: Make a Gift 
    Gift a minimum of $25,000 created with cash, marketable securities, or other assets. Pledges toward that minimum may be made over a period up to five years. 

    Step 2: Create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 
    The MOU specifies the donor's intent and standard procedures for managing endowment funds. 

    Step 3: Set up your Gift 
    The gift may either keep the principal intact and only use the interest generated or enable flexibility to draw down on the principal in alignment with your intent. 

  • True Endowment
    Funds are restricted to preserve the principle. Invested funds generate income that determine the distribution of annual funds to support the purpose of the gift.

    Quasi-Endowment
    Invested as an endowment but with less restrictions to the principle. At the discretion of the governing board, quasi funds can be expended in full or in discreet portions, as stimulated by the donor's wishes or the need to the university.

  • Donated funds (the principal/corpus) are invested to generate income and are reviewed on an annual basis for distribution designated from the endowment between 3-4% of the market value, depending on the entity that is holding and managing the endowment. (Development Foundation, McCoy College Foundation or the University)

  • To better understand how we distribute funds to support your goals, it is helpful to know and understand the TXST distribution policy. The principal gift that establishes an endowment is always preserved, with only the investment income distributed annually to support the fund’s purpose. Earnings in excess of this distribution are used to build the fund’s market value. Donated funds (the principal) are invested to generate income. Earnings are distributed annually to designated accounts. For the TXST Foundation endowment, earnings are calculated as 4% of the preceding 12-quarter average market value of Foundation assets.

  • Texas State is eligible for the Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP), which matches research-designated gifts of $100,000 or more, including graduate fellowships and undergraduate research scholarships.* There are also many college-, career- or program-specific matching opportunities to boost the power  of your gift. Many private companies also offer matching programs.

    *The minimum amount for any installment is $100,000. 

Endowment Levels

By establishing an endowment, you exhibit a profound commitment to creating a legacy that resonates with your philanthropic aspirations. Your partnership propels us toward a future of promise and possibility.

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Student Scholarships and Graduate Fellowships

Scholarship support transforms lives. Thousands of our students grew up in humble circumstances – many the first in their families to go to college. 

Undergraduate Scholarships Minimum Funding: $25,000
Endowed Presidential Scholarship Minimum Funding: $50,000
Graduate Fellowship Minimum Funding: $100,000
 

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Endowed Academic / Faculty Positions

Endowed professorships and chairs help attract and retain world-class professors, which in turn attract more high achieving students. 

Faculty Fellowship Minimum Funding: $200,000
Professorship Minimum Funding: $600,000 to $750,000*
Distinguished University Chair Minimum Funding: $1,500,000 to $2,000,000*

*Minimum depends on college.

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Program / Miscellaneous Endowments

Endowment funding for academic initiatives, centers and programs support creativity, discovery and learning at Texas State University.

Program Endowment Minimum Funding: $25,000
Libraries, Teaching, Staff Minimum Funding: $25,000
Lectureships Minimum Funding: $100,000

Minimum funding for endowment levels and more information outlined in UPPS No. 03.05.01.

Make a Difference

Learn more about how you can make a difference for our university, the community, and the next generation of Bobcats.