Endowed scholarships: investing in Tulane’s future

Mary Sparacello msparace@tulane.edu

Endowed scholarships provide a lasting way to support students while creating a permanent legacy.


“An endowed scholarship is truly a gift that keeps giving,” says Lauren Michel, senior director of development in Tulane’s Office of Gift Planning. “By creating an endowment, donors make a lasting impact — not just for one student, but for many who will follow in their footsteps.” 

Unlike current-use scholarships, which can be spent immediately, endowed scholarships are funded through a permanent investment. Endowments are designed to provide long-term support by distributing 4 to 5 percent of their value each year. The rest of the funds are reinvested, allowing the principal to grow over time. 

Endowed scholarships can be established with a gift of cash or securities or through a donor-advised fund; through a pledge to be paid over time; or through planned giving vehicles, such as a bequest, IRA charitable rollover, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts or through a beneficiary designation of an IRA or life insurance policy. Donors may choose to designate the fund in their own name or as a tribute to a family member, friend, professor or someone else who has significantly impacted their lives. 

At Tulane, endowed scholarships generally start at $100,000, though donors can also contribute to existing endowments at any level. You could direct your support to a specific school, undergraduate or graduate students, or leave it unrestricted to be used where the need is greatest. 

If you decide to create an endowed scholarship, Tulane will work with you to develop a formal record of your intent so that your gift aligns with your philanthropic vision. 

“At Tulane, we see scholarship endowments as an investment in opportunity,” Michel says. “They open doors for talented students while giving donors a meaningful way to connect with the university’s mission and make a difference that lasts for generations.” 

For more information about creating an endowed scholarship at Tulane, contact the Office of Gift Planning at 800-999-0181 or giftplanning@tulane.edu. Your generosity can transform lives and provide opportunities for students to thrive for generations to come.