Types of Gifts
Endowments – An endowment is a gift of principal that is preserved in perpetuity, which means that the funds will be invested to sustain the University across generations. The Lamar University Foundation invests the initial endowed gift into a professionally managed long-term investment portfolio and the investment income only is used for the intended purpose. Consequently, the donor who makes an endowed gift today may be confident that the gift will grow and continue to support its intended purpose far into the future. Donors interested in establishing a new, named endowment can designate the gift through an agreement that matches the donor’s interests while helping to meet the needs of the University and its students and academic departments. Donors may also choose to endow funds with unrestricted use. Unrestricted funds are critical to the University’s ability to address its most pressing needs. The Foundation will work with prospective donors on the terms and conditions of restricted or unrestricted endowments.

Scholarships – Scholarship endowments may be established through private gifts that include cash, securities, insurance policies, bequests, trusts, and annuities, or may be funded with a series of gifts made over time. Scholarships will be awarded one year after the minimum required funding level is endowed. Donors who would like an immediate award may contribute a gift beyond the minimum funding level. The amount awarded from each endowment is established through a spending policy adopted by the Lamar University Foundation Board of Trustees. Donors have the opportunity to name the scholarship after themselves, in honor or memory of a relative, friend, or loved one; after a respected faculty member; or after the name of a corporation, foundation, or other organization. Donors will receive information about each student who is awarded their scholarship as well as communication from the recipient. Donors will also have the opportunity to interact with their scholarship recipients at an annual scholarship dinner. Many lasting friendships have been forged between donors and “their” students.