Endowed Gifts

An endowed gift is an investment in the future strength and success of Earlham. An endowed gift is a gift that the College holds in perpetuity. The gift is invested with only a portion of its average annual investment return being used to fund the purposes specified by the donor. To guard against the eroding consequences of inflation, the remaining investment return is added to the principal. The goal is to ensure that the principal maintains its value over time. Thus, a donor who creates an endowed gift today can be confident that it will grow and continue to support Earlham in the years to come.

As with any gift to Earlham, and endowed gift offers alumni and friends the opportunity to have their names, or the name of a loved one, linked to an area of the College in which they have special interest. Each donor’s gift is a unique expression of the causes and concerns that matter most in his or her life. Some donors create unrestricted endowments; recognizing that the needs and challenges of the future will differ from today. Unrestricted gifts are used for the highest priority needs on campus, and provide flexibility as these needs change. Other donors choose to direct their gifts to specific programs or departments of special concern to them. Regardless of the designation, it is the generosity and support of many that makes a difference in lives of all of us at Earlham.

Endowed Scholarship ($50,000 and up)

Students are not denied admission to Earlham because they lack the financial resources to come here. At the same time, even though we give over $9 million in financial aid we are not able to meet the full demonstrated need of all of our students. It is only through the help of generous alumni and friends that College will be able to continue to offer competitive financial aid packages that attract the most qualified students.

Donors who establish endowed scholarships are both creating a permanent tribute to the person whose name it bears and helping Earlham to make education accessible to deserving students from all backgrounds. In addition by creating a community where everyone learns more because it reflects a broad spectrum of cultural diversity in turn benefits our democracy and our world.

Providing scholarships for students in need is not something that only the very wealthy can do. Many of our gifts come from donors of relatively modest means.

Read about some donors who have recently endowed scholarships:
Professor Emeritus of English Lincoln Blake and wife Barbara
Class of 1952
Richard '45 and Frances Cummins

Faculty Chair: ($1,500,000)

At the core of Earlham’s commitment to quality education is the teaching faculty, recognized as outstanding educators and significant contributors to their disciplinary professions by those who are familiar with High Education and the reputation of the College. In order to continue to maintain and attract faculty who enrich and nurture our student’s educational experience we must grow our faculty positions and departmental resources.

One of the most prestigious and important gifts that can be made in the investment in the future of Earlham is an endowed chair. This gift allows the College to attract and retain outstanding faculty by offering additional salary incentives outside the normal scale. The selected professor assumes the chair as part of their title, retaining the honor until retirement when the next endowed chair is named.

Endowed Lecture Funds ($100,000)

The College’s small size and diverse student body put Earlham students in touch with ideas, cultures, and perspectives that broaden their outlook and engage the world. Part of the way that Earlham accomplishes this exposure to differing opinions and experiences is through our Guest Artist and Lecture Series and Convocation Lecture Series.

Establishing a lectureship supports the cost of bringing nationally and internationally recognized speakers to campus annually. Emphasizing areas of personal interest, donors can assist in exposing undergraduate students to significant issues through a lectureship series named for the donor.

Read about the Kazue Fukuda Hawkins Endowed Lecture Fund established by Earlham parent Neil Hawkins.

Library Book Fund ($20,000)

Earlham College Libraries are widely regarded as the nation's foremost undergraduate teaching libraries. This honor is a constant source of pride as well as responsibility to those of us at the College. The central goal of the College libraries is to help develop liberally educated students, capable of accessing and using information resources to inform their activities as citizens making a difference in our society.

An endowed library fund may be established with a gift of $20,000 or more. The income earned on such a fund will be used each year to purchase additional books for the library.

Endowed Tree Fund

This endowed fund supports tree conservation maintenance and replacement. It allows Earlham to preserve the beauty of the campus. Gifts may be added to the Endowed Tree Fund at any time. A gift of at least $1,000 will allow donors an opportunity to help beautify the campus and to name a tree for themselves or in memory/honor of a loved one or faculty member.

Additional Opportunities

Other naming opportunities include academic divisions and departments, scientific instrumentations and equipment, buildings, wings, laboratories, lecture halls, classrooms, offices, art and library collections. Contact the Alumni and Development Office for more details.