Endowments

The following giving opportunities include either an established minimum amount, or a gift range. Endowment minimums vary by college or school, given the differences in recruiting and retaining faculty in these diverse fields. For information on minimums in a particular school or college, please . A strong endowment is the cornerstone of a great university.  Donors have established nearly 1,500 endowed funds to benefit ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder.  The financial resources provided by these scholarships, faculty chairs and professorships, and other permanent endowments are vital to the University’s long-term growth and success.

If you’re thinking about establishing an endowment, here are some key things to consider:

  • A formal gift agreement is required to establish an endowment.
  • Endowments can be named for the donor, or they may be named in honor or memory of others.
  • The University of Colorado Foundation manages endowment assets on behalf of all University of Colorado campuses. The document, , contains information on investment performance, portfolio composition and other financial details.
  • Endowments have different minimum levels depending on their purpose.  See the options below for these minimum amounts.
  • A donor may pledge to complete the minimum gift level over a maximum of five years.  Endowments can also be created through a bequest or other deferred method such as a gift annuity or remainder trust.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Donors may endow undergraduate scholarships or graduate fellowships to support students in specific colleges and schools, or they may make them available to all ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder students. Scholarships may also be created to support student-athletes in specific varsity sports. Donors may request additional selection criteria, such as academic merit, financial need and community service. These criteria are documented in the formal gift agreement.

General Undergraduate Scholarship: $25,000

Esteemed Scholars [box color=lightgray style=filled float=right]The Esteemed Scholars program is for Colorado residents only. Please visit  to learn more about the program.[/box]

  • President James H. Baker Award: $65,000
  • President Horace M. Hale Award: $90,000
  • President Joseph A. Sewall Award: $125,000

Chancellor’s Achievement Scholarship: $165,000

Presidential Scholarship: $400,000

Graduate Fellowship: $100,000 to $250,000

Distinguished Graduate Fellowship: $500,000

Donors also have the option of supporting students with scholarships or fellowships through outright gifts that are not endowed.

Endowed Faculty Positions

Chairs, professorships and other endowed positions are critical tools for ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder to attract and retain outstanding faculty members. These accomplished scholars enhance students’ academic experiences, undertake critical research initiatives and further build ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Boulder’s reputation as a leading global research university.

The following giving opportunities include either an established minimum amount, or a gift range. Endowment minimums vary by college or school, given the differences in recruiting and retaining faculty in these diverse fields. For information on minimums in a particular school or college, please contact us.

College or School Deanship:  $5 million

Department Chair: $2.5 million

Chair: $1.5 million to $5 million

Professorship: $500,000 to $1.5 million

Faculty Fellowship: $100,000 to $500,000

Research, Student Support and Other Programs

Donors can create a custom endowed fund to support any type of special interest or purpose. Examples of other funds include endowments to support activities like:

  • A lecture series or conference program
  • Research in a specific field or area of study
  • Awards programs for students, faculty or staff
  • Special exhibitions or collections

The minimum gift amount for a custom fund is $25,000 although the amount may be higher depending on the project or activity to be supported.