Endowing a Fund

Hundreds of Hamilton alumni, parents, and friends have generously endowed funds that support our students, honor our faculty, establish new programs, and enhance the beauty of our campus. In so doing, they have established legacies that enrich Hamilton and honor their affection for the College.

Hamilton’s endowment consists of different types of funds. Each requires a minimum investment to ensure appropriate spending is available for the donor’s intended purpose.

Student Scholarships

Endowed scholarships ensure that financial aid will be available to future generations of deserving students.

Minimum Funding Levels

Professorships

Endowed professorships honor Hamilton’s most distinguished professors.

Minimum Funding Levels

Experiential Learning

Endowed funds support student research, internships, and other vital learning opportunities.

Minimum Funding Levels

Lectures, Library, Special Purpose

Endowed funds support special programs and foundational purposes.

Minimum Funding Levels

Fund Minimums

Fund Type	Needed to Endow
Full-Tuition Scholarship More than half of Hamilton’s students receive financial aid. Generously and thoughtfully, a full-tuition scholarship would cover the cost of tuition for one student.	$1.3 million
Distinguished Professorship Provides support and recognition for Hamilton's most distinguished full professors.	$3 million
Early Career Professorship Provides support for young faculty members (1-7 years) on a tenure-track.	$2 million
Distinguished Visiting Professorship Provides support for scholars-in-residence to supplement the expertise of Hamilton's faculty.	$1.5 million
Named Special Scholarship Like general scholarships, special scholarships are awarded based on a student's demonstrated financial need and may include a preference if desired and agreed upon between the donor and the College.	$250,000
Named General Scholarship General scholarships are awarded solely based on a student's demonstrated financial need.	$100,000
Faculty/Student Research Collaboration Provides support for research in any discipline, including collaborative study with Hamilton professors and students.	$100,000
Career Exploration/Internships Provides support for students’ career-related internships, either unpaid or minimally paid, usually during the summer months.	$100,000
Special Purpose These funds provide a source of revenue to the College for a specific purpose, e.g., building restoration, art purchase or preservation, programmatic support, etc. The fund's purpose is defined by the donor in consultation and agreement with the College.	$100,000

When creating a new fund, Hamilton’s development staff members work closely with donors to ensure that both the donor’s intent and the College’s long-term needs are met. The capital necessary to establish an endowed fund at Hamilton may be provided through:

outright contributions of cash,
appreciated securities,
real property,
closely held stock,
personal property, such as important works of art, rare books, manuscripts, or antiques.

Gifts to attain a specified fund minimum may be completed immediately or over time (up to five years), as well as through an estate plan.

For more information, please contact Leslie Moseley Rioux ’87, director of donor relations, 315-859-4593, lrioux@hamilton.edu.