“To give to a university is to invest in humanity, and to build
for oneself--or a relative or friend--a memorial permanently carved in
the hearts and minds of men and women.” (Northwestern University’s
2001 Annual Report)
Donors can make gifts to the college in two primary ways. Current-use
funds are spent, in their entirety, to support a program or project, as
specified by the donor. For example, donors can contribute to a fund in
the College of Social Work such as the Dean’s Enhancement Fund [link
to descriptive]. Every dollar contributed to this fund provides support
for activities that bring Dean Meezan’s vision to reality.
Endowed funds, on the other hand, represent a living legacy for donors—and
a way to remember, honor, and pay tribute to mentors or loved ones. At
Ohio State, all individual endowed funds become part of the university’s
permanent endowment, a collection of well-diversified investments including
common and preferred stocks, corporate and government bonds, real estate,
and cash equivalents. The endowment allows Ohio State to preserve these
gifts in perpetuity by investing the principal and using only the investment
income for the donor’s specified purposes.
The University Endowment Fund is comprised of more than 3,000 named
funds. New individual endowment funds, established when a donor makes
an endowed gift of at least $25,000, are officially approved by the Board
of Trustees. Each year, the university distributes the income from each
named fund—equaling five percent of the average market value per
share of the endowment during the past three years—to the college
responsible for carrying out the program or activity detailed in the corresponding
endowment description.
The College of Social Work’s portion of this endowment is now over
one million dollars and is comprised of more than 30 individually named
funds.
As a land-grant university, Ohio State receives only about 25 percent
of its operating funds from the State of Ohio. Therefore, many outstanding
programs and projects must depend on other funding sources, such as private
gifts. The university’s endowment is based on the concept that excellent
programs require substantial, consistent, and permanent funding. Donors
who make gifts to establish or support endowed funds play a particularly
important role in enhancing teaching, research, and outreach at Ohio State.
Endowed funds can be established in many ways:
A one-time gift of cash, securities, or real estate, equaling $25,000
or more.
A pledge of $25,000 or more, payable over a period of five years.
A planned gift or bequest. In conjunction with Ohio State’s
Office of Planned Giving, I can work with you to create a plan that
ensures that your loved ones are taken care of, while enabling you to
support projects or programs at the College of Social Work that are
important to you.
Please visit the “Endowment” section of www.treasurer.ohio-state.edu
for additional details about Ohio State’s endowment, including investment
portfolio management.
Program Support
Current use gifts are necessary for program support to such initiatives
as our technology enhancements, pre-social work program, and seed moneys
for our gerontology and child welfare programs. Gifts received to a program
area are usually distributed dollar-for-dollar within the year and do
not generate interest.
For more information about endowment or program support funds, please
contact Jennifer Heller at 614/292-8879 or heller.4@osu.edu.
