How endowed funds work
The St. Olaf Endowment consists of over 2,100 individual funds that support financial aid, academic and co/extracurricular programs, and more. It provides a stable, predictable source of revenue restricted to purposes the donor defines in their agreement with the college. Approximately 22% of the college’s operating budget comes from endowed funds.
The endowment agreement is a legally binding contract between the donors and the college. The agreement includes information about the donors and their intent, the originating gift, restrictions and obligations for the college, and rights the college retains for naming, management, and accounting.
Endowed funds may be unrestricted (supporting either our operations or financial aid) or restricted (meaning the donor has set a particular purpose for their use). Any changes require new agreements. These must be signed by the original donors or confirmed in court if donors are deceased.
Earnings are available for spending once gifts of at least either $100,000 (unrestricted) or $200,000 (restricted) are received from the donor. Once the fund spends, earnings are available as revenue in budgets. The amount available for spending is deterimined by 12/31 for the following school/fiscal year. These earnings should be spent down every year; they become available again the next.
Earnings
Annually, the college provides donors with a report on the fund’s financial performance and use. Donor Relations surveys fund managers just before or after the school year to collect this information. This is shared with donors along with overviews from the President, CFO, program area heads, and students. Reporting on the use of funds is a requirement of our agreement with donors. It is a great tool to showcase the impact you make possible for Oles with the gifts they provided!
Questions?
Contact Donor Relations with questions you may have regarding a fund’s purpose, donors, reporting, and use:
Jarred McKinney
Associate Director of Impact and Reporting
mckinn6@stolaf.edu or 507-786-3617
Dan Riehle-Merrill
Director of Donor Relations and Communications
riehle1@stolaf.edu or 507-786-3131