Endowments
Endowed gifts are permanent gifts that secure New Mexico State University’s future.
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A Gift that Keeps on Giving
These funds are invested in the NMSU Foundation’s pooled investment fund and a portion of the earnings is distributed annually to support the scholarship, professorship, academic chair, or university program chosen by the donor.
Simply put, these types of gifts ensure that your legacy lives on far into the future. Whatever you support with an endowed gift across the NMSU system will forever receive your support, even after your lifetime. There are several options available to create an endowed gift tailored to your philanthropic goals.
Types of Endowments
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarships are a unique way to not only create a legacy of your own at NMSU but also provide perpetual funding for students earning an undergraduate or graduate degree. A minimum investment of $25,000 can begin the process of establishing a named scholarship endowment.
Endowed Professorships
Endowed professorships require a minimum investment of $500,000. A named professorship can provide the holder with more resources to advocate for his or her special program. It speaks to the academic reputation of the faculty member who holds a named professorship. Funds to support professorships help NMSU retain talented faculty who are in demand by other universities and the private sector.
Endowed Chairs
Endowed chairs elevate the prestige of an institution by attracting top-tier faculty and scholars. A minimum investment of $1 million is required to endow a chair, creating focused areas of study that draw leading experts to campus. These positions also attract graduate students eager to work with these faculty members. A chair is the most prestigious appointment within the University. In addition to supplementing a professor’s university salary, money generated from the chair’s endowment supplements the salaries of other faculty members in the research group. An endowment chair can also support a technician or researcher for the group and provide administrative and operational support. Such a team is positioned to succeed and promote a field of study or interest.
Endowment FAQs
How do I create an endowment?
It’s simple. Contact the NMSU Foundation at 575-201-9023, and we will craft a gift agreement that will govern your gift according to your wishes. You may designate your endowment for a specific purpose, as long as it is consistent with university policy and state and federal laws. Once the gift is accepted, the conditions are followed in perpetuity. Endowments may be funded with cash, securities, or deferred gifts from your estate. Endowment commitments can be funded with a one-time donation or through installment payments for up to five years.
How is the spending allocation determined?
The amount of funds available for distribution from the fund to the beneficiary colleges, departments, units, and programs during each fiscal year shall be determined from the prior year’s market performance. The allocation is a weighted allocation of two numbers—the target spending based on the quarterly endowment market values, and the previous year’s spending adjusted for inflation.
Endowed gifts managed by the NMSU Foundation are pooled for investment much like a mutual fund investment. The distribution of payment is established on an annual basis by the Board of Directors of the NMSU Foundation. The Board of Directors may change the management fee policy and/or the spending policy from time to time to protect the intergenerational equity of the endowment.
How does the market affect my endowment account?
Endowment earnings fluctuate with market performance. While our investment portfolio is thoughtfully diversified to mitigate risk, certain assets may occasionally experience a decline in value. However, our strategic allocation across various investment styles helps balance these fluctuations, offsetting potential losses and capitalizing on gains when specific sectors perform well.
This approach is designed to support long-term growth and stability, ensuring your endowment continues to make a lasting impact.
Will I receive an endowment report?
Yes. Each year, the NMSU Foundation provides a comprehensive endowment report detailing the financial status and growth of your fund. These reports are mailed directly to donors and designated donor representatives. For endowed scholarship funds, the report also includes the names of student recipients, offering a meaningful glimpse into the impact of your generosity.
How you can make your own impact at NMSU
There are more ways to support NMSU than you might think. Explore how you can make an impact.