21st Century Graduate
Fellowship Endowment
Fellowship Match Doubles the Impact
of Gifts
Gifts of $25,000 or more that are designated to endow graduate
fellowships may be eligible for matching through the 21st
Century Graduate Fellowship Endowment. This unique matching
fund doubles the impact of the gifts for fellowships.
Fulfilling a Critical Need
Graduate students are an indispensable part of the intellectual fabric
of a great research university such as the University of Minnesota.
They conduct experiments and do field research, assist faculty in research
and teaching, and facilitate the movement of ideas from the lab to
the marketplace. The recruitment of high quality graduate students
is a key piece in ensuring that the University remains among the world's
top institutions in many fields. But competition for students is intense.
To strengthen our ability to attract top students, we must increase
the level of financial support that we can offer.
How this Opportunity Was Created
The 21st Century Graduate Fellowship Endowment was made possible as a
result of the licensing agreement with Glaxo Wellcome PLC, a pharmaceutical
company. The endowment is created through royalties generated by worldwide
sales of Ziagen, an AIDS drug that contains antiviral compounds created
by researchers in the U's College of Pharmacy. The research team was
led by Professor Robert Vince, who patented the discovery that was
licensed to Glaxo Wellcome.
Eligibility for Using the Matching
Funds
The new endowment fund is available to match gifts supporting fellowships
in the 185 graduate programs administered by the university's Graduate
School. Nearly 10,000 students are enrolled in these programs. Gifts
must be at least $25,000 and designated for endowment to be matched.
Deferred gifts are not eligible for the match. Donations may be made
by individuals or groups of individuals. The match will start once
the endowment reaches $25,000.
How Does the Match Work?
Your gift of $25,000 or more will be used to establish an
endowment fund. This means that the principal of the gift
will be invested, and a percent of the returns, usually 5.5
percent, will be used to support a fellowship in the program
you have chosen. This is called the payout. The 21st Century
Graduate Endowment Fund will match the payout to the program
you have designated, thereby doubling the impact of your gift.
The principal of your gift remains intact and any investment
returns remaining after the payout are added to the principal
to increase the value of your gift and protect against inflation.
For more information
The development officer for the unit, program or campus you
are interested in supporting can provide more information
about this matching opportunity and whether your gift is eligible.
You may also call the University of Minnesota Foundation at
612-624-3333.
|
