Endowments
Create a lasting legacy at Seattle University with an endowment gift. Support scholarships, programs, or faculty positions to help the university grow and innovate.
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Endowments: Creating a Lasting Impact at Seattle University
Endowments are a powerful way to create a lasting legacy while advancing Seattle University’s mission, vision and values. These permanent funds provide enduring support that helps the university attract and retain outstanding students and faculty, strengthen academic excellence, and foster innovation across schools, colleges and programs for generations to come.
No matter where your passion lies, there is an area of Seattle University that can benefit from an endowed gift. Donors may establish a named endowed fund to support scholarships, academic programs and activities, or faculty positions such as professorships and endowed chairs. University Advancement staff are available to help define your fund’s purpose and discuss giving options that align with your philanthropic goals and financial objectives.
Named endowed funds may be established with gifts of $50,000 or more. Endowments can be funded through cash, appreciated securities or other approved assets, and pledges may be fulfilled over a period of up to five years. Donors may also create an endowment through a planned gift or bequest, ensuring their support of Seattle University continues well into the future.
Facts about theSeattle University Endowment
Individual donor-funded endowments make up the Seattle University Endowment (as of June 30, 2025).
2025 Endowment Market Value
What this fund is worth if you were to sell its investments
Endowment Distributions
Fund programs & initiatives, tech, research, professorships, dept. chairs & more
Endowment Types, Funding Requirements and Options
| Endowment Type |
Description | University Minimum |
Estimated Annual Distribution @4.5% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endowed Program Support Fund |
Unrestricted support for a department, program, school, college or Seattle University at large (may include programming, stipends, travel, publications, etc.) |
$50,000 | $2,250 |
| Endowed Research Acceleration Fund |
Broad-based support for research in a particular area, discipline or topic (research support, travel, publication and other expenses for faculty or students related to research) |
$50,000 | $2,250 |
| Endowment Type | Description | University Minimum | Estimated Annual Distribution @4.5% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endowed Scholarship (undergraduate and graduate) |
Tuition, books, fees and other educational expenses |
$100,000 | $4,500 |
| Endowment Type | Description | University Minimum | Estimated Annual Distribution @4.5% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endowed Faculty Fellowship |
Broad-based, direct support for faculty (campus initiatives, research support, travel, conference fees, etc.) | $100,000 | $4,500 |
| Endowed Professorship | Portion of salary and related academic and/or research support for faculty holders | $1M | $45,000 |
| Endowed Chair | Full or substantial portion of salary and related academic and/or research support for faculty holders (does not include start-up cost) | $3M | $135,000 |
| Endowed Deanship | Full or substantial portion of salary and related support for holder’s school or college market value | Market value | Market value |
From an Endowment Donor
Evelyn Eng, ’81
“It’s a good way for me to give back to Hawaii, to students of need there, and give them the opportunity to get the benefits I received at SU. It is also a good way to give back to SU for the solid college education and experience.”
Where Endowments Make a Difference
From Cleats to the Classroom
Harry Arnold, ’72, ’85 MBA, and family honor soccer roots and engineering education with a $1 million endowed scholarship to support SU men’s soccer.
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Beloved Professor Inspires Civil Engineering Scholarship
Endowed scholarship supports the next generation of engineering leaders.
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Scholarship Spotlight: A Lasting Tribute
Funding supports the education of caring, compassionate health care professionals.
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Accounting for Sustainability
Professor Valentina Zamora’s transformative leadership as the David E. Tinius Endowed Professor.
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Contact Us
We can answer your questions about creating or supporting an endowment at Seattle University.
Greg Ross
Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship