Thanks to the generosity of many EMU alumni and friends, over 300 endowed scholarships have been established to benefit current undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students (click here to view a sample endowed scholarship proposal). Program endowments have been established in education, business, conflict transformation, evangelism and church planting (EMS), Honors program for undergraduates, etc. Chairs have been established at EMU for the departments of biology, business, language and literature, education and seminary.

If you (as an individual or along with family and friends) have interest in establishing an endowed scholarship, program endowment or endowed chair, please call one of EMU's associate directors of development at 1-800-368-3383.

Guidelines for student financial assistance endowments

Amount
The minimum amount to establish a student financial assistance endowment is $50,000. Funding is to be completed within six years unless a deferred charitable gift or bequest documentation has been received by EMU. Funds with less than $50,000 after a period of time may revert to an established endowed student loan, grant or scholarship fund. Donors are encouraged to continue adding to the endowment yearly and/or by bequest, deferred charitable gifts or estate planning.

Acceptance
All student financial assistance endowments must meet institutional priorities and are subject to approval by the president and vice president for enrollment management. Trustees will periodically take action to accept endowments that have been established for EMU.

Selection
When the contributed funds have reached $10,000, the Financial Assistance Office will select qualified students meeting eligibility criteria. Awards will be made in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.

Management and Investment
EMU endowment funds are managed and invested under guidelines developed by the Mennonite Board of Education and the Board of Trustees of EMU. Income payout rates are set at levels intended to preserve the future purchasing power of the endowment principal and to protect against erosion by inflation.

Reports
An endowment activity and award report will be sent to the contact person upon request listed on development office records.

Review
Twenty years after the date of this agreement and at periodic intervals thereafter, the endowment agreement will be reviewed by the EMU administration and Trustees with the possibility of reallocation of the endowment earnings and/or principal in light of the then current mission and purpose of EMU. In making that review, the administration and Trustees will consider stated interests of the sponsor along with the priorities and needs of the institution at that time.

Policy
The trustees of Eastern Mennonite University reserve the right to modify these guidelines from time to time. Endowment agreements will be administered pursuant to these guidelines as periodically revised.

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Guidelines for academic program endowments

Amount
The minimum amount to establish an academic program endowment is $250,000. Funding is to be completed within ten years unless a deferred charitable gift or bequest documentation has been received. Funds with less than $50,000 after a period of time may revert to an established endowed academic program. Donors are encouraged to continue adding to the endowment yearly and/or by bequest, deferred charitable gifts or estate planning.

Acceptance
All academic program endowments must meet institutional priorities and are subject to approval by the respective academic dean and the president. Trustees will periodically take action to accept endowments that have been established for EMU.

Endowment Earnings Use
When the fund balance has reached $10,000, the specified academic program endowment earnings will become available for use. The respective academic dean and assigned program administrator will coordinate the use of program endowment earnings.

Management and Investment
EMU endowment funds are managed and invested under guidelines developed by the Mennonite Board of Education and the Board of Trustees of EMU. Income payout rates are set at levels intended to preserve the future purchasing power of the endowment principal and to protect against erosion by inflation.

Reports
An endowment activity and earnings report will be sent to the respective dean and/or the contact person listed on development office records.

Review and Policy
Same as for student financial assistance endowments.

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Guidelines for chair endowments

Amount
The minimum amount to establish a chair endowment is $1,000,000. Funding is to be completed within ten years unless a deferred charitable gift or bequest documentation has been received. Funds with less than $250,000 after a period of time may revert to an established endowed program. Donors are encouraged to continue adding to this endowment yearly through cash and pledges and/or by bequest, deferred charitable gifts or estate planning.

Acceptance
All chair endowments must meet institutional priorities and are subject to approval by the respective academic dean and the president. Trustees will periodically take action to accept endowments that have been established for EMU.

Endowment Earnings Use
When the fund balance has reached $25,000, chair endowment earnings will become available for use. The respective academic dean and assigned program administrator will coordinate the use of chair endowment earnings.

Management and Investment
EMU endowment funds are managed and invested under guidelines developed by the Mennonite Board of Education and the Board of Trustees of EMU. Income payout rates are set at levels intended to preserve the future purchasing power of the endowment principal and to protect against erosion by inflation.

Reports
An endowment activity and earnings report will be sent to the respective dean and/or the contact person listed on development office records.

Review and Policy
Same as for student financial assistance endowments.

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