A donor makes a $50,000 gift to establish a named endowed scholarship in memory of her husband for a chosen college at UH.
The University of Houston System relies on endowed gifts to provide a sustainable foundation for recruiting and supporting the best students and faculty, leading innovative research and building a dynamic Athletics program. These efforts shape our city, state and nation.
“To have an endowment is a point of pride for faculty . . .”
While all gifts to UH System contribute to the forward momentum and progress of our universities, endowments are a lasting investment that offer a perpetual source of funding. When you make an endowed gift to UHS, the funds are invested, and a portion of the income earned is distributed annually to support your endowment’s designated purpose.
The investment strategy and distribution policy are determined by the University of Houston Board of Regents. The endowment distribution rate ranges from 4% to 5%, providing annual support while also prudently safeguarding the principal investment.
*UH-Victoria is no longer part of the UH System as of September 1,2025
Endowments are a vital source of financial stability for the University of Houston System. Generous support through endowed funds enabled us to distribute more than $43 million in the 2024-25 academic year for scholarships, faculty and student research and program costs. Endowments preserve the tradition of an affordable, world-class education that has always been at the heart of the experience at the University of Houston System.
“It’s very important for people like us to be part of the University of Houston so that the coming generation can benefit — just like we benefited from other people’s generosity. There is nothing that pleases me more than to have the ability to give back to my college and university.”
5-year average market performance 9.1%
The following provides an example of how an endowed gift works:
A donor makes a $50,000 gift to establish a named endowed scholarship in memory of her husband for a chosen college at UH.
The gift is invested in our pooled endowment, managed by an independent investment manager and retained by the UH System Board of Regents.
A portion of the income earned is distributed annually* to provide scholarship funding, per the gift agreement instructions.
The remainder of the income earned, minus endowment management fees, is reinvested in the named fund’s principal to protect against inflation and to generate growth.
The corpus of the original gift remains intact.
*In order to both preserve the corpus of the original gift and sustain an annual distribution, an endowment must be fully funded for at least one year to be eligible for any distribution.
Review the chart below to see the minimum levels required to create endowments that benefit University of Houston students, faculty and research. The intended purpose and function of the fund determine its minimum funding levels. Contributions toward an endowment can be made in installments for up to five years.
| Scholarships | Endowment Minimum (Effective September 1, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Scholarships | $50,000 |
| Graduate Fellowships | $100,000 |
| Faculty Position | Endowment Minimum (Effective September 1, 2024) |
| Aspire Chair* | $2 million |
| Chair | $2 million |
| Aspire Professorship* | $1 million |
| Professorship | $1 million |
| College Professorship | $500,000 |
*The minimum investment for endowing an Aspire Chair or Aspire Professorship is not subject to the Sept. 1, 2024 minimum Increase.
To learn more about making an endowment gift at the University of Houston, please contact Russell Dunlavy, vice president for Advancement and Alumni, at 713.743.4209.
Endowed chairs and professorships are the most prestigious accolades for faculty members, honoring both the donor and the person recognized. These endowed positions drive innovative research, teaching excellence and global collaboration among scholars. To maintain the momentum of this think-tank, we stand behind our brilliant faculty as they tirelessly seek knowledge and uncover new insights.
In the case of endowed chairs and professorships, income from endowment may be used to further scholarly and research endeavors at the University of Houston.
Our primary goal at the University of Houston is to support student success, and it is our mission to help students thrive. We are committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their financial or family background, can graduate from college. To achieve this, our efforts are focused on eliminating barriers and promoting successful recruitment, retention and graduation rates among our students.
The most pressing barrier we address is financial hardship. Our approach includes increasing scholarship opportunities, minimizing lost credit hours and freezing tuition rates despite inflationary pressures. As a result of these efforts, the average debt carried by our students upon graduation has decreased.
Endowed scholarships provide students with the necessary resources to enroll and succeed at UHS. Studies conducted by the University show that 87% of scholarship recipients remain at the University, graduate on time and have higher overall grade point averages. Endowing a scholarship is an excellent way to ensure that your legacy at UHS continues to make an impact on the lives of students for generations to come.
As authorized by the University of Houston Board of Regents, the University will annually assess a reasonable fee against the assets of the endowed fund to offset expenses associated with gift management and stewardship at the University. The administrative fee assessed to funds in fiscal year 2025 was 1.0%.