Giving Opportunities
Endowments
Spartan...For Life
Endowments are an ideal way for donors to leave an ever-lasting legacy with MSU and to provide a perpetual source of funding for scholarships, programs, and/or coaching.
Pooled and invested as one Common Investment Fund through the MSU Foundation, endowments provide a perpetual source of income over an infinite time horizon with the goal of maintaining the value in real terms. A portion of this annual income is distributed in accordance with guidelines set by the donor.
How An Endowment Works
Donor-funded endowments at the university work much like a mutual fund—each new fund is assigned shares or units in the university's Common Investment Fund (CIF) at the previous quarter's market value. When a fund is established for a specific purpose (such as scholarships, program assistance, etc.) the available income, distributed according to the spending policy, is directed to that purpose. The annual income distribution is allocated to each endowment account in the overall investment pool based on the number of shares assigned to the account as of July 1 of the given year.
Any earnings above the spending rate are retained in the investment account to steadily grow the endowment and support earning potential.
The endowment is carefully managed to ensure funds are available in perpetuity; only a small percentage ( 4.8 percent distribution, effective July 1, 2025) of the market value is spent each year, so that the endowment—and legacy of our donors—endures for the life of the university.
Here is an example on how the endowment and policy work together to make a difference:
Based on an average investment return of 6.8 percent, a $100,000 endowment established July 1, 2001, for scholarships, now has a market value of approximately $156,928 as of June 30, 2021, after having provided scholarships totaling $111,272 over the 20-year period.
How you can make an endowment gift
There are many ways to establish an endowment, and the arrangements for every gift can be personalized to fit your specific needs. Gifts of cash and securities are traditional forms of support; however, planned gifts including bequests, charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts may allow you to make significant contributions that may not otherwise be possible during your lifetime. All endowment gifts are 100% tax deductible.
For more information, please contact Spartan Fund directly.
Scholarship Endowments
Undergraduate
tuition & fees
In-state fees
TWO SEMESTERS (12-18 CREDITS/SEMESTER)
Out-of-state fees
TWO SEMESTERS (12-18 CREDITS/SEMESTER)
Tuition
$16,118
$43,502
Fees & Taxes
$408
$408
Food & Housing
$12,564
$12,564
Books & Supplies
$1,380
$1,380
Personal/misc.
$3,838
$3,838
Travel
$1,280
$1,280
Total
$26,490
$52,302
Scholarship Endowment Opportunities
Named fully-funded scholarship
To name and fully endow a scholarship: $500,000 (in-state) or $1,000,000 (out of state)
Named athletic scholarship
To name a partial scholarship in a specific sport: $50,000-$499,000
Ralph young endowment
Gifts of less than $50,000 will become part of the Ralph Young Endowment
Program Endowments
Often times, a well-supported program endowment differentiates a struggling program from a great program that consistently competes on a national level. A program endowment is the essence of any intercollegiate athletic department that seeks perpetual excellence in all its sports. MSU Athletics aims to establish program endowments for our intercollegiate varsity sports. Gifts to a program endowment ensure perpetual support, laying the foundation for funding of operational expenses that are so vital to build and sustain championship programs.
Investing today ensures the success of tomorrow. With your help, MSU athletic programs will be in a position to succeed and consistently compete for championships well into the future.
Coaching Endowments
Leaders and educators. Legendary coaches like Duffy Daugherty, Ron Mason, Mark Dantonio, and Tom Izzo have all made their mark on MSU Athletics by achieving success, but more importantly, mentoring thousands of student-athletes. Today's MSU coaches follow in the footsteps of those historic figures and have found success of their own.
Coaching continuity is so important to recruiting elite-level student-athletes. By establishing an endowment to support the salaries of our coaches, we can assure that we can meet and respond appropriately to the daily standards being set for intercollegiate coaching salaries. In turn, you have the opportunity to name your chosen coaching position to further demonstrate—and personalize—your commitment to MSU Athletics.
Coaching Endowment Opportunities
Head football coach
Head men's basketball coach
Head women's basketball coach
Head coach (all other sports)
Assistant coach (football, men's basketball, ice hockey)
How you can make an endowment gift
There are many ways to establish an endowment, and the arrangements for every gift can be personalized to fit your specific needs. Gifts of cash and securities are traditional forms of support; however, planned gifts including bequests, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts may allow you to make significant contributions that may not otherwise be possible during your lifetime. All endowment gifts are 100% tax deductible.
For more information, please contact Spartan Fund directly.