Named Funds

One of the most popular ways to help students and the school is through a named fund, which can be set up by an individual or a group of donors.  These funds often have a specific purpose based on the intent of the donor to help students and support numerous programs at the school.  These funds are also a way for donors to maintain personal contact with students.

A&F oversees nearly 130 named, or endowed, funds that provide grants, scholarships and other benefits to the school and its students.  An endowed fund is typically given in the name of the donor, friend, former faculty member, relative, or the donor’s graduating class.  The scholarships from these funds are made on the basis of need, talent or any other legal criteria in accordance with the donor’s wishes.  Each year, the faculty recommends a student that meets the fund’s criteria and each of these recommendations are vetted through the Grant Committee of the A&F Board.

The scholarships are given to students at the end of the year at a ceremony.  Each student who receives an award is asked to write to the donor and provide a picture and samples of his or her work, if possible.  We have seen many heartfelt and grateful letters that donors have received.

We strive to retain the fund’s principal through careful investment management and we expect these scholarships to be awarded in perpetuity.

Here’s how to set up a new fund.

A new fund will not be considered endowed – that is, no awards will be made – until it is funded to a total of $10,000.  A minimum contribution of $1,000 is necessary to initiate a new “fund-in-formation.”  A&F will aggregate and manage funds-in-formation for two years from the date of the initial contribution.  If the fund reaches the $10,000 minimum by that time, it will be considered permanently endowed and scholarship grants will commence.  If it has not reached that level, the funds will be transferred into the A&F’s general endowment, which grants scholarships annually to the school and its students, unless the donor requests the return of his or her contribution.

If you'd like to establish a “named” scholarship fund download the instructions and application (PDF) or feel free to please contact Barbara Engel, Executive Director at the A&F office to discuss the arrangements.