Endowments

Gifts to the endowment are a wonderful way to demonstrate your support and enthusiasm for Middle Tennessee State University. By creating an endowed fund, you make a gift that will support MTSU in perpetuity. A minimum gift of $25,000 is required to establish a new endowment. The endowment is managed by the MTSU Foundation Board Finance Committee. The committee currently uses a long term investment strategy of earning a total average return of 9%, of which 4.5% is given annually to the designated project, 1% is used for management fees, and the balance is returned to the principal of each fund in order to grow the account and keep pace with inflation over time.

Endowed funds may be created for scholarships, fellowships, lectureships, professorships, chairs, and many other educational purposes. You will have the opportunity to name the endowed fund. Donors often use this occasion to honor and memorialize loved ones. Once you and the university have agreed on the distinct purpose of the fund, you can be confident that MTSU will follow your expressed wishes throughout the life of the endowment.

Endowed Faculty Positions

Attracting and retaining the best faculty is a top priority for Middle Tennessee State University. Distinguished faculty committed to scholarship and excellence in teaching stimulate our students and bring honor to the institution. We are committed to providing our faculty with the resources they need to carry out their mission. Several types of endowments exist to assist faculty.

• Endowed Chairs of Excellence are reserved for the most exceptional professors in their respective field. Income from the endowment permanently supports the academic pursuits of the chair holder and provides supplementary funds for such uses as lab equipment, course development, technological enhancements, and scholarly travel.
  Endowment of $2.5 million
  Estimated annual spendable return: $112,500
• Endowed Chairs honor and sustain faculty who have distinguished themselves in their professions. Income from the endowment permanently supports the academic pursuits of the chair holder and provides supplementary funds for such uses as lab equipment, course development, technological enhancements, and scholarly travel.
  Endowment of $1 million
  Estimated annual spendable return: $45,000
• Endowed Professorships provide permanent departmental support or academic enhancement funds for outstanding faculty.
  Endowment of $100,000
  Estimated annual spendable return: $4,500

Endowed Student Support

Scholarships and fellowships help MTSU attract the most gifted scholars and allow us to provide critical financial support to low-income students. Several options exist for donors wishing to establish an endowment benefitting students.

• Endowed Graduate Fellowships help MTSU recruit outstanding students to our master's and doctoral programs.
  Endowment of $100,000
  Estimated annual spendable return: $4,500
• Endowed Centennial Scholarships commemorate MTSU's centennial and are awarded to elite undergraduate students.
  Endowment of $100,000
  Estimated annual spendable return: $4,500
• Endowed Position Scholarships permanently endow a position on a Blue Raider athletics team by providing tuition for one scholar-athlete.
  Endowment of $100,000
  Estimated annual spendable return: $4,500
• Endowed Leadership Performance Scholarships provide approximately half tuition support to undergraduates demonstrating excellence in and out of the classroom.
  Endowment of $40,000
  Estimated annual spendable return: $1,800