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About endowment funds

Endowed funds can be unrestricted, providing a resource that can be used to meet current college priorities and exciting new opportunities as they arise, or they can be designated for specific purposes, such as scholarships, professorships and chairs, academic programs, or facility and grounds maintenance.

Donors who choose to create an endowment have an opportunity to support Young Harris College both during their lifetime and for generations to come. Many choose to establish an endowed fund to honor a loved one or to memorialize an important figure in their life, ensuring that their name and generosity will forever be a guiding force in YHC’s success.

How endowments work

Your initial investment is placed in the College’s endowment fund, which is managed for maximum return, and can be made in one lump sum or in increments over a pre-determined period of time. The initial gift is invested, and a portion (typically about 5%) of the fund’s market value is awarded annually for the purpose designated by the benefactor. Using only the yield on investment ensures the perpetuity of the original gift.

You may designate your endowment gift as unrestricted support or establish guidelines for how your gift to an endowed fund may be used. For example, scholarship guidelines may include students with a demonstrated financial need, a certain minimum grade point average or even those from a specific geographic location.

For more information about endowed giving, contact the Office of Advancement at (706) 379-5173.

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Endowment opportunities

Endowment Opportunity: Distinguished Chair
Minimum Gift: $1,000,000

Endowment Opportunity: Chair
Minimum Gift: $500,000

Endowment Opportunity: Professorship
Minimum Gift: $250,000

Endowment Opportunity: Scholarship
Minimum Gift: $25,000

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Endowed Century Club

You can also support Young Harris College by giving to already established endowed scholarships and funds.

One example is the Endowed Century Club, which was established in 1977 and recognizes alumni and friends of Young Harris College who make a gift of $2,000 to an endowed fund that supports activities and programming of the College’s Office of Alumni Engagement. Contributors become lifetime members of the club.