Endowment vs The Whitman Fund

Understanding The Whitman Fund & Whitman’s Endowments

Your generosity is a powerful force at Whitman. It creates opportunities, sparks connections and helps transform the lives of our students. Whether you choose to make an immediate impact through The Whitman Fund or build a lasting legacy through Whitman’s endowments, your gift matters. This quick guide helps explain how you can empower students today and for generations to come.

The Whitman Fund: Immediate Impact

• What it is: The fund is designed for immediate use that directly support the college’s most pressing needs and opportunities each year.
• How it works: 100% of your gift is spent during the year to bridge the gap between tuition/endowment revenue and the actual cost of a Whitman education.
• Its purpose: The Whitman Fund helps the college be agile and responsive. Along with scholarships and aid, gifts support student research, internships, athletics, arts and opportunities that arise during the year.
• What it isn’t for: Providing a long-term source of revenue for the college.
• The bottom line: Gifts to The Whitman Fund are for immediate impact. They are a commitment to our current students.

Whitman’s Endowments: A Lasting Legacy

• What it is: A permanent savings account for the college, made up of thousands of individual funds invested for long-term growth. 
• How it works: Gifts are invested, and a portion of the annual return (a 5% draw) is used to fund the operating budget. This preserves the principal and ensures stability for generations to come.
• Its purpose: To ensure Whitman’s long-term financial health by funding nearly half the annual budget, such as salaries and financial aid.
• What it isn’t for: Providing flexible, immediate-use funds for emerging and changing needs.
• The bottom line: Gifts to the endowment are for forever. They are a promise to future generations of Whitties.