Endowing a Fund

Hundreds of Hamilton alumni, parents, and friends have generously endowed funds that support our students, honor our faculty, establish new programs, and enhance the beauty of our campus. In so doing, they have established legacies that enrich Hamilton and honor their affection for the College.

Hamilton’s endowment consists of different types of funds. Each requires a minimum investment to ensure appropriate spending is available for the donor’s intended purpose.

If you're interested in endowing a fund, please contact Julie Gederos.

Endowing a Fund: A Donor Story

Upon reaching his 60th reunion, Richard “Dick” Stebbins ’64 chose to honor the ways Hamilton shaped his life both professionally and personally. He and his wife, Jane, have pledged $1.5 million to fund The Dick and Jane Stebbins Distinguished Visiting Professor of Applied Mathematics.

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Student Scholarships

Endowed scholarships ensure that financial aid will be available to future generations of deserving students.

Minimum Funding Levels

Professorships

Endowed professorships honor Hamilton’s most distinguished professors.

Minimum Funding Levels

Experiential Learning

Endowed funds support student research, internships, and other vital learning opportunities.

Minimum Funding Levels

Lectures, Library, Special Purpose

Endowed funds support special programs and foundational purposes.

Minimum Funding Levels

Professorship Fund Minimums

Distinguished professorships are extremely competitive and highly coveted among the faculty who have achieved full professor status. Only a select few are awarded this prestigious honor, which not only recognizes their exceptional contributions but also provides a significant professional distinction. Recipients benefit from financial stipends, and the distinguished title enhances their resumes and professional biographies, underscoring their expertise and leadership in the field. Endowing a fund at this level results in an indescribable impact on the college and its continued success.

Professorships provide a distinction among the faculty who have been promoted to full professor. Those who receive this honor are recognized for their contributions and are rewarded with a financial stipend. The title is often included in resumes and biographies, highlighting the recipient’s experience and expertise. Since professorships are budget relieving, the department is able to allocate funds to other deserving areas to bolster the department. Endowing a fund at this level creates a long-standing legacy not only for the donor, but also the beneficiaries.

Mid-career professorships offer a prestigious distinction for tenured associate professors, celebrating their achievements and supporting their continued growth as leaders in their fields. These professorships play a vital role in retaining exceptional talent, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of academic excellence. By creating an endowed fund at this level, donors make a lasting impact, strengthening departments and ensuring stability and excellence within the faculty for generations to come.

Early-career professorships are competitive and provide critical support to tenure-track assistant professors during the formative years of their careers (1-7 years). By helping faculty on the tenure track, donors play a pivotal role in ensuring that talented individuals have the resources and recognition they need to achieve tenure.

Visiting professorships offer a valuable opportunity for the College to bring in expert scholars who can enrich the academic community with their unique perspectives. These positions allow departments to expand their offerings and provide students with a wider range of courses and experiences. Visiting professors help to reinvigorate the curriculum and enhance students' learning by bringing fresh ideas and specialized knowledge to the classroom.

Additional Fund Minimums

Fund Type	Needed to Endow
Full-Tuition Scholarship More than half of Hamilton’s students receive financial aid. Generously and thoughtfully, a full-tuition scholarship would cover the cost of tuition for one student.	$1.3 million
Named Special Scholarship Like general scholarships, special scholarships are awarded based on a student's demonstrated financial need and may include a preference if desired and agreed upon between the donor and the College.	$250,000
Named General Scholarship General scholarships are awarded solely based on a student's demonstrated financial need.	$100,000
Faculty/Student Research Collaboration Provides support for research in any discipline, including collaborative study with Hamilton professors and students.	$100,000
Career Exploration/Internships Provides support for students’ career-related internships, either unpaid or minimally paid, usually during the summer months.	$100,000
Special Purpose These funds provide a source of revenue to the College for a specific purpose, e.g., building restoration, art purchase or preservation, programmatic support, etc. The fund's purpose is defined by the donor in consultation and agreement with the College.	$100,000

When creating a new fund, Hamilton’s development staff members work closely with donors to ensure that both the donor’s intent and the College’s long-term needs are met. The capital necessary to establish an endowed fund at Hamilton may be provided through:

outright gifts of cash,
stocks or appreciated securities,
real property, or
personal property, such as important works of art, rare books, manuscripts, or antiques.

Gifts to attain a specified fund minimum may be completed immediately or over time (up to five years), as well as through an estate plan.

For more information, please contact Julie Gederos.