Capital Gifts
For three centuries Yale has grown and prospered thanks to significant capital gifts from alumni and friends. Capital gifts to Yale ensure a strong permanent endowment, help to build and restore campus facilities, and sustain a comprehensive range of academic programs. The current market value of the Yale endowment ($22.5 billion as of June 2007) derives in large measure from gifts from alumni and friends; since 1950, an estimated 75 percent of endowment growth has come from a combination of new gifts and their subsequent investment performance. Yale's academic distinction and its institutional stability are a reflection of the generosity of its dedicated supporters.
For more information on the history of capital giving, see A Tradition of Giving.
What are Capital Gifts?
Donors who choose to make capital gifts can direct their support toward a specific purpose that matches their personal interests with the needs and priorities of the University. Such purposes include facilities, financial aid, faculty support and academic programs. Capital gifts may also lead to recognition opportunities, which honor or memorialize a person of the donor's choosing. Capital gifts fall into the following categories:
Endowment Gifts.
Gifts toward endowment are invested by the University, and the income from the gift is directed toward a purpose selected by the donor. Only the income from the principal is expended in accordance with the University's spending rule, so that the gift continues in perpetuity, helping to safeguard Yale's tradition of excellence against changing economic climates. Endowment opportunities include scholarships, professorships, and funds to support teaching.
For more information on gifts to endowed funds, please click here.
Restricted Current Use Gifts.
Restricted current use funds are directed toward a purpose designated by the donor, such as the rebuilding of Yale's magnificent campus or the creation of term financial aid funds. The principal of a current use gift is depleted over a specified term.
Unrestricted Current Use Gifts.
Gifts toward unrestricted current use support the day-to-day operations of the University, including buildings and grounds maintenance, student activities, general financial aid, teaching, and research.
For information on directing capital gifts to specific purposes, see Impact of Giving.
For more information about capital giving, please contact
Yale Office of Development:
P.O.Box 2038
New Haven, CT 06521-2038
(800) 395-7646
Fax: (203) 432-5685
e-mail: development.gifts@yale.edu
To consult a staff directory, please see Staff Contacts.
Planned gifts provide an opportunity for donors to structure long-term deferred gifts in ways that are beneficial both to the donor and to Yale. For more information, see Planned Gifts.
