Endowment Association’s Greater KU Fund provides for numerous short-term projects at KU

Kansas University Endowment Association leaders say donations that aren’t marked for specific uses have great value and help fill major needs, from the classroom to KU’s outreach in the state.

“They are valuable just because of the flexibility they provide the university and the endowment association,” said Drue Jennings, chairman of the KU Endowment Board of Trustees and executive counsel.

Jennings said money donated to the Greater KU Fund is available for opportunities that might arise on short notice, and Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little can make a request to the executive committee for approval.

Last year the committee approved a $2.28 million request from the fund to pay for a consultant firm to help review administrative practices and identify cost savings. He said other examples of requests include chances to purchase a property that might arise to fit in with the university’s strategic growth, he said.

“They are often things you can’t plan for a long time in advance,” Jennings said.

According to the endowment association, during KU’s 2010 fiscal year more than 3,800 KU alumni and friends donated to the Greater KU Fund. During last year the fund provided $10.3 million including for:

  • Financial aid to more than 1,000 undergraduate students.
  • Scholarships for students studying abroad.
  • 20 annual teaching awards, 12 teaching professorships and three faculty awards.
  • Support for alumni association programs and undergraduate research.
  • Recruitment efforts of undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Assistance at KU’s research libraries.
  • KU’s presence at the Kansas State Fair.
  • The annual Wheat State Tour, where faculty and administrators travel to learn about the state.
  • Performances, programming and commissions of new works at the Lied Center.
  • Programs for students and families in special events such as Commencement, Homecoming, Family Weekend and Band Day.

Jennings said donations to the Greater KU Fund are usually done on a short-term, cash-equivalent basis, but they still help fill certain needs KU has.

“There’s a screening process,” he said. “I think it has served everyone well so far.”