The Foundation solicits annual donations through a giving campaign that receives support from alumni, faculty, staff, corporations, foundations, Board members and other friends of the College. This support helps to advance the mission of Charter Oak State College.

Several gift options are available to you for making a financial contribution to Charter Oak State College. They include:

• an outright contribution by cash or check 
• securities (stocks, bonds, or mutual funds)
• planned gifts (bequests and various charitable gift trust arrangements)

A contribution to the Fund is an investment in the students and future of Charter Oak State College. Make a Gift here.

Annual Fund

The largest percentage of the Annual Fund goes directly for student grants which are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated financial need and those with unique family obligations.  As the number of students seeking financial assistance grows, the Foundation continues to raise funds to assist these students. Additional funds support the development of new online courses and other program innovations.

Endowed Funds

Contributions made to the endowment are prudently invested and managed by the Foundation’s Investment Committee. The principal is preserved and grows so that the endowment will generate funds in perpetuity.

Endowment Overview

A gift of any amount may be made to the General Endowment Fund.  The use of the gift will be  at the discretion of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The Foundation may approve the establishment of special purpose endowment funds upon the receipt of gifts or commitments that meet the approved funding levels and criteria established for the endowment.  There are several types of endowments. The most commonly accepted are:

Endowed Professorships – An endowed academic professorship may be established to support a faculty consultant with a minimum commitment not less than $25,000.

Scholarship or Grants – An endowed scholarship or need-based grant may be established with a minimum commitment of not less than $10,000.

Others – The Foundation will work with prospective donors on the terms and conditions of other endowment funds, provided they support the mission of Charter Oak State College. An endowment may be established with a minimum commitment of $10,000.

In all cases, the establishment of an endowed fund requires the approval of the Foundation Board.

Named Gifts for Scholarships or Grants

1. Named funds established with a contribution of $10,000 or more (endowment).

   A. The endowment will retain the initial name indefinitely unless otherwise stated in the terms of the endowment.
   
   B. The interest will be used each year for a scholarship or grant according to the criteria stated in the terms of the endowment.
   
   C. Additional contributions can continue to be made to the fund.

2. Named endowment funds established with $2,000 or more.

   A. The minimum contribution to establish a named endowment fund is $2,000. The fund will stay active as long as a contribution is made each year or the fund reaches a total of $10,000. If additional contributions are not received in any given year and the fund has not reached $10,000, then the money will revert to the general Foundation endowment.
   
   B. If the fund remains active, the interest will accumulate.  When the fund reaches $10,000, the endowment will retain the initial name and the interest will be used for the purposes stated in the terms of the endowment.
   
   C. Additional contributions can continue to be made to the fund after it reaches $10,000.

3. Any contributions of less than $2,000 will go into the General Endowment Fund. If the total contributions from an individual or his/her family reach $10,000, then the funds may be transferred into category 2A above, if the donor so desires.

Return to Top