The Role and Importance of Cornell’s Endowment

January 19, 2016

Last summer, at a dinner in Chicago with several alumni, one alumnus expressed his strong hope that I would demystify the endowment for all Cornellians. After all, he noted, Cornell’s endowment is vital to the Cornell of today and to the Cornell of the future. He just wasn’t sure that “people really get it” what it is and what it does. The purpose of this white paper is to explain the endowment in a manner that is approachable for all (as written by a French Literature and History major!). Ultimately, it is of paramount importance that we understand the role that the endowment plays, what it accomplishes, and why we must remain focused on its growth as a part of achieving comprehensive growth at Cornell College. Perhaps the best way to begin is by sharing examples of two Cornellians whose lives have been changed by the gift of endowed funds.

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California Association of School Business Officials

The California Association of School Business Officials, the leader in school business, is dedicated to promoting this excellence and professionalism throughout the field of school business management.

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