Why Give to Elon?

Tuition only covers 75% of the cost of an Elon education, and the university relies on private support to close that gap. Private support comes in the form of annual gifts, gifts to the endowment, capital gifts and life income and estate gifts.

Annual Gifts

All annual unrestricted gifts go directly into the operating budget to fund the best of an Elon education — small classes, superb faculty, scholarships, outstanding facilities, the latest technology, study abroad, internships and other hands-on learning opportunities. 100% of annual gifts are spent each year.

Endowment Gifts

Because they are invested and grow over time, gifts to the endowment have a lasting impact on the quality of an Elon education and guarantee the university’s long-term success. Income from endowment gifts supports endowed professorships, which enable Elon to recruit expert faculty, and endowed scholarships, which make an Elon education affordable to students from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

Elon’s $79.9 million endowment is far below the endowments of our peer institutions.

Capital Gifts

Capital gifts enhance education by providing Elon students with some of the finest facilities in the nation, including Belk Library, Rhodes Stadium, Belk Track, Alan and Norma White Field and the Academic Village. Capital gifts are crucial to Elon’s ability to build and maintain excellent facilities.

Life Income and Estate Gifts

Life income and estate gifts, also known as planned gifts, allow donors to leave a legacy for the future, provide for loved ones and help sustain quality education at Elon by building the endowment. Some planned gifts can also give donors an income for life and substantial tax benefits.