Annual Fund FAQs and key takeaways
Learn more about why Annual Fund gifts matter and how they deliver immediate impact across the university.
What’s the difference between the Annual Fund and the endowment?
The Annual Fund provides essential, flexible dollars that can be used immediately to meet the university’s greatest needs — everything from financial assistance to laboratory startup costs, to career services and athletics facilities, to key academic programs.
While the endowment is largely restricted for specific purposes and designed to be preserved for the long term, the Annual Fund is a comprehensive investment in the here and now. It helps bridge the gap between tuition and endowment income to fuel the university’s operating budget and sustain WashU’s excellence year after year.
Why do you need my gift to the Annual Fund on top of endowment and tuition dollars?
WashU’s tuition and fees currently cover just 55% of the full student experience. At the same time, our endowment consists of more than 4,470 individual funds, most of which are restricted for specific purposes and collectively generate investment income intended for the long-term future — of which only 11% goes toward the university’s annual operating budget.The Annual Fund is vital to bridging that gap. It’s the hero that brings us across the finish line, ensuring a world-class student experience and the fulfillment of our mission, year in and year out: global distinction in teaching, research, and patient care.
How does my Annual Fund gift benefit students?
If it’s part of the student experience, it’s supported in some way by the Annual Fund. And because these funds are flexible, university leaders can direct your support to where students need it most. Think scholarships. Paid internships. Library books, dorm rooms, and state-of-the art classroom technology. Resources for the clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities that students count on to find community at WashU. Everything that makes the WashU experience truly unforgettable and more.Can a small gift really make a difference?
Small gifts add up. In the academic year 2024-25, gifts of $100 or less accounted for over $1.4 million to the Annual Fund. Together, these gifts made possible faculty support for interdisciplinary research, professional development and experiential learning opportunities for students, and so much more.Key takeaways about the Annual Fund
It is vital to maintaining WashU’s academic distinction and ensuring a world-class student experience.
It supports everything … a comprehensive investment.
It supplements tuition and endowment income in a major way, year after year. Then it starts anew every fiscal year (July), launching another fundraising cycle.
It affords much-needed flexibility — enabling university leaders to meet new, emerging needs and to seize opportunities that present themselves.
Every year, it brings together the WashU community and is powered by your collective generosity, gifts big and small.
Giving to the Annual Fund — at whatever level — means joining something bigger than yourself.
It’s amazing what WashU can do, with you.