Endowments and Foundations Overview

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Picture treasure chests that never empty out
Endowments hold the wealth that universities tout
Foundations spread their mission through the years
Both built to last beyond our mortal tears
They start with gifts from generous hearts and hands
Then grow through careful, calculated plans

[Chorus]
Forever funds, forever goals
Perpetuity's what drives these souls
Spend some now but save the rest
Balance present with future's test
P-E-R-P-E-T-U-I-T-Y
Keep the golden goose alive, never let it die

[Verse 2]
Harvard's coffers, Gates Foundation too
They face the same dilemma through and through
How much to grant for today's urgent call
While keeping assets strong to serve us all
The spending rule becomes their guiding star
Usually five percent won't stretch too far

[Chorus]
Forever funds, forever goals
Perpetuity's what drives these souls
Spend some now but save the rest
Balance present with future's test
P-E-R-P-E-T-U-I-T-Y
Keep the golden goose alive, never let it die

[Bridge]
Scholarships today or bigger pot tomorrow
Medical research now or funds we'll need to borrow
Investment growth must beat inflation's bite
While meeting missions burning bright

[Verse 3]
Endowment serves one institution's dream
Foundation casts a wider helping beam
Both juggle current impact with longevity
Managing this eternal legacy
The corpus stays intact while earnings flow
Sustaining purpose as the decades go

[Outro]
Forever funds with calculated care
Present needs and future's welfare
The balance that will always be
Perpetuity's reality

← Target-Date Funds and Glide Paths | Endowment Spending Rules →