Major Gifts
Scholarships
Starting a Scholarship/Endowment
Northwest endowments provide a perpetual source of assistance for current and future students. Establishing a permanent endowment requires a minimum fund balance of at least $10,000. This endowment initially will generate a $500 annual scholarship, and as the fund grows through earnings and additional contributions, more aid will become available.
Establishing a named scholarship endowment can be accomplished with a minimum amount of effort. Many of Northwest's endowments that are well over $10,000 have been funded through:
- transfers of appreciated stock to avoid capital gains taxes
- families pooling funds
- honoring someone in memoriam
- funds from a business, corporation or foundation
All of Northwest's private endowments are held and managed by the Northwest Foundation which is staffed through the Office of University Advancement. For more information on establishing an endowment, please contact the Office of University Advancement at (660) 562-1248 or e-mail advance@nwmissouri.edu.
Lifetime Giving
The Birches Society
The first building erected on campus was Academic Hall, now known as the Administration Building. Its commanding location is situated on the highest point of land between Omaha and St. Louis on the old Wabash Railroad line, 1,163 feet above sea level. Five cut-leaf birches stood at the site like sentinels, prompting faculty and students to describe the Normal School as being located "behind the birches."
Donors who have contributed $250,000 or more in lifetime gifts are members of The Birches Society.
The Bell Tower Society
In 1965, Dr. Robert P. Foster announced plans to build a Bell Tower as a memorial to deceased alumni, former faculty members and those from the University's family who died representing our country. Ground was broken in the fall of 1970, and the sounds of chiming bells greeted students returning for the fall semester of 1971.
Donors who have contributed between $100,000 and $249,999 in lifetime gifts are members of The Bell Tower Society.
The Long Walk Society
The original architect's plans for the campus, which were modeled after Cambridge University, included a large quadrangle, marked on the most northern point by the Administration Building, with all future campus buildings built facing the quadrangle. While the original plans were never realized, the first sidewalk built from the entrance at Fourth Street/College Avenue ran straight to the front door of the Administration Building. Known as the Long Walk, songs were even sung about the long walk.
Donors who have contributed between $25,000 and $99,999 in lifetime gifts are members of The Long Walk Society.
Other Types of Gifts: Annual Gifts | Planned Gifts | Matching Gifts