Do you find yourself wondering what the future will look like? Such thoughts cross most people’s minds, whether it be specific to what lies ahead for future family generations, or more broadly to what challenges will be faced and necessary innovations in our community, locally or globally.

While firmly planted in the present, UC Riverside also thinks about what lies ahead, engaging in long-range planning as it anticipates future needs and how best to meet them. We invite you to share in that future, by considering a gift to UC Riverside’s endowment. With such a gift the principal is kept intact, and every year a portion of the investment return it generates is released for use.

How to contribute 

Any type of gift made to UC Riverside can be designated for endowment. You can make a gift during life through outright gifts of cash, securities, or other types of property, or by specifying that the remainder gift from a charitable gift annuity or charitable trust be used for endowment. Or you can leave an endowment gift through a bequest in your will, a provision in your living trust, or by designating UC Riverside as a beneficiary to a retirement plan, life insurance policy, or an investment account.

Putting your gift to use

There are different ways to put your endowment gift to use: 

Unrestricted

Unless otherwise designated for a specific purpose, endowment gifts may be directed to the UCR Fund Endowment, providing flexible, long-term support for UC Riverside's highest priorities. Earnings from the endowment help sustain the university's mission while preserving the principal to support future generations of Highlanders.

Contributions of any amount are welcome. Unrestricted endowment gifts are among the most valuable forms of support because they allow university leadership to respond to emerging opportunities and evolving needs. These funds may be used to enhance student success, expand access to financial aid, advance groundbreaking research, strengthen academic programs, support campus growth, and address critical priorities across the university.

As a national leader in social mobility, educational access, and research excellence, UC Riverside relies on flexible resources to continue transforming lives and driving innovation. An unrestricted endowment gift through the UCR Fund creates a lasting legacy that helps ensure the university remains responsive, resilient, and positioned for future success.

Restricted

You may also choose to direct your gift to a specific purpose that is meaningful to you. For example, a gift to the UCR Student Basic Needs Support Fund helps ensure that students have access to essential resources that support their academic success and overall well-being. The fund provides critical assistance for students experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, and unexpected financial hardships, while also supporting programs such as the R’Pantry, emergency grants, and resource navigation services.

By helping meet students’ basic needs, your gift empowers Highlanders to focus on their education, pursue their goals, and fully engage in campus life. Gifts of any amount can make a meaningful difference and provide compassionate, timely support to students when they need it most.

Named Fund

It is also possible to establish an endowment fund in your name or that of a loved one. This type of endowment requires a minimum contribution, which can vary depending on the purpose for which it is being set up.

In all instances, but especially if you are considering a named endowment, it is best to have a conversation with us regarding your goals for the gift, to ensure that it can be used in the manner that you intend.

Through a gift to endowment both you and UC Riverside can join together to make a difference for generations to come. And that is a future worth thinking about.