Annual Endowment Disbursement Policy
Annual Endowment Disbursement Policy
Policy Owner: Executive Director, Alumni and Development, and Office of the President
Approval Date: March 21, 2024
Replaces: Finance Committee Annual Endowment Disbursement Policy 2019
Note: Documents are subject to revision. The online version on the College website is the official and most current version. To request an alternate format, contact PIRQ@cambriancollege.ca
Purpose
This policy outlines the requirements for the disbursement of the Cambrian College donor endowment.
Scope
This policy applies to the Endowment held by the College.
Definitions
Donor: A person or entity making a gift to the College.
Endowment: A structure for managing, and in many cases indefinitely perpetuating, a pool of financial, real estate, or other investments for a specific purpose according to the will of its founders and donors.
Rate Stabilization Fund: A monetary reserve established to maintain the disbursement rates of the endowment.
Policy Statements
- The Endowment held by Cambrian College is used to fund a significant portion of the Cambrian College Awards Program on a yearly basis.
- Only the investment income that is earned from the endowment is used for award disbursements.
- Cambrian College uses a “slip-year” funding model. This sees the investment earned from the endowment in one fiscal year disbursed in the next fiscal year.
- The target rate of return for endowment disbursements is 4%.
- When the endowment performs at a rate of return above 4%, investment income will be allocated as follows:
- A rate equal to inflation will be set aside in an inflation rate stabilization fund.
- A maximum of 4% to be used to pay for yearly scholarships, bursaries, and awards.
- Any further investment earnings will be designated to a Rate Stabilization Fund.
- The example below will demonstrate the above:
- Assuming an investment return of 8% and an inflation rate of 2% on an endowment balance of $3,600,000, the following distribution would apply:
Investment return 8.00% $288,000 1. For Inflation Rate Stabilization 2.00% $72,000 2. For Yearly Scholarships 4.00% $144,000 3. For Rate Stabilization Fund 2.00% $72,000
- Assuming an investment return of 8% and an inflation rate of 2% on an endowment balance of $3,600,000, the following distribution would apply:
- When the endowment performs at a rate of return below 4%, the following scenarios would apply:
- The Rate Stabilization Fund would be used to ensure an award disbursement of 4% of the endowment balance.
- Costs of maintaining the Cambrian College awards program at a minimum standard will be shared through the combined efforts of Cambrian College and the endowment donors.
- Cambrian College may opt to reduce the 4% disbursement until such time as the endowment is performing to expected standards.
- These numbers may change in time and remain at the discretion of Cambrian College.
Responsibilities and Accountability
Executive Director, Alumni, Development and Office of the President is responsible for:
- Ensuring overall compliance of this policy.
- Ensuring the development, review, and availability of this policy.
Alumni and Development Office is responsible for:
- The application and administration of this policy.
Procedures/Forms
None