Build a Legacy — TEF Endowment Fund
A permanent investment in STEM education for those who need it most.
Why an Endowment?
The Tech Education Fund Endowment is a permanent investment in the future of STEM education for underserved communities. Unlike annual donations, endowment gifts are invested permanently — only the annual returns are used each year to fund scholarships, low-interest loans, and mentorship. Your gift is not spent. It is planted. And it grows, funding students not just this year, but for every year that follows.
In 2026, TEF is launching a formal endowment campaign. We are building the financial foundation that will allow us to serve students for generations to come — regardless of economic cycles, grant availability, or annual fundraising results. By contributing to the endowment, you are joining a small group of visionary supporters who believe that access to STEM education is a right, not a privilege.
How Our Model Works
TEF's endowment is built on the same revolving principle as our loan program: every dollar works harder over time.
The principal is permanent. When you give to the endowment, your gift is invested and never spent. The original amount stays in the fund indefinitely.
Only the returns are deployed. Each year, the investment returns from your gift are used to fund student scholarships, loan capital, and mentorship programs.
The endowment compounds. As new donors contribute and investment returns accumulate, the endowment grows — and so does TEF's capacity to help students, year after year.
Your legacy is permanent. A gift to the TEF endowment outlasts any individual grant cycle. It is recognition that lasts as long as TEF does.
Named Giving Levels
Every gift matters. These named levels recognize donors whose contributions make a lasting difference.
| Gift Amount | Recognition | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | Endowment Supporter | Recognized on TEF website donors page |
| $5,000 | Endowment Friend | Named in annual report + website |
| $25,000 | Named Annual Scholarship | Your name on one scholarship for one year |
| $100,000 | Named Permanent Scholarship | Your name on one scholarship every year, forever |
| $500,000 | Founding Endowment Partner | Named recognition across all TEF programs permanently |
Ready to Build a Legacy?
Your contribution to the TEF Endowment Fund is a permanent investment in STEM education for students who need it most.
Contribute to the EndowmentTEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.
EIN: 88-2074360