An ARCS Foundation Oregon University Matched Endowment (UME) supports a scholar award at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, or University of Oregon in perpetuity.  By establishing a UME you can leave a legacy by giving a gift that will continue funding outstanding ARCS Foundation scholars permanently into the future.

You could fund a UME if you are required to take a minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA. This is a tax-smart way to support science in America and is excludable from your gross income (a TAX FREE gift!).

I.  ARCS FOUNDATION OREGON UNIVERSITY MATCHED ENDOWMENT

• The minimum amount to establish a UME at OHSU, OSU, or UO is $100,000.
• The three research universities supported by ARCS Oregon, OHSU, OSU, and UO, currently allocate matching funds of $50,000.
• ARCS Foundation Oregon provides matching funds toward the establishment of a new UME. For each new pledge of $100,000 or more, the Oregon Chapter will contribute $7,500.

Example of a UME:
$100,000    Donor gift
+  50,000    University matching funds
= 150,000    Minimum amount to start a UME 
+     7,500    ARCS Foundation Oregon match
 $157,500    Total amount of the Named ARCS Foundation UME

• A UME may bear your name or the name of someone you choose to honor.
• The UME funds a scholar in an approved ARCS Foundation Oregon department at the university designated by the Donor.
• University Matched Endowment Agreement templates have been written and approved by ARCS Oregon board and the university partners.

II. MANAGEMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY MATCHED ENDOWMENT 

• The UME is invested and managed by our university partners (OHSU, OSU and UO).  The endowments are 3-way agreements between:
  • ​The Donor
  • ARCS Foundation Oregon
  • The respective university (OHSU, OSU, or UO)
• Once the UME is established, each individual endowment maintains a separate identity but is pooled with all university endowments for investment purposes.
• The goal of an established UME is to fund scholar awards from its investment returns.  The ARCS Foundation Oregon Scholar Award funds an aggregate of $18,000 payable over 3 years.
• Each university will provide an annual report on the UME status and activity to the Donor.

III. TIMING

• Ideally, the UME should be established with a full 4 quarters of investment time before funding a scholar award.
• The Donor may always jumpstart funding the UME by contributing an additional $6,000 for the first year.

IV.  UNIVERSITY MATCHED ENDOWMENT PROGRESS AS OF MARCH 2021

• To date, 21 university matched endowments have been established since 2016 using this model:
  • Twelve (12) at OSU
    • College of Agricultural Science (2)
    • College of Engineering (4)
    • College of Forestry (1)
    • College of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (2)
    • College of Science (1)
    • Graduate School (1)
  • Five (5) at UO
    • College of Arts & Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Human Physiology) (3)
  • Eight (8) at OHSU
    • School of Medicine (6)
    • School of Nursing (1)

For more information contact us at oregon@arcsfoundation.org.