Restricted vs. Unrestricted Purposes

• Most endowed gifts are made to support a specific purpose (e.g. financial aid, professorships).  Such gifts are referred to as “restricted” endowments
  
  • Dartmouth is legally bound to use the endowment distribution associated with a restricted gift for its designated purpose. 
• A minority of endowed gifts are made on an “unrestricted” basis meaning the distribution from those funds are used for Dartmouth’s highest priorities
• Restricted and Unrestricted endowed gifts are pooled together in the endowment and are invested with the goal of growing support for Dartmouth in perpetuity