Behind the scenes photo from filming set

Endowments 101

Presented by Lou Paletta ’78

There’s plenty of conversation around major universities touting hefty endowments. But what are they? Who manages them? And why would a donor want to give more to establish one? In this course, Lou Paletta ’78, former chair of the Texas A&M Foundation’s Board of Trustees, explains the power of endowments and how they can impact Texas A&M for generations after a donor’s lifetime.

What is An Endowment?

Endowments are a powerful tool that universities and their philanthropic partners use to set a sustainable financial bedrock and create long-term institutional support. But what are they, and what benefits do they offer donors? Lou Paletta ’78, former chair and current member of the Texas A&M Foundation’s Board of Trustees, briefly introduces endowments and how they can help you create a generational impact.

About Lou

Louis “Lou” Paletta ’78 is the COO and founding partner at Kildare Partners, a private equity firm. He is a former chair of the Texas A&M Foundation’s Board of Trustees and currently serves as a trustee and investment committee chair.

More Courses

Philanthropy at Texas A&M

It’s no secret that Texas A&M thrives thanks in part to the steadfast support of its former students and philanthropic partners. But why does a public university need private support? And how do all these different fundraising organizations serve the institution, anyway?

Explore this course
How to Make a Gift

Giving is a part of human nature, and Texas A&M has an especially strong tradition of loyal former students giving back to support current and future Aggie students, faculty and staff. For first-time donors, though, philanthropy can seem daunting and even inaccessible. In this course, three Texas A&M Foundation development team members demystify the giving process one step at a time.

Explore this course