The vision of the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center is “… a future free of heart and vascular disease.” This dream for the ultimate safety of society from the nation's No. 1 killer is only possible with continued progress in research, which fuels progress that will allow continued medical advances for patients who suffer from cardiovascular disease. The scientific discoveries that contribute to the improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, vascular disease and stroke will benefit generations to come.

A philanthropic tool called an “endowment,” or “endowed fund,” best meets this essential need for research funding. Endowments are created by donors to provide long-term sources of funding for investigations that hold promise of scientific discovery. Endowments can be very specifically focused on a particular disease state or condition, or they can be generally designated to focus on the most critical research needs.

Endowments are permanent funds in which the principal is held in perpetuity and only the interest generated by the principle amount is expended annually. Currently, 5 percent of interest income is expended to the project, 1.5 percent is retained for management and administration of the fund, and the remaining growth is returned to principle. This policy provides for continued growth of the principle and protection against inflation through capitalization of earnings beyond the income awarded. In this way, the fund grows and increases in value throughout time. In major universities across America, endowments are regarded as the ultimate support of scholarly efforts.

Privately endowed funds of $2 million and more are designated as “endowed chairs.” Endowed chairs allow the UA College of Medicine and the Sarver Heart Center, to attract and retain scientists who have earned national distinction in their efforts to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease. Endowed chairs draw outstanding scholars by creating an environment that fosters collaborative inquiry among faculty and students, with the interest income from these funds allowing researchers to continue scientific pursuits unabated.

An endowed fund is established through a minimum gift of cash or stock totaling $25,000. Endowed funds may also be created through a number of planned giving vehicles. For more information about specific giving tools, levels of endowment, or areas of research in need of support, please call the Office of Development at the UA Sarver Heart Center at 626-4146 or 1-800-665-2328, or contact the office at heart@u.arizona.edu.