Three years after Friends of The Daily Texan, Inc. started a campaign to permanently endow all 13 of the scholarships awarded to Daily Texan staffers, the group is closing in on its $500,000 goal, but still $30,000 short.
The campaign by the Friends group will end in October, three years after scholarship fund-raising began, marking conclusion of The Daily Texan’s 125th anniversary year. “Originally we hoped to raise $300,000,” said FOTDT president John Reetz, “but donors quickly stepped forward to fund new scholarships, so our goal was pushed to $500,000.”
If the goal is met, all 13 of the current scholarships will be permanently and fully funded.
“With full funding of $500,000, the Friends group and the donors supporting this effort guaranteeing these scholarships will outlive all of us,” Reetz said. “Everyone who donates will leave their own personal legacy of support for Daily Texan journalists.”
Please consider donating here . Friends of The Daily Texan, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
“We sincerely hope that anyone who felt The Texan had an impact on their career or was important to their time at UT participate in this effort, if they are able,” Reetz said. “Any size donation – $25 or any size – will be helpful if alums will mobilize to make this happen.”
Reetz said there have been 380 donations to the effort since it started in October of 2022 and many donated more than once. About 100 of those have given more than once, so the number of donors funding the endowment effort total is about 264.
“Literally thousands of students have worked for The Texan through the years so we hope there are more Texan grads who will consider donating any amount,” Reetz said.
This year 45 Texan staffers competed for the 13 scholarships grants. Total annual funding of the 13 scholarships was $23,500, almost all paid from the Friends endowment. Reaching the $500,000 goal will ensure all existing scholarships are paid by the Friends endowment
The first funding grant to a Texan staffer was in 2018, a $1,500 scholarship to one staff member. Since then the number of scholarships has grown each year to a current total of 13, and an annual total payout of $23,500.
Scholarship amounts are between $1,000 and $2,500 per student.
Since 2018, 62 grants totaling $87,750 have been awarded to Daily Texan staffers.
All funds received are deposited into a Friends of The Daily Texan account established with Moody and UT Development. Earnings of the deposited amount are used to fund the scholarship awards each year.
Donations may be made in honor or in memory of someone, or for larger sums a named scholarship grant. Reach out to [email protected] for further details or with any questions..
“Please consider this as a sincere request to help student journalists directly by donating to our efforts,” Reetz added. “All donors will be recognized in a public manner. Your name showing support of student journalists will exist as a permanent acknowledgment, as the scholarships are endowed permanently.”