The drive to fully endow 13 scholarships for Daily Texan staffers is nearing its $500,000 goal, but still $20,000 short.

The scholarships are funded by Friends of The Daily Texan, Inc. and its donors.

The goal is to meet the $500,000 target at the same time as The Texan’s 125th anniversary year ends in October.

“With full funding of $500,000,  the Friends group and the donors supporting this effort guaranteeing these scholarships will outlive all of us,” FOTDT president John 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.”

There have been 390 donations to the effort since it started in October of 2022 and many donated more than once. About 105 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.