The following endowment funds are available to faculty and staff at Penn State Berks. 

To apply for funding, complete and submit the Endowment Fund Request Form. The request will be sent to the campus leader overseeing the awarding process of the endowment. Once an awarding decision is made, the requestor will be notified via email. If you have any questions, please contact the individual listed with that endowment, which you'll find below. You may also contact Melissa Edwards, director of development, at [email protected]. 

Leadership has based the review and awarding of endowments on the following goals:

  • Support the initiatives of the campus
  • Clarify process for endowments and make them more accessible
  • Make disbursement more equitable
  • Increase collaboration throughout campus

Please be mindful, guidelines and utilization of these funds are determined by the donor and cannot be changed. 

submit an endowment request form

Howard O., Jr., and Jean S. Beaver Endowment for Community Service

Purpose: To support the University's land-grant mission of service to the needs of the community and to encourage the spirit of volunteerism in the campus community.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Howard O. and Jean Beaver Endowment for Guest Lecturers at Berks Campus

Purpose: To make possible lectures and presentations at Penn State Berks by individuals of local, national, and international stature to enhance the academic and cultural life of the campus.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Berks Campus Arts and Cultural Fund

Purpose: To provide monies for approved purposes which will enhance the arts and cultural programs at Penn State Berks and for which general funds are not available.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Berks Campus Endowment Fund

Purpose: To use for capital improvements to existing buildings and grounds. Also can be used for special projects which enhance our academic programs, awards, and support of the arts.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Berks Campus Conference Center Fund

Purpose: To provide monies for the development and upkeep of the Janssen/Wetzel property as a conference center, office location, and maintenance facility.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Penn State Berks Entrepreneurship Program Endowment

Purpose: To fund entrepreneurship and economic development programs. To be used for, but not limited to, entrepreneurship speaker series, business idea competitions, field experiences, student entrepreneurship projects, and equipment and supplies.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Joseph L. and Shirley K. Boscov Honors Endowment

Purpose: To provide support for the honors program at Penn State Berks by providing monies for purposes such as scholarships, lectures, student scholarly travel, and other program expenditures.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Elsa L. and John W. Bowman Curriculum Endowment

Purpose: To provide financial assistance to faculty and staff for curriculum development and enhancement of academic programs at Penn State Berks.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Dr. Frank Franco Undergraduate Research Endowment

Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies to support and encourage research projects and initiatives of undergraduate students.

NOTE: The Franco Endowment application is different from all other endowments. Apply for the Franco Endowment here, but use the link at the top of the page to apply for all other endowments.

Applications for the Dr. Frank Franco Undergraduate Research Endowment are only accepted and awarded during certain times of the year. Applications for the Franco Endowment are due by:

  • September 15 for the fall semester,
  • January 15 for the spring semester, and
  • April 15 for the summer semester.

Full-time Penn State Berks students, along with faculty collaboration/mentors engaged in undergraduate research projects, may submit their application. Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship of Research and Creative Accomplishments committee. The Chancellor will make the final decision based on the committee’s recommendation. The confirmation of funding notification will be sent to the applicant by Lisa Curran, Academic Affairs, Penn State Berks Grants Office.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Robert M. and Nancy L. Frankhouser Endowment for International Student Experiences at Penn State Berks 

Purpose: To support students who are participating in a study abroad/international programs. This fund is limited to expenses related to those experiences abroad, for travel costs, housing, and internships. Note: This is a program support fund only and not intended to provide student support in the form of scholarships/awards. 

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Dr. Ruth M. Freyberger Endowment for the Arts and Art Education

Purpose: To provide monies for enhancing the arts and cultural programs at Penn State Berks for which general funds are not available.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Mrs. Harold McI. Grout and Mrs. C. Glenn Kauffman Endowment for the Arts

Purpose: To be used to support the enrichment of the cultural life of Penn State Berks by providing performances of music, dance, drama, or exhibits of art.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Hillkirk Family Program Endowment for Ethics and Sustainability

Purpose: To provide funds to increase awareness and education, and encourage action among students, faculty and staff, and the community, regarding issues related to ethics and sustainability.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Joseph R. Himmel Endowment for Theatre Arts

Purpose: To provide monies to enhance and improve the quality of theatre arts programs at Penn State Berks.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Helen H. and William G. Hintz Endowment for Engineering and Science Equipment

Purpose: To provide monies for equipment and equipment-related expenses which will enhance and improve the quality of engineering and science programs at Penn State Berks.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

The Valeria E. Hoffert Memorial Endowment for Capital Improvements

Purpose: To provide monies to enhance the physical facilities and grounds at Penn State Berks.  These funds shall be utilized for projects for which general funds are not available.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

George J. Losoncy Endowment in Physics and Astronomy at Penn State Berks

Purpose: To provide support for faculty, staff, and students for curriculum development, faculty research, student research and the enhancement of academic programs at Penn State Berks in Physics and Astronomy in the Division of Science.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Betty Lou McLean Endowment for Theatre

Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for the Department of Theatre.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Harold W. and Jeanne D. Perkins Endowment Fund

Purpose: The purpose of this endowment is two-fold: to provide scholarships to students enrolled at Penn State Berks and to provide grants to full time faculty and staff members for the purpose of professional improvement or advanced study related to the academic programs.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Harold A. Pfreimer Endowment for Faculty Development

Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for Engineering faculty to participate in professional development beyond the scope of what is currently offered by Penn State.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Harold A. Pfreimer Engineering Outreach and Recruitment Endowment for Penn State Berks

Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for recruiting, paid internships, and outreach programs for students enrolled in an engineering major at Penn State Berks.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Harold A. Pfreimer Engineering Projects Endowment

Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for engineering projects that educate Penn State Berks students.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Philip D. Rowe, Jr. and Mary Lee Rowe Endowment to Support Agricultural Activities at Berks Campus

Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies for student scholarships, faculty research, curriculum development and other activities associated with agricultural education.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Susan Phillips Speece Endowment for Science and Innovation

Purpose: To enrich Penn State Berks by providing monies to the Division of Science to support innovation in programming and activities.

For questions about this endowment, contact:

Robert W. and Elizabeth L. Werts Endowment for Music at Berks Campus

Purpose: To support musical performances at Penn State Berks in order to enhance the cultural life of the campus.

For questions about this endowment, contact: