Designated Funds
Designated Funds and Endowments
CEC donors can choose to support a specific area of the Council for Exceptional Children’s mission through a designated fund or endowment. These gifts create lasting impact by directing support toward the programs, initiatives, and priorities that matter most to donors while advancing CEC’s work on behalf of educators, children and youth with disabilities, and families.
CEC accepts gifts of $10,000 or more to establish designated funds or designated endowment funds for purposes consistent with CEC’s mission and priorities.
CEC Designated Funds
A designated fund provides support for a specific purpose identified by the donor and approved by CEC. Depending on the donor’s goals and CEC priorities, these funds may support:
Leadership development and mentorship programs
Research, policy, or advocacy initiatives
Student and educator recognition programs
Special projects, innovation, or emerging priorities
Scholarships and professional learning opportunities
Other mission-aligned opportunities
Designated funds may be structured as current-use funds, which provide immediate support, or as endowed funds designed to provide long-term impact over time.
CEC Endowment Funds
An endowment fund is designed to provide enduring support for a designated purpose. The principal is invested, and a portion of the earnings is used annually to support the fund’s purpose, helping sustain impact for future generations.
CEC Donors may establish either named or unnamed endowment funds consistent with CEC’s mission and priorities. In accordance with CEC’s Gift Acceptance Policy, endowed funds of $50,000 or more may be named, pending approval by the Chief Executive Officer:
Named endowment funds may honor:
An individual or family
An educator, mentor, or leader
A professional interest or passion area
A legacy commitment to the field of special education
Whether named or unnamed, these funds create lasting support for future educators, students, families, and professionals in the field.
Creating a Fund with CEC
CEC works collaboratively with donors to explore and develop fund or endowment opportunities that reflect their interests, values, and philanthropic goals while supporting CEC’s mission and strategic priorities.
Examples of designated funding opportunities may include:
Mentorship and leadership development programs
Policy fellowships or internships
Scholarship and professional learning funds
Doctoral research grants
Lecture series or educational programming
Teacher appreciation and recognition initiatives
Sabbatical or professional growth support for CEC members
Fund agreements are developed in partnership with donors to ensure clarity, sustainability, and long-term alignment with organizational priorities.
Gift Acceptance Policy
All designated funds and endowment funds must align with CEC’s mission and comply with CEC’s Gift Acceptance Policy. If a designated program or initiative is discontinued, CEC may redirect funds to a similar mission-aligned purpose in accordance with the policy.
Learn More
To discuss establishing a designated fund or endowment, contact:
Claire Jagla, Director of Development
(703) 264-9434
[email protected]
For more information, please review CEC’s Gift Acceptance Policy.
Mental Health Fund
The Mental Health Fund currently supports the ECHO Project (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), a national learning network that helps states improve behavioral health supports in practical, lasting ways. Using ECHO’s “all teach, all learn” model, state teams learn from experts and peers, share real challenges, and identify strategies that can be implemented and scaled across states, districts, and schools.