What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
endowment
Example
The university received a generous endowment from a wealthy alumnus. [endowment: noun]
Example
The endowment will be used to fund scholarships for underprivileged students. [endowment: noun]
Example
The philanthropist endowed the museum with a significant sum of money. [endowed: past tense verb]
donation
Example
I made a donation to the local food bank to help those in need. [donation: noun]
Example
The company made a generous donation to the hurricane relief fund. [donation: noun]
Example
She donated her time and expertise to help the non-profit organization. [donated: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Donation is more commonly used than endowment in everyday language. Donation is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while endowment is more specific and often associated with larger sums of money or property.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between endowment and donation?
Endowment is typically associated with a more formal tone, as it involves a significant amount of money or property and may come with specific conditions or restrictions set by the donor. Donation, on the other hand, can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
