Endowments are financial investment vehicles designed to withstand economic instabilities through sensible investing practices. Essentially, an endowment fund is a long-term investment fund made up of contributions that continue to grow while a percent of the earnings is distributed each year to benefit the named nonprofit organization or cause. Since the principle of the fund is untouched, this fund is guaranteed to last perpetuity and will safeguard against unpredictable future donor giving and economic hardships. The perspective of holding an endowment is very long-term as these are funds given in perpetuity to support the fund or organization's mission.