NSS Permanent Endowment Fund

The NSS Permanent Endowment Fund (PEF) was formed and designed to pay an income to the National Speleological Society in perpetuity. This fund is owned and managed by the National Speleological Foundation (NSF) and is, therefore, not controlled by the NSS. However it can only be used for the benefit of the society. The society may use this annual payment income for whatever day-to-day needs it has or direct it to wherever the NSS wants to go.

Every year, 4% - as an average of 3 years of this fund - is turned over to the society. For example, if you gave $100 dollars to the PEF, then the next year 4 dollars is given back to the NSS. After 25 years your entire donation would have been given back, but your original amount would still remain in the fund. Our foundation invests your donation and the goal is to have a return greater than the 4% return. So, after 25 years, there would be enough left to continue to give 4 dollars forever. Your gift would continue to give long after your original donation was made.

As of 2022, the fund's return back to the NSS is $15,000. This fund can only grow with the generous donations from cavers across the society. I invite you to consider adding the Permanent Endowment Fund to your long term estate planning or adding it to your yearly donations. Your contributions to the NSS Permanent Endowment Fund can be made by check payable to the National Speleological Foundation with NSS Permanent Endowment Fund in the memo line and mailed to:

National Speleological Foundation
Louise Hose
311 Yeager Court
Dayton, NV 89403