Investing in the Next Century
Why the Endowment Matters
The endowment is what keeps Kent rowing steady and independent over the long run.
It is built entirely from what alumni, parents and supporters give, and it pays for coaching, equipment, travel and the racing itself.
Unlike annual giving, endowment money is permanent. It lets the program plan more than a season ahead instead of living year to year, and every dollar of it stays with Kent rowing.
Rowing has shaped generations of Kent students. The endowment is how we make sure it keeps doing that.
The giving page carries both designations, so a gift can support the endowment, the Henley Regatta Cup and Celebration, or both.
Coaching Continuity
Pays for keeping good coaches at Kent rather than losing them every few years.
Equipment & Fleet
Keeps a competitive fleet of shells and the kit that goes with it, for the girls' and boys' programs alike.
Training & Travel
Covers the facilities, the travel and everything else it takes to race nationally.
Student-Athlete Experience
Protects the experience that made the program worth being part of in the first place.
The Campaign in Numbers
Figures as of 30 June 2026, as reported by Kent School.
At 30 June 2026
Committed, not yet received
Value and pledges together
Toward the $6 million goal
Nearly 200 gifts from more than 100 donors since January 2022. The campaign closes in July 2027, the centenary of Kent’s first crossing.
Where the Money Sits, and What It Pays For
The KSBC endowment is held inside Kent’s endowment, and the school tracks the rowing portion separately. Each year Kent draws an agreed percentage from it, currently four per cent, and that draw is what funds the program.
Spending follows what the program actually needs rather than whatever the draw happens to produce. In a year when the draw comes to more than the program spends, the balance goes back into principal.
The draw replaces what rowing now takes from Kent’s annual operating budget, which the school hopes to redirect toward financial aid. The $6 million goal is sized against a real budget: coaching, a schedule of new boats, and a trip to Nationals or Henley every other year.
If you would like the detail behind any of that, either co-chair is glad to walk you through it.
Ways to Give
Any gift helps. We recognize them at four levels, each named for a role in the boat.
The top level, for anyone in a position to lead the program into its next century.
A gift at this level anchors the endowment for decades.
A substantial gift, and one that makes a visible difference to the fund.
No minimum. Gifts of any size go straight into the endowment.
All gifts are tax-deductible and processed securely through Kent School.
Help Your Class Win the Shell
The winning class names a shell at Kent.
The Class Challenge is a friendly competition between graduating classes, led by each class's coxswain. The coxswain gets in touch with classmates and raises what they can for the endowment. Whichever class raises the most, either by total or by the share of the class that gives, names a new shell.
It is not much work. Thirty minutes every few months, an email to your class and a follow-up with whoever replies.
If you would be interested in leading the Class Challenge for your year, let us know on the interest form and we will follow up.
The Prize
The winning class gets to name one of the next shells Kent buys.
Open to all graduating class years, boys and girls
Judged by total funds raised or percentage of class participation
Coxswain-led: about 30 minutes of effort every few months
All contributions go directly to the KSBC Endowment
Questions? Please Get in Touch
The endowment is run by two alumni co-chairs, working with Kent School so that what gets raised actually reaches the program.
If you want to talk through a gift, or help with the campaign, either of us is glad to hear from you:
Contribute to the KSBC Endowment
Giving is processed securely through Kent School. All gifts to the KSBC Endowment are tax-deductible.
Give to the KSBC Endowment (opens in a new window)You'll be directed to Kent School's giving page.
Tell Us What You Would Come To
We have gatherings planned across the centenary year, and what we actually put on depends on what people say they want. Tick whatever appeals and we will keep you posted. It takes about a minute and commits you to nothing.