Background and Purpose: Endowment has been associated with various ups and downs in different periods, including the Seljuk period. The economic aspects of endowment in the Seljuk period have not been investigated, and in this paper, while explaining the economic functions of the endowment in the Seljuk period, its difference with the economic trust has been investigated.
Materials and Methods: This paper is descriptive and analytical and library method is used.
Ethical Considerations: In this paper, the originality of the text, honesty and trustworthiness are observed.
Findings: Endowment expanded during the Seljuk period and had economic functions in this period. The economic functions of Endowment in the Seljuq period include construction measures and the establishment of caravanserais and aqueducts, which were established and managed through the income from Endowment. Endowment can be effective in reducing poverty and creating employment and fairer distribution of economic resources. Regarding the difference between endowment and economic trust, the findings show that endowment and trust are formed in different cultural contexts. In creating an endowment, the primary motive and purpose is the intention of closeness and creating charity, but the institution of trust was created because in the Middle Ages, the rules of common law prevented the inheritance of land, so trust is an escape from the rules of common law. In spite of the similarities, the trust institution has fundamental differences with the endowment in terms of its nature, subject, powers of the trust as a manager, transfer of the property subject to the trust.
Conclusion: The economic functions of endowment should be more focused and used in line with economic growth and development.