Winter 2026 19 F I N A N C E S point of pride for our community. It represents the power of a university community that believes in its mission and chooses to invest in its longterm impact. It also demonstrates the community’s commitment to excellence for generations to come.” So, what is an endowment and why is it important? A bigger endowment means more resources for the people, programs and facilities of the university, both current and future. The core of the funds remains invested for long-term growth, but every year, a portion (currently 4%) is transferred to support programs chosen by the donors. Annual endowment distributions to OSU programs have jumped from $20.9 million five years ago to $31.2 million last year. (New federal taxes on endowments do not apply to public colleges and universities.) More than 2,900 distinct funds stewarded by the OSU Foundation make up the endowment. Each was “WHEN YOU CREATE OR ADD TO AN ENDOWED FUND, YOU’RE BUILDING A PERMANENT PART OF THE UNIVERSITY.” ty programs, year after year,” said Kevin Harvey, the OSU Foundation chief financial officer. “When you create or add to an endowed fund, you’re building a permanent part of the university that will generate income for programs you care about. Our policies are designed to help the endowment grow over time, so its value keeps up with inflation.” OSU’s endowment managed by OSU Foundation was established in 1958 with $20,000. Over the past five years, the total has increased by 65%. Richard B. Evans, ’69, who chaired the OSU Foundation’s Investment Committee the past four years, made the announcement at the Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee meeting in July. Staff and trustees with investment expertise developed the policies that have helped drive endowment growth. Endowed assets are managed by an outsourced chief investment officer, Cerity Partners. WHERE THE MONEY GOES More than 2,900 funds stewarded by the OSU Foundation make up OSU’s endowment. Here’s what they support. ► Oregon State University ► UC Berkeley ► Iowa State University ► Purdue University ► University of Delaware ► North Carolina State University ► Clemson University ► University of Georgia Rare Company Oregon State is now one of 8 public land-grant universities without an associated medical center that have $1 billion or more in endowment funds. Scholarships/ fellowships 38.85% Programs and facilities 34.32% Faculty 26.83% established by a donor or group of donors for a purpose, such as supporting a particular faculty position or providing scholarships — for instance, for OSU’s new Finish in Four program, which benefits Oregon residents with the highest financial need. “Stock markets go up and down, but endowed funds provide a stable, reliable flow of income to universi-
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