EWU Foundation Endowment Prospers

Monday, April 10, 2017

CHENEY, Washington - The latest national study of college endowments reveals the Eastern Washington University Foundation Endowment continues to perform well despite challenging financial markets that have impacted other universities.

The strong performance is reflected by the fact the EWU Foundation Endowment is now at a record high, totaling more than $20.2 million.

Eastern was one of 805 higher education institutions surveyed for the 2016 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE). According to data collected for the NACUBO survey, here is how the EWU Foundation (EWUF) investment portfolio fared nationally:  

  • EWUF 1-Year Performance is in the top quartile
  • EWUF 3-Year Performance is in the top decile
  • EWUF 5-Year Performance is in the top decile

"It's gratifying that the low cost strategy to utilize broad-based index funds adopted by the EWU Foundation's Investment Committee and the Board has been a success," said Dan Carper, chair of the Investment Committee. "We are extremely pleased our actual relative performance, according to NACUBO, has been in line with our original expectations."  

The EWU Foundation (a 501c3) is responsible for all fundraising activity on behalf of Eastern Washington University. The Foundation is governed by a board of directors, which works with an investment committee to manage the EWUF Endowment.

"The Foundation takes its fiduciary duty very seriously and is extremely pleased with these results," said Michael Westfall, executive director of the EWU Foundation and vice president for EWU Advancement. "The strong endowment numbers are a testament to the great work by the Foundation's Investment Committee."

About NACUBO The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) represents more than 2,100 colleges and universities across the country. The association strives to advance the economic viability and business practices of higher education institutions in fulfillment of their academic missions.

About Commonfund The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations ("Commonfund") is a nonprofit asset management firm that manages $24.3 billion for hundreds of public and private institutions.