Foundation FAQs

• What does the Foundation do?
• Who governs the Foundation?
• What type of gift can I make?
• How does the Foundation oversee and manage gifts to the University?
• How do endowments work?
• How do I establish an endowment?
• What are the endowment returns for the past 1, 5, and 10 years?
• How do I apply for a grant?
• What assessments are charged by the Foundation?

What does the Foundation do?

The University of Oregon designated the Foundation to receive, manage, invest and disburse private gifts while the University is responsible for fundraising. All private gifts should be directed to the Foundation and will be administered according to the donors’ intent.
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Who governs the Foundation?

A Board of Trustees comprised of up to 65 alumni and non-alumni members, governs the Foundation. These are individuals who have demonstrated dedication to the University of Oregon and a willingness to give their time, resources and expertise. After being nominated, new Trustees are selected for three-year terms by the current Board.
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What type of gift can I make?

The Foundation accepts cash, securities, property, and in-kind gifts. Donor advised funds are also available.
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How does the Foundation oversee and manage gifts to the University?

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the management and investment of Foundation assets. Staff initiates the process, making recommendations to various oversight committees. The Committees then review and provide counsel before making formal recommendations to the Full Board. The Foundation also employs consultants and a carefully selected group of external managers.
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How do endowments work?

Endowment assets are maintained in perpetuity and are pooled for investment purposes. Currently, the Foundation distributes 4% of the annual investment return to be used in accordance with donor intent. The rest of the earnings is returned to the pool to preserve purchasing power for the benefit of future generations. A gift can create or add to an existing endowment.
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How do I establish an endowment?

While any amount can be added to an existing endowment, the minimum amount necessary to establish a new endowment is $25,000. The process is uncomplicated but is best addressed through face-to-face conversations. Please visit the University Development site for more information.
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What are the endowment returns for the past 1, 5, and 10 years?

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, the Willamette Investment Pool returned 19.8%, net of fees. For the last 5 and 10 years, the Pool returned 12.9% and 10.5%, respectively. These results compare favorably to other universities and according to NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers) rank the returns in the top 16th percentile over ten years.
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How do I apply for a grant?

The Foundation is not a grant making entity.
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What assessments are charged by the Foundation?

Administration assessments are levied against all assets under management by the Foundation. These assessments are established by the Board of Trustees of the UO Foundation and are reviewed annually. More...
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