Syracuse University endowment outperforms many with 17.2 percent return

The Syracuse University endowment returned 17.2 percent in fiscal year 2010, outperforming many peer institutions and rebounding from losses seen during the 18-month international economic crisis.  

The market value of SU’s endowment was approximately $849 million on June 30, the end of fiscal year 2010. In the months since June 30, the endowment has increased to approximately $894 million—or about 5.3 percent—as of Oct. 26. 

According to SU Treasurer Barbara Wells, all of SU’s asset classes performed well and all contributed to the endowment’s strong performance in 2010. SU’s endowment is well diversified across major asset classes, as well as within each asset class by market capitalization and investment style or strategy. 

The endowment is established to last in perpetuity, with only the payout from the fund spent each year to support SU’s goals and priorities, and provides a stable, permanent level of support for scholarships, faculty development, academic programs, innovative research, the library and athletics. 

In FY 2010, SU outperformed several large school endowments—including many Ivy League schools—according to early self-reported returns. National endowment returns are officially reported every January by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). 

To view more about information about the University’s endowment, visit http://campaign.syr.edu/about-the-campaign/our-endowment/investment-performance.