Valparaiso University Endowment Returns 10.7 Percent, Ranking in Upper Decile of NACUBO-TIAA Study

Valparaiso University’s overall endowment investment return of 10.7 percent in fiscal year 2018 was within the top 10 percent of participants in the 2018 NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments. This performance outpaced the 8.2 percent average return for the more than 800 participating colleges and universities, during a time when endowments are playing a larger role in institutions’ operations, according to the CEO of TIAA Endowment and Philanthropic Services.

“Valparaiso University’s placement in the upper decile of more than 800 colleges and universities is a positive indicator of the strength of our endowment investment portfolio and investment returns, which will support the long-term financial stability of the University,” said Susan D. Scroggins, CPA, ’04 MBA, senior vice president for finance.

A strong endowment reduces dependence on student tuition dollars and improves institutional agility, making it possible to respond to unforeseen challenges, fund a program or scholarship that may not otherwise receive support or seize an opportunity that requires immediate funding not available in the operating budget.

In 2016, Valparaiso University launched Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our Future, a $250 million endowment campaign that will help secure the University’s leadership position among faith-based colleges and universities by establishing resources for student scholarships, faculty development and programs that prepare students for lives of leadership, service and generosity. Forever Valpo recently passed its $200 million milestone, with gifts already impacting scholarship and faculty fellowship recipients.

As of Jan. 25, Forever Valpo had raised more than $42 million to support student scholarships, $41 million for programs and $32 million for faculty development. The Campaign is scheduled to run through June 2021.

The annual NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments analyzes return data and a broad range of related information gathered from United States colleges and universities, both public and private, as well as their supporting foundations. According to a press release, its size and scope make it the most comprehensive annual report on the investment management and governance practices and policies of higher education institutions across the country.