CU Foundation Investments Outperformed Market in 2005
Assets Top $800 Million
Boulder, CO – Feb. 27, 2006 – The investment strategy of the University of Colorado Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the University of Colorado, paid off in 2005 by showing returns that more than double those of the domestic stock market.
The CU Foundation’s long-term investment pool, representing endowments and other funds invested for the long term, reached $603 million at the end of 2005 and returned 10.2 percent during the 2005 calendar year, compared to a 4.9 percent return in the S&P 500 during the same period. The long-term investment pool is structured to fund University programs over an extended period of time.
This investment performance ranks the CU Foundation in the top 8 percent of 1,400 similar funds, including endowments, foundations, public funds and large corporate pension plans.
In addition, the CU Foundation’s assets reached the $800 million milestone, establishing it as one of the largest foundations in Colorado when ranked by assets. Focused and carefully researched investments made these milestones possible for the CU Foundation.
“We’re adding value through thoughtful asset allocation and seeing especially strong returns in our private equity and non-domestic investments,” said Chris Bittman, chief investment officer for the University of Colorado Foundation. “These investments play a critical role in support of CU and its students and faculty, which is especially important during this time of declining state funding for the University.”
Founded in 1967, the University of Colorado Foundation is the independent, non-profit philanthropic partner of the University of Colorado, and is the largest foundation in the Rocky Mountain West dedicated exclusively to higher education. With total assets of more than $750 million, the CU Foundation enables donors to advance the mission of the University of Colorado. For more information, visit www.cufund.org.
Contact:
Steve Caulk
303-417-6303
srcaulk@earthlink.net