Financial Highlights

During fiscal year 2011 (FY11) the total net assets of the University of Idaho Foundation, Inc. increased by over $21.4 million reaching $243 million in total assets. Even more importantly, the Foundation distributed more than $17.7 million to support the outstanding students, faculty, and educational programs at the University of Idaho.

Once again the Foundation is proud to announce that the investments held by its pooled endowment fund, the Consolidated Investment Trust (CIT), had an exceptional year. For FY11, the fund achieved a total rate of return of 20.4 percent. The three-year trailing average for the CIT ranks the Foundation’s performance in the top 5 percentile of the Cambridge Associates College and University Endowment database.

Additionally, the Foundation Board of Directors this year made a strategic decision to increase the endowment payout to 4.5 percent of the three-year, rolling average of the endowment’s value – in part to make up for the negative effects of the investment environment in 2008 and 2009. The CIT’s FY11 distribution to the University for scholarships and other programs totaled $6.7 million. Nearly $120 million in support for the University of Idaho has been distributed from endowment earnings since the CIT was established in 1959.

The Foundation also transferred $11 million in current gifts to provide the margin of excellence for the University of Idaho. Our generous donors make the difference for our students, faculty, staff, and programs as we work to ensure that the University of Idaho will continue to provide excellence in education and innovation.