University at Buffalo (UB)
Endowment Resource Hub
Thank you for choosing to invest in an endowed fund at the University at Buffalo. Your generosity creates a lasting legacy for future generations. With your support, UB will fulfill student dreams, empower faculty research, and make an impact on the world we share. Your contribution has provided a predictable and consistent source of revenue that secures long-range plans.
Transparency, accountability, and careful stewardship of endowed funds are core values that drive our work, and ones that we take very seriously. The information here is offered to assure you that your investment in UB’s bold future is being effectively stewarded and used to make the greatest impact at the University.
The University at Buffalo giving societies recognize our most generous and dedicated alumni, families and friends. We are thankful for our donors’ commitment to our academic mission and recognize and honor the generosity of faculty, alumni, parents, friends, corporations, and foundations.
Loyal Blues: recognizing annual donors
University Founders Society: recognizing leadership donors
Hayes Society: recognizing donors who have made planned or estate gifts
The following are links to policies and regulations established by UB, the UB Foundation and various governmental agencies to ensure the prudent management and spending of endowed funds. You may read or download the most recent UB Foundation Investment Performance and Policies statement here.
The UB Foundation is responsible for protecting, managing and growing all endowment funds that support the University at Buffalo. Careful reporting shows the breakdown of endowed funds, what those funds support and investment objectives.
Spending is defined as funds made available annually from the Long Term Portfolio (LTP) for university programs and administrative expenses. Spending on university programs will be approximately 4% of the donor’s entire original contribution after the first full year of participation in the LTP. Afterwards, spending will increase annually at the average rate of inflation, regardless of market performance.
This approach provides a stable and predictable annual stream of funds for use that maintains its purchasing power over time. The Spending Rate will be determined and approved annually by the Investment Committee. The desired result is to achieve a year to year spending increase for individual funds that approximates the Inflation Rate, not to exceed 3%. Total spending dollars are limited to a floor of 4% and a ceiling of 6% of the three-year average market value of the LTP, measured on a quarterly basis.
Special spending rules are followed for individual endowments where the value has fallen below historic dollar value.
Describes and explains the administrative cost charged against the spendable amount of the endowment fund each year.
When funds are distributed to recipients, UB is required to do so in a manner which complies with federal and state law and the policies of the State University of New York, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, religion, color, disability, national origin, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, or ex-offender status.
Enacted in September 2010, the New York Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (NYPMIFA) covers laws concerning the expenditure of charitable endowment funds and incudes provisions concerning the prudent management and investment of funds held by UB. The Act also includes information on protections for donors.
SUNY’s procedures and guidance for naming physical and non physical assets on its campuses.
Acting on the guidelines published by the State University of New York, the University at Buffalo has adopted a series of standards that govern naming spaces, programs, scholarships, and other areas of UB.
This section of the NY Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act covers appropriation for expenditure or accumulation of endowment fund and the rules that govern construction of an endowed fund.
All endowed funds at the University at Buffalo are administered under the laws of the State of New York.
Annual Report 2022-2023
Our annual report highlights stories of generosity spurred by deep connections and inspired by the University at Buffalo’s mission and vision of excellence.
The Division of University Advancement manages relationships with alumni and friends, the media, members of the community and philanthropic entities of all types to increase understanding of and support for the University at Buffalo.
We welcome your inquiries or questions about your endowed funds of our gift stewardship. Please contact Donor Relations at donorrelations@buffalo.edu.
The UB Foundation plays a vital role in helping UB establish, enhance and expand its global reputation. It supports and promotes UB’s activities and programs by assisting in the acquisition of strategic assets, managing and providing resources, and providing an array of services for the UB community.
As the managers and stewards of UB’s endowment and long-term portfolio, the UB Foundation protects and grows one of UB’s most important assets. Investment and endowment performance historical information is available.