Giving to the University of Nevada, Reno

Asset Management
The University of Nevada, Reno Foundation endowment funds are responsibly managed by the Commonfund, an independent consulting firm which specializes in college and university endowments. As of June 30, 2007, the funds were invested at the ratio of 70.95% in equities, 24.43% in fixed income, and 4.62% in real estate and alternative investments. The goal of this allocation is to produce a return that meets spending obligations, maintains or increases the real value of the endowment, and protects against the effects of inflation.

For the period July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007, the Foundation had a net return of 18.32%. Our returns compared favorably to the S&P 500 Equity Index at 20.59% and Lehman Brothers Aggregate Fixed Income Index at 6.12% for the same period of time. As of June 30, 2007, our ten-year overall average rate of return for the endowment, net of fees, was 8.62%.

The Foundation continued to set aside 5% of the 12-quarter averaged market value for distribution purposes as outlined in the Foundation’s investment policy. An annual one percent management fee is assessed on the Foundation’s endowment each year for administrative expenses associated with managing the endowment funds. The Foundation’s policy is administered in accordance with the Uniform Management of Institutional Funds Act. The Investment Policy of the Foundation can be found on the University’s website at: http://giving.unr.edu/foundation.aspx.