Long-Term Growth of the Fund
The Investment Office is the fiduciary for the $13.7 billion Northwestern University Endowment Fund, or Long-Term Balanced Pool, which comprises nearly all of Northwestern’s investable assets.
The primary goal of our endowment is to ensure a consistent stream of income to support existing University programs and safeguard the impact of the endowment for future generations. We aim to achieve a total rate of return that surpasses inflation plus actual spending, maintaining the value of the endowment over time. To achieve these goals, the Investment Office focuses on three performance objectives.
By adhering to these performance objectives and maintaining a forward-thinking approach, we ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of our endowment.
The Investment Office is the fiduciary for the $13.7 billion Northwestern University Endowment Fund, or Long-Term Balanced Pool, which comprises nearly all of Northwestern’s investable assets.
Investing across multiple asset classes is key to growing the endowment while appropriately managing overall risk.
On average, Northwestern seeks a total rate of return that exceeds inflation plus actual spending.
The Board of Trustees sets spending policy to provide a stable source of revenue for current operations while preserving the purchasing power of the endowment for future generations.
The endowment is similar to a mutual fund, with several beneficiary units represented as investors, or “holders.” Learn more about these holders.