Emory University’s endowment market value of $6.7 billion ranks 17th in the nation out of 812 U.S. colleges and universities surveyed for the 2015 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments.  The survey is compiled annually by the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

What’s especially significant about the endowment’s performance in fiscal year 2015 is Emory’s long-term investment gains, according to Mary Cahill, the university’s vice president of investments and chief investment officer.

“Emory’s three- to 10-year return rates are very competitive with peer institutions,” says Cahill.  “This ongoing success enabled us to distribute nearly $260 million in support of Emory’s academic programs and research support in this fiscal year, while ensuring for the long-term sustainability of the university’s mission, as well as support for our outstanding students, faculty and researchers.”

Emory’s endowment earned a 3.6 percent return on investment for a 12-month period ending June 30, while the university’s three- and five-year returns exceeded 10 percent annualized, well above goals set by the Investment Committee of the Emory University Board of Trustees.

Cahill is proud of the expertise and commitment of the University’s investment management team, evidenced by the steady growth of Emory’s investment assets.  It’s particularly gratifying, says Cahill, for the team to know that their work is helping support priorities such as the Emory Scholarship Endowment Initiative that helps to attract and support talented students regardless of their financial contributions.