The Oswego University Foundation, Inc., endowment consists of gifts and the subsequent growth of these assets due to superb investment strategies over the long term, income from which provides a permanent source of financial support to benefit the students at SUNY Oswego. It is the university’s largest financial asset, and generates income for its mission of providing an accessible, distinctive, quality education for talented students regardless of family background or economic means. Our endowment includes more than 385 individual funds, with nearly 85% designated for student scholarships. Many others also support professorships, research programs, student internships and career related experiences, lectures, pedagogical innovation, facilities and equipment, and other university priorities. Since the university’s founding more than 160 years ago, hundreds of donors have established endowed funds to ensure Oswego’s future.
The endowment functions as a unitized pool. Each endowed fund owns shares defined as units of the endowment. The market value per share is calculated monthly. As new gifts are added to the endowment, shares are purchased based on the market value at the end of the previous month. The Pooled Endowment Fund consists of a group of endowments, which have the common goal of preserving the purchasing power of the original principal and providing stable support to their respective beneficiaries. This fund is managed under the total return concept of endowment management to achieve stated total return (earnings) objectives. Each fund included in the pool will earn interest and capital appreciation based upon the performance of their underlying ownership interest in the Pooled Fund.
OSWEGO COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC. — ALL ACCOUNTS June 30, 2023
Thanks to the generosity of generations of Oswego alumni, parents and friends, the university’s endowment and planned gift assets stood at approximately $62 million as of June 30, 2023.
99% of the foundation’s endowment is donor restricted to support either student scholarships, excellence funds, or departmental or campus programs that support student success. Donor restrictions are stipulated in formal written agreements and verified by auditors annually.
Oswego's annual compound return on its entire endowment pool has consistently exceeded the performance of peer colleges and universities nationally in the annual survey by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Study of Endowments. For nearly every year over the past two decades, Oswego’s endowment outperformed the average rates of return among the 700+ U.S. colleges and universities who responded to the survey. Thanks to the outstanding service of the Investment Committee, Oswego’s endowment often ranks in the top decile of performers when looking at the five- and 10-year rates of return.
The endowment is managed by the Oswego University Foundation Investment Committee, a select group of board members (outside experts also occasionally serve) who are willing and able to devote significant time to the committee’s important work, have varied and complementary expertise, have experienced several market cycles, avoid conflicts of interest and proactively plan for succession.
The foundation invests its assets in a prudent manner to achieve a long-term rate of return sufficient to fund a portion of its annual spending and to increase investment value after inflation. The foundation’s investment strategy incorporates a diversified asset allocation approach based on targets defined by the Investment Committee of the Oswego University Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors.
The Foundation’s Investment Committee recognizes its responsibility to be a socially responsible investor and has incorporated this in its Investment Policy Objectives and Guidelines. The goal of this policy and the focus on our responsibility as responsible investors is not intended to result in the exclusion of specific investments on the basis of any single factor alone, but as an aid in evaluating investment options as we continually try to maintain the long-term investment performance of the endowment. The Investment Committee will continue to exercise care in the oversight of our endowment, to consider responsibilities as a socially responsible investor in our investment process, to encourage its managers to do the same, and to support the SUNY Oswego’s ongoing efforts to steward our environment thoughtfully and responsibly.
The Foundation uses primarily mutual fund, fund-of-fund and index-style funds, and thus has no direct investments in fossil fuels.
Our endowment spending policy is a common industry practice known as the 20 quarter rolling average method. Using March 31 each year as our final measurement period, the foundation computes a 20 quarter average account balance and multiples this average balance times a spending rate approved annually by the foundation’s Board of Directors. Contact Mark Slayton, Assistant Vice President of Finance, Operations and Technology, if further explanation is desired.
Governed by a legally binding endowment agreement, your investment in the Oswego University Foundation will be used solely for the purpose(s) approved by you and the foundation. We pride ourselves on superb stewardship of all endowed funds and are committed to transparency through annual audits and by directly reporting to donors each year.
Since most of the funds that comprise the endowment are restricted by donors for particular purposes, like scholarship, awards or internship experiences, the university cannot spend down the endowment like a bank account, even if needed for other legitimate priorities. The endowment must also provide financial stability over the very long term, for hundreds of years into the future.
Most gifts from individuals to SUNY Oswego each year are under $500 and are made through The Fund for Oswego–our Annual Fund. These unrestricted gifts, made by thousands of alumni, parents and friends, are allocated to the university’s top priorities. The approximately $1 million donated through annual giving compliments the income generated by the endowment, enabling us to provide the margin of excellence that make the SUNY Oswego experience exceptional. That said, gifts to the endowment secure the future of the university, ensuring that access to all that SUNY Oswego has to offer remains open to every qualified student regardless of their family’s economic means.
Donors can provide the capital necessary to establish endowed funds at SUNY Oswego through outright gifts of cash, through transfer of stocks or appreciated securities, through gifts of real estate or other property, and by naming the Oswego University Foundation, Inc. as a beneficiary of a will, trust, insurance policy or other retirement asset. While donations may be made at any time and for any amount to the general endowment, the minimum for establishing a “named” fund, one which will bear the name of the donor’s choosing, is outlined on this web page.
No. Donors may pledge to make payments for up to five years to fully fund an endowment, though income from such funds will not be available for the designated purpose until the pledge period is complete.
Generally. Naming a fund in honor of a family member, beloved faculty member or coach, a friend, or yourself provides a personal connection for the recipient of your generosity. Naming a fund also enables the university to share your story and celebrate your legacy with future generations of Lakers.
Yes. You and/or others can make additional gifts to add to the principal or “book” value of your endowment at any time. These additions are often made to commemorate an anniversary, a birthday, a retirement or other life events. You may also add to your endowment through provisions in your will or other estate plans.
We encourage those who wish to make a contribution to the endowment through their will to document and share their intentions with the university, including a dollar amount, if possible, and the preferred purpose for which income is to be used. This not only prevents misunderstandings and legal complications, but ensures that your wishes will be honored and that future generations will continue to be affected positively by your generosity.