Mizzou’s endowment has crossed the $1 billion mark, a major milestone for the university. Through new private gifts and stock market growth, the university’s endowment has grown by more than $400 million in six years.
Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright says the overwhelming support from donors attracts quality students and faculty to the university because they know they will have the backing to pursue their goals.
“Generations of donors have graciously invested in our students and faculty, and we cannot thank them enough for their long-term vision and generosity,” Cartwright says. “Our students and faculty achieve great things when we give them the support they need to pursue their passions in education, research and engagement.”
In contrast to expendable gifts to the university, endowed gifts are invested. The university spends 4% of each endowed fund’s value annually according to donor wishes.
Mizzou is the seventh school in the SEC to achieve a $1 billion endowment. Of the 1,644 public higher education institutions in the nation, MU is the 37th to reach the billion-dollar mark. In 2015, MU was recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education as one of the five most-improved fundraising programs in the nation.
