Endowment / Foundation

Updated:

American University of Beirut (AUB)

The American University of Beirut was founded in 1866 by American missionaries and operates as a private non-sectarian institution chartered in New York.

American University of Beirut (AUB) logo

American University of Beirut (AUB)

The American University of Beirut was founded in 1866 by American missionaries and operates as a private non-sectarian institution chartered in New York. Its endowment supports degree programs from bachelor's through PhD as well as medical and research activities on the main campus and satellite sites. Capital deploys into venture capital, co-investments, buyouts, distressed debt, early-stage and growth equity, fund-of-funds, natural resources, and secondaries. Confirmed holdings include positions in venture and private equity alongside real-asset ownership such as the Advancing Research Enabling Communities Center and Keserwan Medical Center. Geographic reach centers on Lebanon and extends to Cyprus and the United States. The endowment totals an estimated 991 million USD. Additional offices operate in New York. Adjacent vehicles include the BOLDLY AUB Campaign and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at AUB. The university maintains accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Governance rests with a board that includes operating executives from Sumeru Equity Partners, Arab Bank, Venterra plc, Jabre Capital Partners, and Saudi Binladin Group, creating direct links between endowment decisions and external investment platforms.

General information

Firm type

Endowment / Foundation

Year founded

1866

Location

Region

Middle East

Country

Lebanon

City

Beirut

Corporate office

Beirut, Lebanon

Additional offices

New York, NY, United States · Paphos, Cyprus

Principals

Fadlo R. Khuri

President

Abdo George Kadifa

Chair of the Board

Nemeh Sabbagh

Co-Chair and Treasurer

Ayman Asfari

Trustee

Philippe Raymond Jabre

Trustee

Mu'taz Al-Sawaf

Trustee

Sector focus

Venture CapitalPrivate EquityReal EstateNatural Resources

Frequently asked questions

Who runs investment decisions at American University of Beirut (AUB)?

Fadlo R. Khuri serves as president. The board chaired by Abdo George Kadifa and co-chaired by Nemeh Sabbagh oversees allocation with input from trustees including Ayman Asfari and Philippe Raymond Jabre.

Does AUB participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The endowment deploys through both fund commitments and direct co-investments. Strategy records list fund-of-funds, secondaries, and co-investment alongside buyout and venture holdings.

What asset classes does the AUB endowment target?

Allocations span venture capital, buyout, distressed debt, early-stage equity, growth equity, natural resources, secondaries, and real estate. Real-asset holdings include campus properties in Lebanon and Cyprus.

Where does the AUB endowment maintain geographic exposure?

Primary exposure centers on Lebanon with additional offices and assets in Cyprus and New York. Portfolio companies and funds extend reach into broader Middle East and international markets.

How is the AUB endowment connected to its parent university?

The endowment operates as the primary capital vehicle for the American University of Beirut, funding operations, research centers, and medical facilities. Board members hold concurrent roles at external firms that inform investment selection.

Profile maintained by using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.

Need institutional-grade insight on endowments & foundations?

Altss delivers:

Principals with verified direct contactsAllocation history by asset classOSINT-derived deal signals
Book a demo

Prefer a guided tour?

We’ll walk you through:

Interactive funding timelinesCustom mandate & allocation filters
Book a demo

More Beirut Endowment / Foundation profiles