Boston University Endowment

Boston University Endowment

The Boston University Endowment was established in 1839 alongside the university. It functions as the primary long-term investment pool supporting scholarships, research, and operations. Distributions have historically covered roughly 4% of the university's annual budget. The endowment invests across public equities, hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and real assets. Confirmed commitments include positions with Sequoia Capital, Blackstone, TA Associates, Polaris Partners, and Benchmark Capital. Geographic exposure spans North America, Europe, Asia, and additional regions including Africa and Oceania. Public equity holdings include large allocations to SPY, IEFA, and VWO ETFs. The Investment Office is based at 122 Bay State Road in Boston. Lila Hunnewell serves as CIO with support from directors including Chuck Haigh, Brian Erickson, and Dan Steele. Northern Trust, State Street, and BNY Mellon act as custodians. In September 2024 Lila Hunnewell received a CIO of the Year nomination at the Allocators' Choice Awards. Governance ties the endowment directly to the university's Board of Trustees and president. No separate external LP vehicle or succession vehicle exists beyond the university structure.