Doane University

Doane University

Doane University's endowment traces its origins to 1872, when the institution was founded in Crete, Nebraska. The fund operates under the oversight of a Board of Trustees Investment Committee chaired by Allen J. Moore, a former investment consultant. The university rebranded from Doane College in 2016, and the endowment's growth has been shaped by philanthropic partnerships such as that with the Lied Foundation Trust. The endowment pursues a venture capital strategy spanning early-stage, seed, startup, and late-stage expansion allocations, supplemented by a fund-of-funds component. The portfolio benefits from a relationship with the United Church of Christ and co-investment partners like the Lied Foundation Trust, which has funded campus facilities and contributed to the endowment. The institution holds physical assets across its Crete, Lincoln, and Omaha campuses, including the College Heights Country Club land and the Chab Weyers Education and Hixson Lied Art Building. Doane is a member of the Intentional Endowments Network, reflecting a mandate aligned with sustainable and mission-driven investing. The investment committee operates with limited disclosed team size but draws on board expertise in governance, technology, and advancement from chairs like Richard A. Bartlett of Lone Peak Capital and Bruce L. Berglund of Donor By Design. The university maintains campuses in Crete, Lincoln, and Omaha, extending its regional footprint. The endowment also holds a declared fossil fuel divestment position. The university is an active member of NAICU, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the Great Plains Athletic Conference under the NAIA. The endowment's structural distinction lies in its integration with a small liberal arts institution and its explicit, mission-aligned investing posture through the Intentional Endowments Network. Governance is distributed across distinct board committees, with the investment committee, chaired by a former investment consultant, holding decision authority over the portfolio's venture-driven allocation.