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Eastern Washington University Foundation
Founded in 1977, the Eastern Washington University Foundation operates as the primary fundraising and asset-management vehicle for EWU, a public university in...
Eastern Washington University Foundation
Founded in 1977, the Eastern Washington University Foundation operates as the primary fundraising and asset-management vehicle for EWU, a public university in Cheney, Washington. Led by Executive Director and VP of University Advancement Barb Richey, the foundation supports the university through donor cultivation, endowment management, and strategic initiatives. Board leadership includes Chair Alexis Alexander of Avista Corporation and Treasurer Sean Hoagland of PotlatchDeltic Corp, anchoring the foundation's ties to the Inland Northwest's corporate community. The foundation's endowment pool, estimated at $62.2 million, follows a fund-of-funds structure with additional commitments to secondaries and real estate. Portfolio assets include a commercial property in Spokane Valley and the Prairie Restoration Project, a land parcel behind EWU's Roos football field. The foundation also maintains positions in commodities. While specific fund managers or direct co-investments are not publicly disclosed, the foundation participates in the annual NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments for performance benchmarking. Since 2017, the foundation has been a member of the Intentional Endowments Network, aligning its investment policy with sustainable and responsible practices. The foundation operates as a signatory to the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050. It reports sustainability metrics through AASHE STARS, integrating environmental criteria into both campus operations and endowment oversight. The foundation cultivates community partnerships, including an annual 'Side by Side' concert with the Spokane Symphony and collaborations with corporate supporters such as Numerica Credit Union and the McKinstry Charitable Foundation. Structurally, the foundation functions as a nonprofit corporation governed by a volunteer board drawn from regional employers—a governance model that embeds the Inland Northwest's business leadership directly into the university's financial stewardship. Unlike larger university endowments that rely on dedicated internal investment offices, the EWU Foundation's lean operational structure reflects the scale and regional mission of the institution it serves.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1977
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Cheney
Corporate office
Cheney, WA, United States
Principals
Alexis Alexander
Chair of the Board of Directors
Barb Richey
Executive Director and Vice President of University Advancement
Sean Hoagland
Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
How is the Eastern Washington University Foundation structured?
The foundation is organized as a nonprofit corporation under Washington State law, governed by a volunteer board of directors drawn from regional business and community leaders. The executive director and VP of University Advancement, Barb Richey, leads day-to-day operations focused on fundraising and endowment management. Board oversight includes investment policy, donor stewardship, and alignment with the university's strategic priorities.
Does the EWU Foundation's endowment invest directly or through funds?
The foundation's endowment investment pool appears to follow a fund-of-funds strategy with allocations to secondaries and specialty asset classes, including real estate and commodities. Direct investments in specific operating companies or co-investments alongside external managers have not been publicly documented. The foundation maintains a commercial real estate property in Spokane Valley and land assets tied to campus sustainability projects.
What is the foundation's approach to sustainable investing?
The foundation has been a member of the Intentional Endowments Network since 2017 and is a signatory to the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. It reports sustainability metrics through the AASHE STARS framework and integrates environmental stewardship into its endowment policy. Campus sustainability projects, such as the Prairie Restoration Project, are held as foundation assets.
Who sits on the EWU Foundation's board of directors?
The board includes leaders from regional employers: Chair Alexis Alexander serves as Director of IT Infrastructure at Avista Corporation, and Treasurer Sean Hoagland is Director of Compensation and Benefits at PotlatchDeltic Corp. Additional board members include executives from Numerica Credit Union and other Inland Northwest organizations. The board structure reflects the foundation's deep ties to the regional business community.
How does the EWU Foundation support the university beyond endowment management?
The foundation is responsible for all fundraising activity on behalf of Eastern Washington University, including annual giving campaigns, major gifts, and planned giving. It cultivates partnerships with corporate donors such as the McKinstry Charitable Foundation and community organizations like the Spokane Symphony. The foundation also stewards the university's public art collection and manages real property assets used for educational purposes.
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