Endowment / Foundation

Updated:

Ferris Foundation

The Ferris Foundation was established to support Ferris State University. Bob Murray acts as Executive Director while Dick Shaw chairs the board and Bill Pink...

Ferris Foundation logo

Ferris Foundation

The Ferris Foundation was established to support Ferris State University. Bob Murray acts as Executive Director while Dick Shaw chairs the board and Bill Pink participates as an ex-officio member. Emily Hancock serves as board secretary and donor. The foundation invests in distressed debt and fund-of-funds vehicles. Confirmed holdings include Metropolitan Real Estate Equity Partners IV, WCP Real Estate Fund IV, Crow Holdings Realty Partners VIII, and a private real estate portfolio spanning Europe and Asia. It also maintains natural resources exposure and campus properties in Big Rapids and Grand Rapids. The organization lists 127 million dollars in assets under management. It operates from Big Rapids with no disclosed additional offices. Memberships include NACUBO and AACP. No operational events from the last 24 months appear in available records. The foundation exists solely to serve Ferris State University, creating a direct governance link between endowment decisions and university leadership rather than an independent family or multi-client structure.

General information

Firm type

Endowment / Foundation

Year founded

1998

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Big Rapids

Corporate office

Big Rapids, MI, United States

Principals

Bob Murray

Executive Director

Dick Shaw

Chair of The Ferris Foundation Board of Directors

Bill Pink

ex-officio member of the Foundation Board

Sector focus

Real EstatePrivate Credit

Frequently asked questions

Who runs investment decisions at Ferris Foundation?

Bob Murray serves as Executive Director. Dick Shaw chairs the board and Bill Pink participates as an ex-officio member from the university presidency.

Does Ferris Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation allocates through fund-of-funds vehicles and holds positions in multiple real estate funds including Metropolitan Real Estate Equity Partners IV and Crow Holdings Realty Partners VIII.

Where does the underlying wealth come from?

The foundation raises funds to support Ferris State University initiatives and manages endowments tied to university collections and programs.

How is Ferris Foundation related to Ferris State University?

The foundation exists solely to support the mission and goals of the university, with the university president serving ex-officio on the board.

What asset classes does Ferris Foundation target?

Allocations include distressed debt, fund-of-funds, real estate, and natural resources and commodities.

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.

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