Franklin & Marshall College

Franklin & Marshall College

Franklin & Marshall College was founded in 1787 as a private liberal arts institution. Its endowment originated from early gifts including Benjamin Franklin's contribution and has grown through alumni donations tracked in the Founders Society. The endowment holds 30.79 percent in private equity alongside public equities, energy exposure via the Vanguard Energy Index Fund, and direct real estate assets on the 220-acre Lancaster campus. Confirmed holdings include the Phillips Museum of Art collection exceeding 10,000 works and joint-venture student housing projects with Campus Apartments, Inc. and Silverang Development Company. Geographic exposure centers on the United States with additional global energy and infrastructure positions. The college employs Investure LLC as investment advisor and maintains relationships with Cambridge Associates. October 2024 saw the dedication of the Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Welcome Center on campus. The endowment also supports the Founders Society and Kite & Key Circle recognition programs for major donors. Governance rests with the Board of Trustees, whose members include partners from KKR, Advent International, and Context Capital Partners. This structure separates endowment management from the college's operating budget while directing returns toward student aid and facilities.