Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University was founded in 1887 in Spokane, Washington. Its endowment supplies permanent funding for university operations and programs. D. Michael Reilly serves as Board Chair with additional trustees drawn from legal, corporate, and investment backgrounds. The endowment targets 21-27 percent in domestic equities and roughly 4 percent in private equity. It commits to vehicles such as The Rise Fund II and a managed diversified global multi-asset fund. Real estate holdings encompass the main campus valued near $406 million, three Seattle waterfront parcels, and a Florence study-abroad facility. Geographic exposure reaches North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. Equity positions are evaluated against specific ESG criteria focused on sustainable practices. Assets total $526 million. The university maintains 741 employees and operates the Gonzaga Law School Foundation for targeted program support. Verus Investments and D.A. Davidson & Co. serve as investment advisors. In May 2024 the university sponsored its annual commencement ceremony in Spokane. The endowment follows a 2018 Board-approved socially responsible investment policy that integrates ESG factors into every equity mandate rather than relying on exclusion lists. Direct ownership of campus and investment properties creates an operating-company relationship that shapes liquidity and governance decisions.