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Kansas University Endowment Association
The Kansas University Endowment Association was founded in 1891 to solicit and manage philanthropic support for the University of Kansas. Daniel J.
Kansas University Endowment Association
The Kansas University Endowment Association was founded in 1891 to solicit and manage philanthropic support for the University of Kansas. Daniel J. Martin serves as president while James G. Clarke acts as chief investment officer. The structure separates the endowment from direct university control while maintaining close operational ties through ex-officio trustees including Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. Asset allocation shows private equity at 25.79 percent with a 30 percent target. The Long-Term Investment Program holds public equities valued at $599.7 million alongside fixed income and alternatives. Confirmed holdings include the Kansas Farmland Portfolio, KU Campus Land, mineral interests in Kansas, and a Cessna Citation CJ4 aircraft acquired in 2014. Geographic exposure centers on Kansas and extends to a geology field camp in Cañon City, Colorado. The organization maintains the KU Endowment Charitable Gift Fund established in 2004 as a separate 501(c)(3) vehicle. Service providers include State Street Bank as master custodian since 2023 and Cambridge Associates as investment consultant. April 2025: Sponsored the One Day. One KU. annual day of giving event. Governance places investment decisions under the finance committee chaired by trustee Todd L. Sutherland. The endowment operates as a perpetual vehicle with no succession to family principals, instead linking asset performance directly to university capital needs through trustee oversight.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1891
AUM
2.53B (Altss estimate)
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Lawrence
Corporate office
1891 Constant Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66047, United States
Principals
Daniel J. Martin
President
James G. Clarke
CIO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Kansas University Endowment Association?
James G. Clarke serves as senior vice president and chief investment officer. The finance committee chaired by trustee Todd L. Sutherland provides oversight.
Does Kansas University Endowment Association participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The endowment holds limited partner positions in private equity funds and co-investments. It also maintains direct ownership of real assets including farmland and mineral interests.
What asset classes does Kansas University Endowment Association allocate to?
Allocations include public equities, private equity at 25.79 percent, fixed income, and real assets. The Long-Term Investment Program aggregates these exposures.
Where does the underlying support for Kansas University Endowment Association come from?
Support originates from donor gifts and bequests directed to the University of Kansas. The endowment administers these funds as an independent nonprofit.
How is Kansas University Endowment Association related to the University of Kansas?
It functions as the official fundraising foundation. The chancellor serves as an ex-officio trustee while the endowment retains separate legal and investment control.
Profile maintained by Altss 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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