Montana State University Alumni Foundation

Montana State University Alumni Foundation

The Montana State University Alumni Foundation formed in 2012 from the merger of the MSU Alumni Association (1903) and MSU Foundation (1946). Fran Albrecht serves as President and CEO. The entity operates as the primary fundraising and investment vehicle supporting Montana State University. The foundation holds a long-term investment portfolio valued at $310 million. It maintains LP positions in EIV Capital Fund IV, Palistar Communications Infrastructure Offshore Fund II, and HV Capital Fund IX Ventures. Direct holdings include Advanced Technology Inc. and Montana State University Innovation Campus, both located in Bozeman, Montana. Commodity exposures target 3-4 percent of assets through indices such as MSCI AC World Commodity Producer. The foundation employs 88 professionals and participates in the NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments. It sponsored MSU Giving Day in February 2024. Service providers include Eide Bailly LLP as auditor and Cambridge Associates as investment advisor. Governance centers on an Investment Committee chaired by Mark Bacigalupo and a Board of Governors that includes external members from Evercore and D.A. Davidson. This structure separates endowment management from university operations while coordinating with component units such as the Museum of the Rockies.