Office of Development, UC Santa Barbara

Office of Development, UC Santa Barbara

The UC Santa Barbara Foundation was established in 1973 as a nonprofit corporation to receive and steward private support for the university. Chris Pizzinat leads day-to-day operations while the Board of Trustees, chaired by Sue M. Wilcox, governs investment policy. John Arnhold, immediate past chair, channels additional support through the Arnhold Foundation focused on arts, humanities, and climate research. The foundation allocates across private equity, real estate, and public markets. Current private equity exposure stands at 23.2 percent against a 24 percent target. It holds limited partnership interests in Farallon Capital Management, Lexington Partners, and Portfolio Advisors Private Equity Fund II. Geographic exposure centers on North America with additional commitments to global strategies. Direct holdings include the Soltara Apartments workforce housing project, the Former Staples Building innovation space, and the Chancellor's Residence acquired through philanthropy. The endowment size remains undisclosed in public filings. The team maintains relationships with Goldman Sachs as investment advisor since 2013, State Street Bank & Trust as custodian, and Mercer Investments as consultant. A dated operational event occurred in April 2024 when the office sponsored UCSB Give Day, a global philanthropic fundraising campaign. Adjacent vehicles include the Dean's Investment Fund, a student-managed vehicle overseen by faculty. The foundation's structure separates philanthropic receipt from university operations through a distinct nonprofit entity governed by external trustees. This separation allows independent manager selection and direct real estate ownership while maintaining alignment with university priorities via the Board of Trustees.