# Office of Development, UC Santa Barbara

Office of Development, UC Santa Barbara is an Endowment / Foundation based in Santa Barbara, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Santa Barbara, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Phelps Hall Suite 1110 University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2013, United States
- **Founded:** 1973
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** giving.ucsb.edu
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucsantabarbara

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

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.

## Sectors

- Real Estate
- Diversified

## People

- Chris Pizzinat — Executive Director
- Sue M. Wilcox — Chair of the Board of Trustees
- Rafael Costas Jr. — Vice Chair – Investments & Treasurer
- Christian Treitler — Chief Financial Officer
- John Arnhold — Immediate Past Chair

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the UC Santa Barbara Foundation?

The Board of Trustees sets allocation policy. Rafael Costas Jr. serves as Vice Chair for Investments. External advisors including Goldman Sachs and Mercer Investments support execution.

### Does the foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

It acts as a limited partner in funds managed by Farallon Capital, Lexington Partners, and Portfolio Advisors. It also holds direct real estate assets such as workforce housing and commercial properties in Santa Barbara.

### What investment stages does the foundation target through its private equity allocation?

The foundation pursues buyout, distressed debt, special situations, and co-investment strategies. These exposures sit within the broader 23.2 percent private equity allocation.

### How is the foundation related to the Arnhold Foundation?

John Arnhold, immediate past chair of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation Board, directs the Arnhold Foundation. That vehicle has funded the Arnhold Arts and Humanities Commons at UCSB.

### Where does the foundation source its investment managers?

Manager selection occurs through the investment committee with support from Mercer Investments and Goldman Sachs. Relationships date to at least 2013 for the Goldman Sachs mandate.

### Does the foundation maintain a fossil fuel divestment policy?

Yes. The foundation adheres to a strict fossil fuel divestment policy and incorporates DEIA principles into manager selection and analysis.

### What liquidity terms apply to the endowment?

The long-term endowment maintains a target allocation of approximately 30 percent to illiquid assets including private equity and real estate.

## Related profiles

- [John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation](https://altss.com/profile/john-simon-guggenheim-memorial-foundation-jsgmf)
- [Stevens Institute of Technology](https://altss.com/profile/stevens-institute-of-technology)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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