Endowment / Foundation

Updated:

Phillips Exeter Academy

Phillips Exeter Academy was founded in 1781 by John and Elizabeth Phillips. The school operates its own 501(c)(3) endowment to support operations and financial...

Phillips Exeter Academy logo

Phillips Exeter Academy

Phillips Exeter Academy was founded in 1781 by John and Elizabeth Phillips. The school operates its own 501(c)(3) endowment to support operations and financial aid. The endowment reached $1.6B in disclosed assets. The endowment deploys capital through private equity, real estate, hedge funds, and natural resources. Confirmed positions include Quantum Energy Partners VII and Quantum Energy Partners VII Co-Investment. Allocations span North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions. The structure uses fund-of-funds vehicles alongside direct co-investments and SPVs. Cambridge Associates provides benchmarking and advisory services. The Academy employs 217 professionals. Additional holdings include the 700-acre campus with 147 buildings and the Class of 1945 Library. Recent activity includes the Knowledge & Goodness campaign for campus modernization and financial aid. PwC acts as auditor and Ropes & Gray provides legal counsel. The endowment maintains a distinct governance model with an Investment Committee drawn from trustees who hold external roles in finance and public service, including Brad Briner's position as North Carolina State Treasurer.

General information

Firm type

Endowment / Foundation

Year founded

1781

Location

Region

North America

Country

United States

City

Exeter

Corporate office

20 Main Street, Exeter, NH 03833, United States

Principals

Brad Briner

Chairman of the Investment Committee and Trustee

Justin Merrill

Director of Investments

Marijka Beauchesne

Chief Financial Officer

Suzi Kwon Cohen

Trustee Vice President and Investment Committee Member

Sector focus

Private EquityReal EstateEnergy Transition & RenewablesHedge Funds

Frequently asked questions

Who runs investment decisions at Phillips Exeter Academy?

Brad Briner chairs the Investment Committee. Justin Merrill serves as Director of Investments. Suzi Kwon Cohen sits on the Investment Committee.

Does Phillips Exeter Academy participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The endowment uses both fund-of-funds commitments and direct co-investments. Positions include Quantum Energy Partners VII.

What asset classes does the Phillips Exeter Academy endowment hold?

Holdings span private equity, real estate, hedge funds, and natural resources. The portfolio mixes liquid public equities with illiquid commitments.

Where does the underlying wealth come from?

The Academy was established in 1781 by John and Elizabeth Phillips from merchant and banking activities.

How is Phillips Exeter Academy related to its endowment vehicle?

The Academy itself operates the endowment as a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational institution to fund operations and financial aid.

Profile maintained by 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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