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Seattle University (SU)
Seattle University was founded in 1891. Its endowment operates as the primary vehicle for long-term donor support, separate from annual fundraising conducted...
Seattle University (SU)
Seattle University was founded in 1891. Its endowment operates as the primary vehicle for long-term donor support, separate from annual fundraising conducted by the Seattle University Foundation. The portfolio allocates across private equity, venture capital funds, and public equities benchmarked to fossil-fuel-free indices. Geographic exposure spans North America and Asia. The Redhawk Fund, a student-managed sleeve valued at $1.6 million, tracks the S&P 500 Fossil Fuel Free Index and the Russell 1000. Cambridge Associates has served as OCIO since 2022. The university maintains 55 acres of campus real estate in Seattle plus additional holdings from the 2025 Cornish College of the Arts merger. It also holds the Hedreen Collection of more than 200 artworks valued at $300 million. Recent activity includes sponsorship of the Laudato Si' Summit in May 2025 focused on socially responsible investing. Governance centers on an Investment Committee chaired by Ryan Sawyer and a Finance Committee chaired by Russell Hagen of Weyerhaeuser. The structure separates endowment management from the university's Jesuit mission oversight while embedding ESG screens directly into policy.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1891
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Seattle
Corporate office
901 12th Avenue P.O. Box 222000, Seattle, WA 98122-1090, United States
Principals
Eduardo Peñalver
President
Ryan Sawyer
Chair of the Investment Committee
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Seattle University?
The Investment Committee, chaired by Ryan Sawyer, sets policy. Cambridge Associates serves as outsourced chief investment officer since 2022.
Does Seattle University participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The endowment commits to private equity and venture capital funds as a limited partner. It also holds direct real estate and art assets.
What investment stages does Seattle University typically target?
Commitments span early-stage venture through buyout and secondaries via fund-of-funds vehicles.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Capital originates from 548 individual donor-funded endowments restricted for scholarships, faculty positions, and programs.
Does Seattle University maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
The Seattle University Foundation handles fundraising and endowment management as a distinct entity from university operations.
What is Seattle University's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
The endowment invests primarily through fund commitments rather than direct co-investments with external managers.
Which sectors does Seattle University explicitly avoid?
The endowment follows a fossil-fuel-free mandate and benchmarks the Redhawk Fund against the S&P 500 Fossil Fuel Free Index.
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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