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Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College was founded in 1887 as a private graduate school. Its endowment preserves capital and funds operations independently of the larger Columbia...
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College was founded in 1887 as a private graduate school. Its endowment preserves capital and funds operations independently of the larger Columbia University system. The endowment holds interests in private equity limited partnerships focused on buyouts and distressed credit. It also maintains direct ownership of the main campus real estate in Morningside Heights and an art collection of approximately 2,500 works. Geographic exposure centers on the United States. The college awarded $38 million in student scholarships in fiscal year 2024. The investment portfolio stood at $569.3 million alongside physical plant assets valued at $127.9 million. Additional offices are not disclosed. In May 2025 the college sponsored its annual Scholarship Gala in New York. Service providers include KPMG as auditor and Northern Trust as custodian. The endowment maintains a separate corporate status from Columbia University while conferring degrees through the university. Governance includes an investment committee with members such as Elisa Wilson. This structure allows independent management of the $477 million portfolio.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1887
AUM
477 (Altss estimate)
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, United States
Principals
Thomas Bailey
President
Leslie Morse Nelson
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Teachers College, Columbia University?
Thomas Bailey serves as president. Leslie Morse Nelson chairs the Board of Trustees. Elisa Wilson sits on the investment committee.
Does Teachers College participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The endowment holds an interest in Commonfund Capital Private Equity Partners VII L.P. as a limited partner.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The endowment originates from the college's own operations and donations rather than a single family or corporate founder.
How is Teachers College related to Columbia University?
Teachers College is an affiliated graduate school but maintains its own corporate status and endowment separate from the university.
What recent operational events has the endowment recorded?
In May 2025 the college sponsored the Scholarship Gala in New York to support student funding.
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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