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UC Berkeley Foundation
The UC Berkeley Foundation was established in 1948. It serves as the main channel for private gifts to the University of California, Berkeley.
UC Berkeley Foundation
The UC Berkeley Foundation was established in 1948. It serves as the main channel for private gifts to the University of California, Berkeley. Bettina Duval leads the board of trustees. Rich Lyons, the university chancellor, also serves as a trustee. The foundation allocates across private equity, real estate, hedge funds, and venture capital. Confirmed holdings include positions in Berkeley Catalyst Fund, Berkeley Frontier Fund, and Sage Geosystems through the Climate Solutions Fund. It maintains direct ownership of Anchor House student housing and The Gateway computing facility, both in Berkeley. Geographic exposure spans North America, Europe, and Asia. The foundation participates in fund commitments and joint ventures rather than solely grant-making. Assets total 2915 million USD. The foundation works with Berkeley Endowment Management Company as investment advisor and State Street as custodian. It sponsored Big Give in March 2024. Additional vehicles include the Berkeley Catalyst Philanthropic Fund established in 2016. The foundation holds membership in the University Blockchain Research Initiative. The foundation operates under a board governance structure tied directly to the university regents. This creates a formal separation between philanthropic inflows and endowment deployment managed through BEMCO. Trustees include operators from Bessemer Venture Partners and other institutions, shaping co-investment access.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1948
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Berkeley
Corporate office
1995 University Ave Suite 401, Berkeley, CA, United States
Principals
Bettina Duval
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Rich Lyons
Chancellor and Trustee
Eric H. Stern
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at UC Berkeley Foundation?
Berkeley Endowment Management Company serves as the investment advisor under Jagdeep Singh Bachher. The board of trustees, chaired by Bettina Duval, sets policy.
Does UC Berkeley Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The foundation makes both fund commitments and direct investments. Holdings include limited partner stakes in Berkeley Catalyst Fund and direct ownership of campus real estate projects.
What investment stages does UC Berkeley Foundation typically target?
The foundation targets buyout, growth, early stage, and startup investments through its venture and private equity allocations.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Gifts and donations from alumni, corporations, and individuals fund the foundation. Notable donors include David Filo.
How is UC Berkeley Foundation related to the university?
It functions as the primary private fundraising arm. The board includes the chancellor and reports ultimately to the Regents of the University of California.
Does UC Berkeley Foundation maintain philanthropic structures?
Yes. The Berkeley Catalyst Philanthropic Fund operates alongside the main foundation with a focus on education in the United States.
What is UC Berkeley Foundation's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
The foundation holds limited partner positions in multiple venture funds and has executed joint ventures such as the El Cerrito Plaza BART Development with Related Companies.
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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