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Universities of Wisconsin
The Universities of Wisconsin System was established in 1971 as the governing structure for public higher education in the state. Its endowment and trust funds...
Universities of Wisconsin
The Universities of Wisconsin System was established in 1971 as the governing structure for public higher education in the state. Its endowment and trust funds operate under the Board of Regents, which sets investment policy and oversees asset allocation. Allocations include private equity at 11.5 percent alongside public equities and real assets. Confirmed holdings include positions in Pearl Diver Credit Company, Nu Holdings, Akero Therapeutics, and NVIDIA. The portfolio spans North America with exposure through Terrace Holdings II Fund and TRG Forestry Fund. Geographic reach covers Wisconsin campuses and national investment markets. Total reported assets exceed the $574 million AUM figure when including $4.6 billion in land holdings and university apartments. The system maintains relationships with the State of Wisconsin Investment Board for investment management and Aon for advisory services. March 2025 sponsorship of the Bradley Distinguished Lecture Series addressed private equity and AI topics. The structure ties investment decisions directly to the public university system's Board of Regents, creating a governance model distinct from independent endowments or family offices.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1971
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Madison
Corporate office
Van Hise Hall 1220 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, United States
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who governs investment decisions at Universities of Wisconsin?
The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System sets investment policy and oversees the endowment and trust funds.
What asset classes appear in the Universities of Wisconsin portfolio?
Private equity represents 11.5 percent of allocations. Public equity positions include holdings in Nu Holdings, Akero Therapeutics, and NVIDIA.
Does Universities of Wisconsin invest through external managers?
Yes. The system participates as a limited partner in Terrace Holdings II Fund via StepStone Group and holds interests in TRG Forestry Fund.
What real assets does the system control?
Land holdings across Wisconsin total an estimated $4.6 billion. Additional assets include graduate student housing in Madison and art collections at the Chazen Museum.
How are philanthropic activities separated from the endowment?
The University of Wisconsin Foundation and Fund for Wisconsin Scholars operate as separate entities. The latter received a $175 million endowment gift from John and Tashia Morgridge in 2007.
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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