University of Notre Dame Endowment

University of Notre Dame Endowment

The University of Notre Dame Endowment, managed by the Notre Dame Investment Office, constitutes the primary long-term investment vehicle supporting the University of Notre Dame du Lac, a private Catholic research university founded in 1842. The Investment Office oversees the Notre Dame Endowment Pool (NDEP), a diversified multi-asset portfolio encompassing endowment funds, working capital, and assets held for religious affiliates, with investments spanning public equities, private equity, multi-strategy, and other alternatives on a global basis (per University 2025 Annual Report and financial statements as of June 30, 2025). As of June 30, 2025, endowment and funds functioning as endowment within the NDEP totaled approximately $20.1 billion, while the full NDEP stood at $25.4 billion; the Pool generated a 13.6% net return for fiscal year 2025, ranking in the top decile of peers over multi-year periods (per 2025 Annual Report and Investment Office disclosures). Endowment payout, the largest portion directed to scholarships and fellowships, underpins financial aid, faculty support, academics, research, and operations, enabling need-blind and loan-free undergraduate admissions while preserving intergenerational purchasing power under Board-approved spending policies. The portfolio emphasizes long-term compounding aligned with the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service, stewarded as ‘family money’ with a partnering approach to external managers. Leadership continuity is a hallmark, with the Office reporting to the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees.