# Wayne State University Foundation

Wayne State University Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Detroit, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Detroit, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 5700 Cass Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, United States
- **Founded:** 2000
- **Assets under management:** 507.7 (per Altss research record, 2023)
- **Website:** wayne.edu
- **LinkedIn:** https://wayne.edu

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

The Wayne State University Foundation was created in 2000 by the university Board of Governors as a separate nonprofit corporation. It receives and manages philanthropic contributions that advance the university's academic and research programs. James Anderson serves as board chair while Paul Glantz leads the investment committee. The foundation deploys capital through a Consolidated Trust Fund that holds roughly 2,000 individual accounts. Allocations include commitments to SIG Private Equity Fund V LP, OCIO Global Private Equity Fund V, Renaissance Venture Capital Fund II and Perella Weinberg Partners ABV Opportunity Fund III. Real estate exposure appears through direct holdings such as the Hecker-Smiley Mansion and participation in campus redevelopment projects. Geographic focus remains concentrated in the United States with additional venture exposure via Warrior Ventures. Commonfund has acted as outsourced chief investment officer since 2022. The foundation maintains memberships in NACUBO, AGB and the Michigan Venture Capital Association. In January 2024 the foundation participated as a speaker at the Detroit Policy Conference on talent retention in Michigan. The organization also sponsors the Mandela Washington Fellowship program. Governance rests with an independent board that separates investment decisions from university administration. This structure allows the foundation to maintain its own investment policy while directing distributions exclusively to Wayne State University initiatives.

## Sectors

- Education

## People

- James Anderson — Chair of the Board of Directors
- Paul Glantz — Chairman of the Investment Committee
- Elizabeth A. Goldsberry — Chair of the Investment Committee

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Wayne State University Foundation?

Paul Glantz chairs the Investment Committee. Elizabeth A. Goldsberry also serves on the committee. Commonfund provides day-to-day OCIO services under board oversight.

### Does Wayne State University Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation acts primarily as a limited partner in funds. Confirmed holdings include SIG Private Equity Fund V LP and Renaissance Venture Capital Fund II.

### What investment stages does Wayne State University Foundation typically target?

The foundation allocates across private equity, venture capital and real estate. Holdings span established funds and early-stage vehicles such as Venture Partners XIV.

### How is Wayne State University Foundation related to the university?

The foundation was established by the university Board of Governors in 2000 as a separate 501(c)(3). It manages gifts and the endowment while directing distributions to university scholarships, faculty support and facilities.

### What is Wayne State University Foundation's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

The foundation invests through fund commitments rather than direct co-investments. No direct co-investment activity is recorded in current holdings.

## Related profiles

- [NoVo Foundation](https://altss.com/profile/novo-foundation)
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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/wayne-state-university-foundation

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