Western Michigan University Foundation

Western Michigan University Foundation

The Western Michigan University Foundation was established in 1976 by alumni and friends. It functions as an independent tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation that raises funds and manages an endowment for the university's teaching, research, and service mission. Larry Lueth holds the role of president. The foundation allocates across public equities, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds. Confirmed positions include commitments to Maranon Capital, Huron Capital, Homestead Capital, Resource Land Holdings, Commonfund Venture Capital Partners, and Siguler Guff Distressed Opportunities. It also holds direct interests in Vestaron Corporation, SeaStar Medical, and ONL Therapeutics through the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center. Geographic exposure spans North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. The endowment reports 760.3 million USD in assets. It maintains additional offices or operations only in Kalamazoo. The foundation participates in the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges and the CFA Society of West Michigan. February 2025: Sponsored the Corporate Engagement Hockey Tailgate event focused on corporate partnerships. The foundation operates exclusively for the benefit of Western Michigan University as its primary beneficiary. Governance ties include overlapping board roles with Greenleaf Trust and direct ownership of the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center as a 100 percent holding company.