Endowment
Growing the endowment is fundamental to sustaining Xavier's long-term vision. This has never been truer than in the current economic crisis. Historically, Xavier's endowment has been much less than that of many Jesuit schools and substantially less than many competitor schools. This inequality puts the University at a distinct competitive disadvantage. The endowment had been growing in recent years, but even in relatively good times, it was only a fraction of what is needed to support the University into the future. Since last year, the endowment has slipped from $125 million to $85 million. Clearly, the need for your support is as high as it has ever been.
Xavier grants about $30 million worth of financial aid per year. Only about $2 million of that comes from funded endowment. The rest is a general budget item. If the University had a larger endowment, more of the general fund money could go for other good purposes.
Gerald De Brunner
Class of 1959, former member of the Board of Trustees
