POSSIBLE
MAKE IT POSSIBLE
Furman’s generous alumni, parents and friends form the cornerstone for our success as a top liberal arts and sciences university. Contributions to the endowment provide a steady and reliable source of financial support to help the university offer The Furman Advantage to every student. As the university enters its next chapter, private support will be vital to advancing the mission of Furman and equipping students to make an impact — now and for generations
to come.
During the 2018-19 fiscal year, more than 8,700 donors contributed $32.6 million in support of student scholarships and experiences, including internships, research and study away opportunities; faculty development and research; the Paladin Club and athletics programs and facilities; and academic departments, institutes and student life programming, such as the Heller Service Corps.
During this year’s Dins Day celebration, alumni, parents, faculty and staff flooded social media with fond memories, success stories and points of Paladin pride. Together, the Furman family raised a record $2.6 million in 24 hours.
Overall, alumni participation increased to 22.5% — with our youngest alumni leading the way. The classes of 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 raised their percentage of giving over the previous year from 1% to 3.5%.
As Furman continues to claim its place among the nation’s premier liberal arts and sciences universities, every gift from every donor enhances the lifelong value of a Furman education and provides the resources needed for the university to reach its highest aspirations. In doing so, Furman prepares this and future generations of students to succeed in a complex, global world — a world that’s calling for educated citizens who can think critically, communicate clearly and lead boldly.
As of June 30, 2018, Furman’s total endowment was valued at $703 million, of which $523 million was invested in the endowment pool (the portion under the decision-making authority of the university). The remainder of the endowment is separately invested or managed by other entities.
During the 2017-18 fiscal year, approximately $33 million was distributed from the total endowment, in accordance with the board-approved spending policy. These assets contributed approximately 21.7% to the university’s annual budget.
The Furman University Investment Office collaborates with the Furman Board of Trustees’ Investment Committee, the university’s vice president for finance and administration, the associate vice president for finance, a financial services controller and external consultants to preserve and enhance the purchasing power of the endowment and support the current and future operations of Furman.
The university has adopted an investment strategy that emphasizes the prudent management of risk, while working to generate long-term total return. Investments are diversified across a broad variety of asset classes — a strategy that, historically, has been shown to mitigate risk while enhancing portfolio performance.
QUESTION
Susan visit campus for the 2018
Benefactors Induction.
“Afer my wife, Susan, and I spend time with students, there’s never a question of whether we will give — it’s only a question of how much.”
— ALEC TAYLOR ’75
Furman University Board of Trustees
Investment performance
The investment return of the endowment pool for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, was +9.2%. This compares to a global 70% stocks/30% bonds portfolio benchmark return of 7.9%.
In the figure above, Furman’s endowment pool return, as of June 30, 2018, is compared to a globally diversified 70% stocks/30% bonds portfolio and the Furman University Policy Index. Furman’s annualized returns for the three-year, five-year and 10-year periods are 6.8%, 7.5% and 6.2%, respectively.
The opportunity to invest
For Robert ’83 and Margaret Hill ’83, investing in the Office for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will allow them to help provide students with opportunities they might not find at another university. The newly established initiative aims to foster entrepreneurialism at Furman by addressing workforce trends and contributing to the local and regional community.
“Giving to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative helps ensure students will learn and grow alongside supportive faculty and staff and in the broader community,” said Robert Hill, who is chairman of the Leadership Council for the initiative.
“The Furman family has a responsibility and an opportunity to invest in our students, and this is a wonderful way to help them create a better world through their innovative ideas and talents.”
As the university enters its next chapter, private support like the Hills’ is more important than ever. Giving through Furman will make it possible for students to make their own mark on the world. Together, we can empower them — today and for years to come.
Students on Summer Orientation staff pose in front of the Bell Tower in 2019.