The solid foundation I received at UW has opened many doors for me. I think it is important to give while you are 'alive and taking nourishment,' and it will be such a joy to see the new building on its completion.

- Mary Behrens ('64 BS Nursing)

Financial and Annual Reports

The year 2007 was a year of change for the University of Wisconsin Foundation. From an investment perspective, the market reversed its positive course and took back some of the gains investors had worked so hard to win. Weighing heavily in the Foundation’s favor and providing for success in this difficult market environment was our diversified asset allocation. The total return on our endowment pool for the year ending December 31, 2007, of 12.8 percent considerably outperformed traditional stock market indexes that posted single-digit returns.

The financial highlights of 2007 include: total assets under management of $2.883 billion; contributions, including pledges receivable of $334.4 million, and more than $228 million in support transferred to or for the benefit of the University.
Winter scene on Bascom Hill
The UW Foundation staff and board believe strongly that expense management is a top priority in achieving good stewardship. An important part of stewardship for a charitable organization is the ratio of administrative expenses to contributions. Administrative expenses, excluding investment expenses, are compared to contributions received to reflect the cost of raising a dollar. Over the past five years, the UW Foundation's average cost of raising a dollar has been 6.1 percent, well below national averages.