For over 250 years, Columbia’s students, researchers, and faculty have been at the forefront of meaningful academic exploration and innovative research that serve to advance society. Support for the Columbia endowment provides essential funding to continue this mission for many years to come.
$15.9 billion
the value of the endowment for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025
12.4%
the FY25 return on managed assets in the endowment portfolio
9.9%
the trailing five-year return on endowment assets
7.8%
the trailing ten-year return on endowment assets
Columbia University Endowment Growth 2016 – 2025
Market Value as of June 30
Purposeful Investing in Our Future
The gifts that make up the endowment guarantee needed support for future students and faculty. The endowment comprises 6,700 individual funds, most of which are dedicated to a specific purpose: providing critical financial aid for students, supporting exceptional faculty in a given department, or funding cutting-edge research in a dedicated field.
Distributions from the Endowment Pool
In FY25, $664.1 million was distributed from the endowment in support of students, faculty, and University activities, for a spending rate of 4.9%.
The Columbia IMC
The Columbia Investment Management Company (IMC) manages the bulk of the University’s endowment. The IMC is governed by a Board of highly distinguished professionals from a variety of financial backgrounds and run by its management team, headed by its President and CEO, Kim Lew.
The IMC aims to grow the University’s endowment over the long term by focusing on steady, risk-aware investing rather than short-term market changes.
For more information about the endowment, the Columbia IMC, and a current Board listing:
