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University of Minnesota Foundation Investment Advisors

EIN 41-1931343 · Minneapolis, MN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF STEWARDSHIP FOR UNIVERSITY DONORS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION'S ASSETS BY CREATING A FOCUSED INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT WITH CLARITY OF PURPOSE, APPROPRIATE FLEXIBILITY, AND FREEDOM TO FOCUS ON INVESTMENT-RELATED ISSUES.

Income
$6.8 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
17
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$1.3 million, chief investment officer & president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 95% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $6.0 million spent. THE CORPORATION OVERSEES THE MANAGEMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION'S FINANCIAL ASSETS. THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION (FOUNDATION) DETERMINED THAT THE GROWTH OF ITS ASSETS AND DIVERSIFICATION OF ITS PORTFOLIO NECESSITATE A MORE EFFECTIVE METHOD OF MANAGEMENT. THEREFORE, THE FOUNDATION CREATED THE CORPORATION IN 1998 TO BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY OVERSIGHT OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S ASSETS. THE CORPORATION'S STREAMLINED STRUCTURE ENABLES IT TO RETAIN A HIGH CALIBER CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER. IT ALSO ENABLES THE CORPORATION TO ATTRACT COMMUNITY BOARD MEMBERS WITH FINANCIAL EXPERTISE, TO MORE EFFECTIVELY UTILIZE THE FINANCIAL AND INVESTMENT EXPERTISE OF ITS BOARD MEMBERS, MORE RAPIDLY RESPOND TO CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS, AND PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF ITS OUTSIDE INVESTMENT MANAGERS. THE CORPORATION ALSO PROVIDES SERVICES TO ONE OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: University of Minnesota Foundation (Minneapolis, MN), EIN 41-6042488. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.