With Yale’s multi-billion dollar endowment, why does Yale need more money?

For specific information on the endowment, please visit the Investment Office’s website to download the most recent Endowment Update.

  • Distributions from the endowment only account for 35% of Yale’s operating budget.
  • The majority of endowment funds are restricted for very specific purposes such as a particular professorship or program.
  • Based on a 5% endowment payout, $100 in annual giving contributes the same amount to Yale’s budget as the typical distribution from $2,000 of capital in the endowment.
  • Endowment funds support specific existing university needs, while the Alumni Fund provides funds necessary for emerging priorities and new projects and initiatives.