The New College Foundation is touting top-tier investment performance, reporting endowment returns that outpaced both state and national peers in the latest fiscal year.
The foundation ranked No. 1 among all State University System (SUS) foundations in Florida and the nation for both one- and three-year returns, according to a press release from the New College Foundation. The release cites data from the Fiscal Year 2025 survey of university system foundations and the 2025 National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)-Commonfund Study of Endowments.
The Foundation posted a 16.9% one-year return for Fiscal Year 2025, significantly above the national average of 10.9% reported in the NACUBO-Commonfund study. Over a three-year period, returns reached 12.5%, compared to a 10% national average.
“This achievement underscores the Foundation’s unwavering focus on stewardship and performance,” Interim Executive Director of the New College Foundation and Vice Provost David Rancourt said in a statement.
“Delivering the highest returns in the SUS and at the national level demonstrates that our investment approach is both strategic and resilient. This level of success translates into real opportunities for New College students, enabling the college to expand access, invest in innovation, and reinforce its position as a leader in public liberal arts education.”
The endowment returns play a critical role in funding scholarships, faculty support, academic programs, and strategic initiatives. The latest figures come as the college continues a broader fundraising push tied to its ongoing institutional overhaul. Since 2023, foundation assets have grown by roughly 40%, according to the release, alongside a surge in philanthropic activity.
In 2025 alone, the Foundation reported more than $7 million in gifts and pledges, including several seven-figure donations supporting campus initiatives such as the Contemplative Center and Socratic Stage. Total fundraising nearly doubled compared to pre-2023 averages, while the number of donors climbed to about 2,500 — a more than 90% increase from 2022 levels.
The New College Foundation, a nonprofit governed by a volunteer board, manages the institution’s endowment and related funds, with investment growth intended to support students and academic initiatives.
Foundation officials credited a “disciplined investment strategy” for driving returns amid shifting market conditions, positioning the endowment as a key financial pillar as the college seeks to expand programs and enrollment.
