SAGUARO STRONG
2024 Annual and Endowment Report
Fuel Wonder Fundraising Progress
$2.2 billion
of $3 billion funded
77%
of goal
Dear friends,
Saguaros are slow growing, so much so that it can take 10 years to reach just a few inches tall. Their famous arms won’t appear for about 50-75 years, and they aren’t considered adult until 125.
Endowment growth is also slow and steady. Like the saguaro, a well-established endowment is resilient to changes in the world around it. The foundation’s investment committee and outsourced chief investment officer, Fund Evaluation Group, or FEG, focus on maintaining a diverse portfolio across asset classes while allocating a portion of assets to investments designed to protect capital in down markets.
I am pleased to report the endowment continued to provide steady, predictable funding for the programs donors like you chose to support through your philanthropy. Giving to the university also remained strong. In this report, you’ll find stories of new gifts that will support students, faculty and research, as well as gifts received years ago that continue to make an impact.
All gifts received since Jan. 1, 2017, are part of the Fuel Wonder campaign. This effort continues to increase the university’s ability to give students access to life-changing education, translate research into world-improving applications and rally our communities through arts and athletics. Nothing makes me more optimistic about the university’s future than the deep commitment of alumni and friends to help it thrive.
Finally, this fall the U of A welcomed a new president: Dr. Suresh Garimella. I’m thrilled to also welcome him to the Foundation Board of Trustees. Bright things are ahead for the university.
Bear Down and Go, ’Cats!
