Financial Information
The SIUE Foundation staff work diligently to uphold the highest standards in accounting and stewardship practices.
The Foundation is responsible for processing, recording and reporting all financial activities related to the fundraising activities of the SIUE Foundation and the University. These activities include, but are not limited to:
- Accepting and posting gifts
- Tracking income and expenses related to events
- Issuing gift receipts
- Preparing payments from various accounts at the Foundation
- Preparing annual financial statements
- Reviewing payment requests from University units to ensure donor gifts are being used as directed
In addition, the Foundation staff work with investment managers and the SIUE Foundation Board Finance and Investment Committee to ensure funds are invested wisely in order to maximize returns while meeting liquidity needs and controlling risk exposure.
Helpful Forms
SIUEF Authorization of Disbursement (updated 1/24/24)
SIUEF Sample Gift OTC Breakdown
SIUEF Fund Transfer Request Form
Investment Policies
Investment
The SIUE Foundation follows an investment policy that is conservative, prudent and fiscally sound. The Foundation Board Finance and Investment Committee, in accordance with the investment policy, works to balance the need for current funds with the need to preserve the buying power of the Foundation’s endowment. The Foundation’s holdings are invested according to category. The endowment pool and planned giving assets are invested both in equities and fixed-income instruments. The non-endowment pool, because of the necessity to have ready access to these funds, is limited to a 40% allocation to equity investments, with the remainder invested in fixed income instruments.
Distribution of Earnings
Endowments preserve the principal of the gift while providing income (earnings) for a program account specified by the donor(s). The annual earnings from the endowments are distributed in accordance with the intended purpose of the donor, as well as the endowment account classification. The distribution policy may be changed at the direction of the SIUE Foundation Finance and Investment Committee.
Management Fees and Retained Interest
An annual investment management fee of 1.25% of the market values of the endowment pool is assessed on the average balance and includes the advisor fees charged by the investment advisor. The remainder of the management fee is used to support the general charitable purposes of the Foundation and for purposes of defraying its expenses. Investment income derived from the current restricted accounts on account balances is retained by the Foundation. Current restricted accounts do not include endowments or charitable gift annuity funds.
Investment Managers
The Foundation utilizes the consulting services of Mercer LLC for endowment investments. With recommendations and assistance from Mercer, endowment investments are managed by a diverse group of investment managers with Charles Schwab serving as custodian. Non-endowed investments are managed by Mercer LLC in coordination with cash flow analysis provided by the Department of Financial Affairs. Planned giving investments (charitable gift annuities) are managed by CNB Bank and Trust, N.A., who is under contract as the Planned Giving Administrator for the Foundation.
Investment Categories and Earnings
The SIUE Foundation maintains cash and investments in four major investment account categories. Learn More.
Audited Financial Statements
Financial statements are audited annually by an independent accounting firm. The three most recent years of audited financial statements are available below.
