Endowment Value: $212.8 Million (2019)
Ball State University is a public university located in Muncie, Indiana. Its endowment is managed by the Ball State University Foundation. The mission of the Ball State University Foundation is to “maximize sustainable support for Ball State University by obtaining, investing, and administering private gift support and prudently discharging its fiduciary obligations to the university, donors, and designated beneficiaries.”
In spring 2012, the university launched its geothermal heating and cooling system — the nation’s largest ground-source, closed-loop district geothermal energy system. Now, nearly fully operational, the system will cut the university’s carbon footprint in half and result in an annual savings of $2 million, said Jim Lowe, director of engineering, construction, and operations at Ball State.“When we shut down the coal-fired burners in March 2014, we not only reduced our dependence on fossil fuels, we also reduced carbon dioxide emissions and sulfur matter produced by burning coal,” Lowe said.
In 2015, board members of the Ball State University Foundation supported pursuing an alternative investment portfolio that adopts environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies. Currently, the foundation encourages its fund advisors and managers to incorporate ESG strategies into its investment portfolio. Further, foundation employees are developing opportunities for donors who wish to have gifts managed via more specific, restrictive criteria.
Ball State University is a participant or member of the following Initiatives & Commitments:
- IEN Founding Member
- AASHE STARS: Yes, Silver
- ACUPCC: Yes, Climate Neutral by 2030
- Billion Dollar Green Challenge: No
- CDP: No
- Committee on Investor Responsibility: No
- Divestment Goal: Yes
- Montreal Carbon Pledge: No
- Sustainable Investment Fund: Yes
- Sustainable Investment Policy: Yes
- Principles for Responsible Investment: No
Other Sustainable Investing Practices: