University of Dayton

Endowment Value: $609.7 million (2020)

The University of Dayton is a private Roman Catholic research university located in Dayton, Ohio. It has approximately 11,000 students. All University investments are overseen by the Investment Committee of the University's Board of Trustees.

In 2014, the board of trustees at the University of Dayton unanimously voted to divest from coal and fossil fuels. At the time of the announcement, Dayton was the largest university and first U.S. Catholic educational institution to divest from fossil fuels. Daniel J. Curran, president of the University of Dayton, cited the necessity of aligning investments with the university’s values as the reason for divestment, stating “Our Marianist values of leadership and service to humanity call upon us to act on these principles and serve as a catalyst for civil discussion and positive change that benefits our planet.” UD’s Roman Catholic background made it a fitting host to a 2015 conference titled “Acting on Pope Francis’ Call: Divestment and Investment in Care for Our Common Home,” which brought together a contingent of business leaders, health care professionals, academics, and environmental activists.

In 2016 and 2017, the University of Dayton made investments in sustainable funds. 

For students interested in socially responsible investment, the University of Dayton offers the Hanley Sustainability Fund (HSF), a socially responsible student-managed equity portfolio.

The University of Dayton is a participant or member of the following Initiatives & Commitments: 

• IEN Founding Member (2016)
• AASHE STARS: Yes, Gold
• ACUPCC: Yes, no date set
• Billion Dollar Green Challenge: Yes
• CDP: No
• Committee on Investor Responsibility: Yes
• Divestment Goal: Yes, full
• INCR: No
• Montreal Carbon Pledge: No
• Sustainable Investment Fund: Yes
• Sustainable Investment Policy: Yes
• Principles for Responsible Investment: No

Other Sustainable Investing Activities and Resources: 

• Dayton divestment conference delves into ways to leave fossil fuels behind (November 2015)
• Sustainability at Dayton
• University of Dayton Trustee, Georges Hanley speaking at the Intentionally Designed Endowment Forum in Denver, May 2015
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGo6zKNUvt8&feature=youtu.be