The fund achieved a 27% return, with donations rising to $1.5 billion. Driven by broad stock market gains and returns from hedge fund portfolios, the endowment increased by a total of $11 billion during the period.
Harvard's performance easily surpassed the 19% median pre-fee return for large U.S. university endowments, marking its best annual performance since 2021.
As Harvard adjusted operations and cut costs, the university recorded a $100 million surplus, compared to a deficit of similar size in the previous fiscal year.
However, the strong annual return has not resolved Harvard's underlying financial challenges, and concerns remain about future government funding for scientific research. In Harvard's most recent fiscal year, federal funding for scientific research declined by 20%. (rc)
