The UH Foundation's operating budget comes from:
- A contracted amount paid by the University of Hawaiʻi to the Foundation for fundraising and alumni relations services.
- An annual assessment on the market value of the endowment. The current endowment administration fee is 1.25% based on the June 30 endowment market value. The amount is determined annually and is applied quarterly.
- Interest on short-term investments.
- A one-time administrative assessment of 5% on all incoming gifts, including endowment gifts and other non-gift income.
- Effective January 1, 2025, a “Grant administration Fee” has been implemented for grant awards to support UH and UHF costs associated with administering and deploying philanthropic grants. The Grant Administration Fee will align with fee structures based on funder agreements and allowable rate limits.
The Foundation's Board of Trustees is responsible for reviewing, establishing and approving fee assessment rates and policies.
A smaller percentage of the operating budget comes from unrestricted gifts which are used to support students at the Foundation's call center who work to raise private gifts on behalf of the university and annual giving campaigns. These programs raise funds for all 10 campuses of the UH System.
