Investing for the Long-Term
By maintaining a long-term perspective, we seek to generate risk-adjusted returns that exceed inflation and spending needs, allowing Pomona to provide financial aid, faculty support, and academic excellence without interruption for generations.
Investment Philosophy & Strategy
At Pomona College, we are committed to stewarding our endowment in a way that ensures the financial strength of the institution for generations to come. Our investment philosophy is guided by three core principles:
The endowment is invested to preserve its real (inflation-adjusted) purchasing power while generating sustainable returns to support the College’s mission.
We construct a diversified portfolio across asset classes to minimize risk while maximizing long-term growth.
Our strategy ensures that current and future students benefit equally from endowment support.
Investment Process
Our investment process follows a disciplined approach to identify, evaluate, and implement new investments that align with the endowment’s goals. Our structured approach ensures that every investment is selected with care, maintaining the integrity and stability of the endowment.
We assess gaps in the portfolio based on asset allocation targets, manager performance, macroeconomic shifts, and liquidity needs.
Investment opportunities are sourced through databases, consultants, and our network of investment professionals.
Due Diligence
We conduct extensive research, including reviewing drivers of historical performance, evaluating the quality of the team, and conducting on-site visits.
Investments Committee Review
New investments are reviewed by the Investments Committee of the Board of Trustees, bringing added accountability and ensuring alignment with Pomona’s long-term strategy.
Ongoing Monitoring
Approved investments undergo continuous evaluation to ensure performance expectations are met.
Current Asset Allocation
Pomona’s endowment is invested across a mix of asset classes to achieve a balance between growth and stability. Scroll the table from left to right on smaller screens to see the full view.
Portfolio Performance
Over the trailing one-, three-, five-, seven-, and ten-year periods, the Pomona College endowment has outperformed both its policy benchmark and a simple benchmark of 70% stocks and 30% bonds. Scroll the table from left to right on smaller screens to see the full view.
Manager Selection & Oversight
Pomona does not directly select individual stocks or securities. Instead, we partner with nearly 60 external investment managers who specialize in various asset classes. Once engaged, investment managers are continually assessed to ensure they uphold our high standards for performance and integrity.
Each manager is selected through a rigorous process that evaluates:
Historical performance and expertise
Investment philosophy and risk management approach
Ethical and governance practices
Fees and alignment with Pomona’s objectives
Addressing Social & Ethical Investment Concerns
We recognize that investment decisions can be a topic of interest and debate within the Pomona community. While the Board of Trustees is committed to maximizing returns for the College’s long-term benefit, we also consider broader ethical implications in our investment approach. We invite the Pomona community to participate in constructive discussions and provide input through our stakeholder engagement initiatives.
While Pomona does not have explicit ESG investment guidelines, factors such as environmental impact, corporate governance, and social responsibility are evaluated as part of our manager selection process.
The Board does not use the endowment to take political stances or engage in social advocacy. However, in extraordinary circumstances, investment concerns may be reviewed through a structured process.
The Board is working to reinstate a stakeholder committee to facilitate discussions on ethical investment concerns raised by the community.
Annual Reports & Regular Updates (Fall 2025)
In order to enhance transparency, Pomona College is committed to sharing regular updates on the endowment’s performance and strategy.
In Fall 2025 you'll be able to access the Annual Investment Report—a detailed review of portfolio performance, asset allocation, and investment strategy.
