Harvard University's endowment is valued at approximately $53.2 billion as of June 30, 2024, making it the largest academic endowment in the world
. This endowment consists of about 14,600 individual funds, most of which are restricted by donor specifications to support specific programs or purposes within the university
. In fiscal year 2024, the endowment generated a 9.6% return on investments, contributing $2.4 billion in distributions that cover nearly 37% of Harvard's annual revenue, funding areas such as financial aid, faculty salaries, and research initiatives
. The endowment's largest investment allocations are in private equity (39%) and hedge funds (32%), with a smaller portion (14%) in public equities to manage risk
. Overall, Harvard's endowment provides significant financial support and flexibility for the university's operations and long-term goals, though most funds are donor-restricted and tied to specific uses
