The University Financing Foundation Inc
The University Financing Foundation Inc. (TUFF) is an Atlanta-based private foundation focused on facilities and equipment for education and research organizations. It finances and acquires facilities and equipment for tax-exempt schools, colleges, universities, and other tax-exempt educational and research organizations, and makes them available at rental or interest rates below market rates for comparable facilities.
Key facts about The University Financing Foundation Inc
In short: The University Financing Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $40K), mostly in Georgia. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 58-1505902
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,398,070
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- Average grant
- $39,945
- Median grant
- $1,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (12 of 30, 2024)
- Total assets
- $512,907,499
- Primary geography
- Georgia (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$512.9M
+2.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+329.2% YoY
Grant Count
35
-14.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$40K
+402.8% YoY
Is The University Financing Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 30 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $95K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $2K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
TUFF’s stated mission is to help institutions of education and research obtain facilities and equipment at below-market costs. Its work includes developing and acquiring facilities such as labs, classrooms, research parks, and dorms; arranging below-market financing and lease terms; and using tools such as tax-exempt financing, philanthropy, and equity investments.
In its 2024 filing, TUFF reported making a $5,920,000 capital investment in 700 Technology Drive Owner LLC to acquire an 80% membership interest in the LLC in furtherance of its tax-exempt purposes.
2024 grant recipients included Georgia Tech Foundation Properties LLC, the University System of Georgia Foundation, and the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation. The Association of University Research Parks received two grants of $25,000 each; its stated mission is to foster innovation, commercialization, and economic growth through university, industry, and government partnerships. The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta received $20,000; it describes its priority as equity and its strategic plan as a blueprint for championing equity and leading in collaboration.
Grantmaking
In 2024, TUFF reported 35 grants totaling $1,398,070. Grant amounts ranged from $10 to $1,050,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest grants included $1,050,000 to Georgia Tech Foundation Properties LLC for general support; $100,000 to the University System of Georgia Foundation for general support; and $75,000 to the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation for general support. Other reported awards included $25,000 grants to the Association of University Research Parks for sponsorship, and $20,000 to Georgia Tech Foundation Inc. for general support.
How to Apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with The University Financing Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia. The remaining reported shares went to Arizona (4%), South Carolina (3%), Florida (1%), and Iowa (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $314K (2021) to $57.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Georgia Tech Foundation Properties LLC ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
212 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 196 grants of 212 (92%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech Foundation Properties LLC Atlanta, GA | General Support | $1,050,000 |
| University System of GA Foundation Athens, GA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (Pin) Atlanta, GA | General Support | $75,000 |
| Association of University Research Parks Tucson, AZ | Sponsorship | $25,000 |
| Association of University Research Parks Tucson, AZ | Sponsorship | $25,000 |
| Georgia Tech Foundation Inc Atlanta, GA | General Support | $20,000 |
| The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Inc Atlanta, GA | General Support | $20,000 |
| International Business Innovation Association Orlando, FL | Sponsorship | $18,000 |
| Uidp Columbia, SC | Sponsorship | $15,000 |
| Uidp Columbia, SC | Sponsorship | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $512,907,499 | $46,674,733 | $42,661,918 | $1,398,070 |
| 2023 | $499,661,037 | $52,701,961 | $48,674,943 | $325,743 |
| 2022 | $708,479,784 | $70,788,810 | $61,322,399 | $57,862,072 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $512,907,499 | $499,661,037 | $708,479,784 |
| Revenue | $46,674,733 | $52,701,961 | $70,788,810 |
| Expenses | $42,661,918 | $48,674,943 | $61,322,399 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $17,903,637 | $38,770,263 | $62,767,041 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,576,436 | $6,042,279 | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thomas H. Hall III as director and assistant secretary, and also as a consultant. Other listed officers and directors include Thomas W. Ventulett III, director and secretary through December 2023; David M. McKenney, director, treasurer, and assistant secretary; Hank Harris, director from January 2024; AJ Robinson, director and secretary; and Kevin T. Byrne, director, president, CEO, COO, and assistant treasurer. The filing also lists Victor R. Clements as senior vice president of administration and Teresa A. Failla as assistant vice president and chief of [title as listed].
The University Financing Foundation Inc is led by Kevin T. Byrne, Director, President, CEO, COO & Assistant Treasurer since 2022 (on filings since 2020); all 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kevin T. Byrne
Director, President, CEO, COO & Assistant Treasurer
President, CEO, COO, Assistant Treasurer & Assistant Secretary → Director, President, CEO, COO & Assistant Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$967K (2020) → $1M (2024)
Aj Robinson
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
5.5 hrs/week
$77K (2020) → $100K (2024)
David M. McKenney
Director, Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
5.5 hrs/week
$79K (2020) → $103K (2024)
Thomas H. Hall III
Director, Assistant Secretary & Consultant
On filings since 2020
6.2 hrs/week
$190K (2020) → $113K (2024)
Thomas W. Ventulett III
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
5.5 hrs/week
$80K (2020) → $12K (2024)
Hank Harris
Director
New on the 2024 filing
5.5 hrs/week
$86K (2024)
Lisa A. Beall
Controller & Assistant Treasurer
Controller, Assistant Treasurer & Assistant Secretary → Controller & Assistant Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$199K (2020) → $269K (2024)
Victor R. Clements
Senior Vice President - Administration
Vice President-Administration → Senior Vice President - Administration, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$336K (2020) → $544K (2024)
Anne M. Tomsky
Assistant Vice President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$155K (2021) → $239K (2024)
Michael K. Hair
Vice President - Finance
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$94K (2022) → $66K (2024)
Teresa A. Failla
Assistant Vice President & Chief of
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$288K (2023) → $305K (2024)
David E. Anderson
Vice President - Real Estate
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$139K (2024)
Kyle M. Terry
Vice President - Finance
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$23K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Seth P. Garrett (2023) — Vice President - Real Estate
- Former: Jordan Peterson (2020–2022) — Vice President - Real Estate
- Former: Teresa A. Sellman (2022) — Assistant Vice President & Chief of
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $1.0M, to Kevin T Byrne (President, CEO, COO, Assistant Treasur). 15 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 75 5Th St Nw Suite 1025, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 214-9440
Website: https://www.tuff.org
Frequently asked questions about The University Financing Foundation Inc
How much does The University Financing Foundation Inc give each year?
The University Financing Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $326K across 41 grants.
What is The University Financing Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The University Financing Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $39,945, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The University Financing Foundation Inc that year got $95K on average.
Where does The University Financing Foundation Inc give grants?
The University Financing Foundation Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (8 grants), Columbia, SC (3 grants), Tucson, AZ (2 grants) and Wilmington, NC (2 grants).
Does The University Financing Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 77% of The University Financing Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (27 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Sponsorship" (8 grants).
Who are The University Financing Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The University Financing Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Georgia Tech Foundation Properties LLC ($1,050,000), University System of GA Foundation ($100,000) and Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (Pin) ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The University Financing Foundation Inc?
The University Financing Foundation Inc reported $512.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $46.7M.
What does The University Financing Foundation Inc fund?
TUFF’s stated mission is to help institutions of education and research obtain facilities and equipment at below-market costs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The University Financing Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The University Financing Foundation Inc's EIN?
The University Financing Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1505902. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The University Financing Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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