The University Financing Foundation Inc
The University Financing Foundation, Inc. (TUFF) is a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1982, TUFF specializes in developing and acquiring mission-essential facilities for institutions of education and research. The organization works directly with universities and research institutions to create strategies for affordable financing, development, and occupancy of facilities, while engineering innovative financial solutions that increase institutional impact.
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
Mission & Focus Areas
TUFF's core mission centers on creating vibrant communities of innovation where great ideas are born and groundbreaking research takes place. The organization focuses on:
- Facility Development and Acquisition: Developing new facilities and renovating existing structures through strategic activations
- Affordable Financing Strategies: Creating below-market leasing options, flexible lease terms, and direct facility gifts to minimize institutional costs
- Risk Reduction: Reducing institutional exposure to ownership risk through creative financial and construction approaches
- Mission-Essential Infrastructure: Developing labs, classrooms, research parks, student housing, and other facilities that enable institutional growth
Grantmaking
Rather than traditional grantmaking, TUFF operates through facility development and financing arrangements. The organization:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
TUFF's portfolio demonstrates activity across multiple states, with particular concentration in the Southeast. Notable project locations include Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Illinois, reflecting work with institutions ranging from major research universities to regional institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Rather than traditional grantmaking, TUFF operates through facility development and financing arrangements. The organization:
- Deploys creative strategies to achieve affordability for educational institutions
- Crafts lease agreements that minimize occupancy costs while maximizing educational potential
- Pursues developments efficiently while selecting appropriate financial, construction, and design options
- Navigates complex regulatory and institutional constraints to deliver solutions
| 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 | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
212 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Georgia Tech Foundation Properties Llc ($1,050,000), University System of Ga Foundation ($100,000), Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (pin) ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN ANGLICAN COUNCIL LOGANVILLE, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| AMERICAN LEGION POST 0029 MARIETTA, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $150 |
| ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PARKS TUCSON, AZ | SPONSORSHIP | $25,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PARKS TUCSON, AZ | SPONSORSHIP | $25,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHEASTERN NC WILMINGTON, NC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHEASTERN NC WILMINGTON, NC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA FOUNDATION ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| FRIENDS OF THE GEORGIA ARCHIVES MORROW, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| GEORGIA TECH FOUNDATION PROPERTIES LLC ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,050,000 |
| GEORGIA TECH FOUNDATION INC ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
TUFF employs 9 people and maintains headquarters at 75 5th Street, NW, Suite 1050, Atlanta, GA 30308. The organization operates with an administrative office at the same address (Suite 1025).
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS H HALL III | DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 5.5 | $105,033 |
| THOMAS H HALL III | CONSULTANT | 6.2 | $112,850 |
| THOMAS W VENTULETT III | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY (TO 12/2023) | 5.5 | $11,617 |
| DAVID M MCKENNEY | DIRECTOR, TREASURER, ASSISTANT SECRETA | 5.5 | $102,950 |
| HANK HARRIS | DIRECTOR (FROM 01/2024) | 5.5 | $85,800 |
| AJ ROBINSON | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 5.5 | $99,700 |
| KEVIN T BYRNE | DIRECTOR | — | $69,000 |
| KEVIN T BYRNE | PRESIDENT, CEO, COO, ASSISTANT TREASUR | 40 | $1,010,000 |
| VICTOR R CLEMENTS | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT - ADMINISTRATION | 40 | $544,000 |
| TERESA A FAILLA | ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF | 40 | $304,500 |
| MICHAEL K HAIR | VP - FINANCE (FROM 01/24 - 03/2024) | 40 | $65,658 |
| KYLE M TERRY | VP - FINANCE (FROM 9/1/2024 - 9/30/24) | 40 | $22,772 |
| LISA A BEALL | CONTROLLER, ASSISTANT TREASURER | 40 | $269,000 |
| ANNE M TOMSKY | ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $238,500 |
| DAVID E ANDERSON | VP - REAL ESTATE (FROM 06/2024) | 40 | $139,327 |
Contact Information
Phone: (404) 214-9200
Email: Available through website contact form
Address: 75 5th Street, NW, Suite 1050, Atlanta, GA 30308
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The University Financing Foundation Inc fund?
TUFF's core mission centers on creating vibrant communities of innovation where great ideas are born and groundbreaking research takes place. The organization focuses on: • **Facility Development and Acquisition**: Developing new facilities and renovating existing structures through strategic activations • **Affordable Financing Strategies**: Creating below-market leasing options, flexible lease terms, and direct facility gifts to minimize institutional costs • **Risk Reduction**: Reducing inst…
How do I apply for a grant from The University Financing Foundation Inc?
Rather than traditional grantmaking, TUFF operates through facility development and financing arrangements. The organization: • Deploys creative strategies to achieve affordability for educational institutions • Crafts lease agreements that minimize occupancy costs while maximizing educational potential • Pursues developments efficiently while selecting appropriate financial, construction, and design options • Navigates complex regulatory and institutional constraints to deliver solutions
Where does The University Financing Foundation Inc make grants?
TUFF's portfolio demonstrates activity across multiple states, with particular concentration in the Southeast. Notable project locations include Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Illinois, reflecting work with institutions ranging from major research universities to regional institutions.
What size grants does The University Financing Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The University Financing Foundation Inc awarded 35 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $40K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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