(Idaho Department of Lands Press Release, August 18, 2026)
Boise, ID – The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) approved a record distribution of $132.5 million to endowment beneficiaries in Fiscal Year 2028. This eclipses the prior year record of $117.3 million by 13%.
Land Board members include the Governor, State Controller, Secretary of State, Attorney General and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Endowment Fund Investment Board (EFIB) manages the endowment fund, which had a balance of $4.1 billion at the end of the fiscal year. Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) manages nearly 2.5 million acres of endowment land held in trust for the financial support of endowment beneficiaries. The Land Board oversees both the EFIB and IDL.
The Endowment Fund generated an investment return of 16.6% and the Idaho Department of Lands generated $52.4 million in net revenue during fiscal year 2026. EFIB and IDL ended the fiscal year with healthy financial reserves and a solid backlog of timber orders.
“We are pleased with the continued growth in endowment fund returns, setting record distributions for many years,” said Endowment Fund Investment Board Manager (EFIB) Manager Chris Anton. “Stewardship of the endowment fund and endowment land ensures the beneficiaries will receive strong returns for years to come.”
“Record setting returns for the endowment beneficiaries like our public schools, show the success of the efforts of the endowment fund and endowment land working together,” explained Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Director Dustin Miller. “The financial and land assets coupled together will continue to provide reliable and consistent sources of funding for beneficiaries for generations.”
Endowment beneficiaries include Idaho’s public schools, colleges and universities, and veterans’ homes, among others.
