The Permanent Health Fund (PHF) is an internal U. T. System mutual fund for the pooled investment of state endowment funds for health-related institutions of higher education. These endowments were created, effective August 30, 1999, by the Texas Legislature and funded with proceeds from state tobacco litigation. The state endowment funds invested in the PHF consist of the Permanent Health Fund for Higher Education and eight separate Permanent Funds for Health-related Institutions. The distributions from the PHF endowments fund programs that benefit medical research, health education, public health, nursing, and treatment programs at health-related institutions of higher education.
On March 1, 2001, the PHF purchased units in the General Endowment Fund (GEF) in exchange for the contribution of its invesment assets.
An endowment is a permanent investment in the future of the University. Endowed funds are invested, rather than used
as cash for immediate needs. A portion of the earnings from an endowment is distributed to the University.
The remainder is added back into the principal, ensuring steady growth of the endowment. Private endowments are primarily invested in units of the Long Term Fund.
Development staffs at each campus or at the U.T. System are available to assist donors to structure gifts to provide the greatest positive
impact to the institution and the donor. To contact a development officer at one of the 15 U.T. System institutions, or
at the U.T. System itself, please see our list of institution development offices or contact the
U.T. System Office of External Relations.
