The University of Dayton and The Dayton Foundation partnership that allows undergraduates to manage $3.7 million in donor funds has earned international recognition as one of AACSB’s 2024 Innovations That Inspire.

AACSB International — the world’s largest business education alliance — chose the Davis Center for Portfolio Management partnership for “contributing to a better world” and “demonstrating the important role business schools play in our society,” according to Lily Bi, AACSB president and CEO. 

The partnership has grown from its initial $1.5 million in 2019 through capital gains and additional donations. Students make all the decisions to buy, sell or hold equities, fixed income and real assets. They have donated $27,000 of their management fee to local charities to date.

“The Dayton Foundation’s partnership with the University of Dayton Davis Center for Portfolio Management has exceeded our expectations, and we profoundly congratulate them on this most distinguished honor,” said Mike Parks, president of The Dayton Foundation. “This win-win partnership between undergraduate students and The Dayton Foundation’s fund holders is a world-class example of student-centered, experiential learning that also is providing this next generation of leaders with valuable charitable giving knowledge.”

In addition to The Dayton Foundation partnership, the Davis Center also manages the Flyer Investments Fund, the largest undergraduate-run investment portfolio in the country valued at more than $68 million. Students consistently beat the benchmark S&P 500 Index, outperforming many professional money managers. 

“Managing a portion of UD’s endowment and collaborating with an outside client in The Dayton Foundation gives us an unmatched experience,” said Jimmy Olson, Davis Center senior manager. “We are grateful for the trust The Dayton Foundation has placed in us and proud of our record of managing their donor funds so far.”

More information about the recognition is available at aacsb.edu/innovations-that-inspire.