Who We Are A non-profit real estate development firm that invests in education and research We help colleges, universities, and civic institutions obtain built-to-suit facilities at below-market costs. Since 1982, over 40 institutions have relied on the University Financing Foundation, or “TUFF,” for tax-exempt capital, direct investment, and strategic development counsel. A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we help partner institutions access below-market financing for the development and acquisition of facilities. Here’s our promise to you: mission alignment. Your institution has an education or research mission, and we strive to make your mission ours. After financing over $1 billion in projects, issuing $50 million in direct loans, and donating over $8 million, we’ve come a long way. Today, our facilities deliver vibrancy, commerce, and opportunity to campuses and communities nationwide. A little history In the early 1980s, Georgia Tech needed new facilities to accommodate an expanding research enterprise. But with no available funding from the state, the university would have to rely on private developers – a scenario that entailed high costs and high risk. Georgia Tech’s president knew there had to be a better way. He approached three alumni with this request: Help us lower development costs and reduce institutional risk. In response, they created this formula: • Create a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization focused on the expansion of education and research. • Assist institutions with similar missions by providing tax-exempt financing for facilities development. • Lease facilities to institutions at below-market rates and employ strategies to make occupancy affordable. • Offer to convey facilities to occupying institutions in the form of a direct gift at the retirement of a lease. Using this formula, we developed Georgia Tech’s six-story, 200,000 square foot Centennial Research Building. Since that first project, we’ve played an active role in the development and financing of education and research facilities around the nation.