January 19, 2021 The Idaho endowment fund generated an investment return of 16.3% during calendar year 2020 and ended the year with a balance of $2.8 billion. The endowment fund generates millions for its beneficiaries every year and distributions in fiscal year 2021 set another record: More than $88 million will go to endowment land beneficiaries. In addition to earnings from the endowment fund, money comes from timber sales and leases on Idaho’s 2.5 million acres of endowment land. Endowment distributions support Idaho public schools, universities, state hospitals for the mentally ill, state veterans homes, the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, Idaho’s juvenile corrections system, and Idaho’s prison system. The Land Board is comprised of the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Controller, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. (Idaho Department of Lands)