Brown University is listing 21 properties valued at over $30 million for sale or development, a surprising move for the Ivy League institution. The goal is to raise needed liquidity amid reported donor fund depletion, looming federal funding cuts, and recent borrowing.
GoLocal Providence uncovered the sale plan from an offering document produced by the university’s commercial real estate representative. Chief among the motivations is a sharp reversal: after purchasing roughly $100 million in real estate over 18 months, Brown is now divesting assets to bolster cash flow.
Public scrutiny escalated following accusations of antisemitism targeting Brown, which reportedly led to reduced major gifts. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has threatened to rescind over $500 million in federal funding, amplifying financial pressure.
The university also recently borrowed $300 million to address immediate funding gaps, signaling acute fiscal strain.
Brown’s endowment totals approximately $7 billion, contributing around $337.7 million (18%) to its operating budget. Despite its size, the endowment includes restrictions and cannot be repurposed to plug funding shortfalls. Budget projections for 2026 show a slight improvement, with revenues of $1.87 billion and expenditures at $1.9 billion, narrowing the deficit to $29 million compared to $46 million in 2025.
The property sell-off marks an aggressive liquidity strategy amid declining donor engagement, reduced federal revenues, and borrowing burdens. Conservative observers note this move as evidence of financial mismanagement and the consequences of politicized pressure on university funding.
Brown’s decision reflects broader trends among elite universities cutting real estate or private equity holdings to maintain fiscal health. Institutions like Yale and Harvard are also liquidating assets in response to tighter funding and regulatory scrutiny.
If proceeds from property sales fail to offset losses or reduce institutional risk, Brown may face further budget cuts, tuition increases, or programmatic downsizing. The sale could provide an immediate cash infusion, but critics argue the university’s accumulated real estate reflects misallocated capital during prior growth phases.
This development will test Brown’s ability to navigate financial adversity while maintaining its academic mission. The results may influence policy debates over public funding, donor accountability, and university real estate strategies across American higher education.
