NY's Fordham University Awards $500K Fund to Boost Women's Financial Education

• $500K investment fund fuels women’s financial education at Fordham University
• It will equip women with financial expertise through seminars, mentorships, and professional engagement
• The fund is an initiative designed to strengthen real-world financial competencies

Fordham University in New York introduces a $500,000 student-run investment fund, offering hands-on asset management training to women enrolled in its business programs starting this fall. The fund stems from a contribution to Fordham’s endowment by Mario Gabelli, founder and chairman of Gabelli Asset Management and a 1965 alumnus of the business school that now carries his name.

This semester, the Gabelli Center partnered with the university’s investment office to launch a $500,000 student-run fund, entrusted to the Fordham chapter of Smart Woman Securities (SWS), a club committed to developing female financial leaders through structured learning and professional engagement.

The Smart Woman Securities Value Fund, focused exclusively on equities, differs from the broader Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) program, which includes global equities, fixed income, and alternative assets and is tied to an academic course.

The new fund will be run independently through the SWS student organizations. By aligning with the Gabelli School’s academic concentration in value investing, the two funds offer students hands-on experience that enhances their financial acumen beyond the classroom.

Unveiled at a student-alumni networking event on April 1, the fund marks the latest addition to Fordham’s investment education platform. SMIF, established in 2010 which has been instrumental in propelling graduates into finance roles.

“We are so proud to launch the SWS investment fund, an incredible milestone for our chapter,” said Raimy Little, the club’s chief executive officer. “While other SWS chapters nationwide do have funds, the significance for the club at Fordham is profound.” According to her, the club plans to complete development of its internal training program this summer, targeting initial capital deployment before the close of the calendar year.