The University’s endowment grew to include significant asset holdings in Brazil over the past four years, financial disclosure documents show.

The endowment, which totals about $1.3 billion, includes $65 million in publicly traded Brazilian stocks as of June 2011 when the last fiscal year ended.

The growing South American country represents the endowment’s largest financial investment in a country outside the United States, Chief Investment Officer Don Lindsey said.

“While we take a very long-term view, this portfolio has performed considerably better than the U.S. equity market since inception,” Lindsey noted.

Funds were originally allocated to a Brazilian-based stock manager in 2007.

The University created Dynamo Brasil VII, an entity designed to carry out investment activity in Brazil, director of GW’s Tax, Payroll and Benefits Administration Department Jennifer Lopez said.

Dynamo Brasil had over $40 million in assets, according to the University’s most recent financial disclosure form.

“We believe Brazil will continue to offer excellent investment opportunities going forward,” Lindsey said.

He emphasized the country’s rapidly growing economy and shrinking unemployment rate.

“It is the seventh largest economy in the world and should become the fifth largest by 2030,” Lindsey said. “Brazil has experienced a tremendous growth in its middle class and this will continue to be a catalyst for economic growth as the population demands more goods and services.”