2019 Beneficiary Report on Trust Lands & Funds

Message from the Director

More than 124 years ago, at statehood, lands were granted in trust for the benefit and support of several of the most important public purposes and institutions in the state of Utah. Expectedly, these values—public and higher education, mental and physical health, juvenile support and rehabilitation, institutes for the deaf and blind, water storage and sustainability, and housing government activities—persist among Utah’s primary commitments today. While the importance of these interests to the state of Utah has not changed, there are constant and evolving threats to the trust lands dedicated to supporting these purposes.

Download the 2019 Beneficiary Report on Trust Lands & Funds

The strongest voices in protecting, sustaining, and growing trust lands and trust funds are the voices of our school children, young adults seeking to better themselves and our State, and disadvantaged residents in need of varying types of support. These voices become more powerful when unified and organized. The Utah Land Trusts Protection & Advocacy Office (Protection & Advocacy Office) was established for this remarkable purpose – the unification and institutionalization of beneficial interests of the school and institutional trusts.

As a full-time advocate with undivided loyalty to trust beneficiaries, the Protection and Advocacy Office protects beneficiaries against any goal that is inconsistent with the inherent purposes of the trusts. The Protection & Advocacy Office is dedicated daily to protecting current and future beneficiary rights and interests by advocating for 1) productive use and optimization of revenue to all trust beneficiaries from school and institutional trust lands, and 2) prudent and profitable investment of trust funds.

The Protection & Advocacy Office has a focused approach toward promoting trust beneficiary interests by facilitating open communication among key individuals and organizations, advocating for legislative change that best serves the interests of the trust beneficiaries, and educating the public regarding the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands System.

We are pleased and honored for the opportunity to serve you, the beneficiaries of the Utah school and institutional trusts. Much has been written about the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA), and the Utah School and Institutional Trust Fund Office (SITFO), and their achievements are outstanding. The Protection & Advocacy Office completes the circle and early vision of the sponsors and creators of SITLA – a system of checks and balances surrounding undivided loyalty to current and future beneficiaries.

With the aid of the state treasurer and the Protection & Advocacy Committee, the Protection & Advocacy Office’s inaugural fiscal year (2019) was full of opportunities to achieve its purpose. We are committed to relentless advocacy and protection of the trusts’ beneficial interests, and we will continue developing an environment of cooperation by providing responsible, undivided advocacy for the preservation, stability and growth of the trust assets for years to come.

We hope you enjoy this annual report, and we look forward to the unlimited potential and future of the School and Institutional Trust System.