Frequently Asked Questions
The Trust Explained
Trust lands were granted at the time of statehood from Congress to the State of Utah on the express condition that they would be managed with undivided loyalty to the trust beneficiaries. Today there are 3.3 million surface acres and 4.5 million mineral acres of school and institutional trust lands throughout the state.
The Utah Enabling Act specifies certain beneficiaries for particular trust lands. The vast majority of trust lands are for the benefit of K-12 schools, trust lands also benefit specific universities, teachers’ colleges, youth services, and hospitals. View all Beneficiaries.
The school trust lands are scattered around the state, typically in square mile sections. Additionally, several larger blocks have been aggregated through land exchanges.
Under the Utah Enabling Act, Utah Constitution, and state code the beneficiaries are entitled to have the state perform all the fiduciary functions common to trusts:
- The Duty of Undivided Loyalty
- The Duty of Prudence (Duty of Care)
- The Duty to Make the Trust Productive
- The Duty of Preservation (Perpetuity)
- The Duty of Impartiality for Current and Future Beneficiaries
- The Duty of Accountability and Disclosure
Traditional revenue streams have included real estate development, oil & gas, minerals, agriculture, and other use permits or leases. Recently renewable energy development has been a growing source of revenue. In 2025 the Trust Lands Administration grossed $142 million.
SITFO, an independent agency governed by a board of investment professionals and chaired by the State Treasurer, invests the revenue generated from trust lands. The combined funds reached a value of $4.1 billion in 2025, with the school fund alone reaching $3.8 billion. Annual distributions to schools and the other institutions are calculated in a formula based on a 5% cap of each endowment.
The School Learning and Nurturing Development (LAND) Trust program is a program funded by Utah trust lands and provides millions of dollars to public K-12 schools. These funds support academic achievement for students across the state. School community councils determine how the funds will be used at each school based on USBE rules with oversight by local boards.
Each public school in Utah has an elected school community council, comprised of parents, teachers, and the principal. The councils make data-based decisions at their school on how to spend the year's trust lands distribution.
Distributions are made primarily based on student enrollment, with greater per-pupil allocation to rural areas. To view your schools plan and the amount of funds received, visit My Schools LAND Trust Plan. You may also contact your school to learn how to be involved in your School Community Council.