Commonfund’s heritage can be found among the more than 3300 degree granting colleges and universities and the approximately 2000 independent schools in the U.S. We commenced operation in 1971 with 63 endowments as charter members and an initial investment of $72 million. Today Commonfund ranks among the top managers of endowment assets in the world serving the needs U.S. and Canadian educational institutions and including:
- Private colleges and universities
- Public universities and their supporting foundations
- Community colleges
- K-12 Independent schools
Leveraging our 38+ years of experience working with educational institutions, Commonfund understands the unique needs and challenges facing colleges, universities and independent schools better than most asset management firms. We work with clients across a range of mandates, from single asset classes or strategies to full investment outsourcing. And, fundamental to our mission and approach with endowments is to work with clients on matters such as:
- Board governance
- Investment policy (including asset allocation and spending policies)
- Risk management
We view these all as the building blocks for boards, committees and investment staff in the fulfillment of their fiduciary responsibilities.
As of March 31, 2010, Commonfund managed over $17 billion in assets for more than 900 educational endowments in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. But size alone does not adequately describe the breadth of our commitment to educational endowments. While we do business with 24 of the top 50 U.S. endowments, 36 percent of our endowment clients have assets of less than $25 million. Further, more than 300 endowments entrust Commonfund with the management of their entire investment portfolios. Overall, assets of our endowment clients range from under $1 million to $18 billion with clients in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Canada.
Commonfund provides a full array of investment and advisory services to educational institutions, including:
- Outsourced Solutions
- Alternatives
- Private Capital
We provide commingled funds and separate accounts for eligible investors across virtually all sectors of the capital markets.