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Key Takeaways: 2026 Investment Stewardship Academy
The 2026 Investment Stewardship Academy, hosted by Commonfund Institute from June 7–10 on Yale University’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut, brought together institutional investors, foundation...
Higher Education Endowment Return Assumptions in a Changing Environment
Many colleges, universities, and nonprofit institutions built long-term endowment portfolios on assumptions about investment returns, donor giving, and federal support that once enabled confident... Learn More
Interval Funds and Semi-Liquid Structures: How Liquid Are They Really?
The case for interval funds and other semi-liquid vehicles is straightforward: access to private markets without a ten-year lockup, and the appeal of periodic liquidity. It's a compelling pitch. It...
Religious K-12 Schools: Endowment Trends and Performance
Earlier this year, Commonfund Institute released the 21st annual Commonfund Benchmarks Study of Independent Schools (“CSIS” or the “Study”), reporting on key investment governance trends and insights...
Endowment Performance & Practices of Carnegie-Classified Institutions
Earlier this year, Commonfund, in partnership with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), released the 2025 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE). The...
Principles of Investment Stewardship for Nonprofit Organizations
Explore essential investment stewardship principles for nonprofit organizations, focusing on the six principles for effective decision making.
Religious-Affiliated Higher Ed: Endowment Performance & Investment Practices
Earlier this year, Commonfund, in partnership with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), released the 2025 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE). The...
Performance and Practices of Smaller Institutions in the NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments
Earlier this year, Commonfund, in partnership with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), released the 2025 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE, or,...
AI in Venture Capital: Separating Hype from Opportunity
Join host Amanda Novello, Sr. Policy and Research Analyst, in this episode of "Espresso Chats," a series by the Commonfund Institute serving up strong, short shots of governance and leadership...
Market Insights: Record Highs and the Rise of Small and Mid-Caps
The S&P 500 closed at an all-time high, above 7,400, in early May 2026, up almost 8.5 percent year-to-date as of May 13th. But for the first time in several years, the headline index may not be the...
Endowment Spending: The Increasing Role in College Budgets
Studies over the years show operating budgets are claiming a greater share of annual endowment spending. Is the most recent jump an anomaly or the new normal?
Evolution of Educational Budgets Warrant Changes to the Higher Education Price Index
Commonfund’s Higher Education Price Index (HEPI), the premier inflation index for the education sector, is used by thousands of practitioners to ensure their budgeting processes account for real...
A Closer Look at Institutionally-Related Foundations’ Endowments
Earlier this year, Commonfund, in partnership with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), released the 2025 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE). The...
The Risks and Opportunities of the Influx of Retail Capital into Private Markets
For decades, private markets have delivered a meaningful premium over public equities, compensating investors for illiquidity and the patience required for long-term investing.
AI's Productivity Payoff Is Here