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Investment Strategy | Articles

Mind the Gap: The Strategic Risk of Skipping a Vintage in Private Equity

Private equity (inclusive of buyouts, growth equity, and venture capital) remains a compelling long-term asset class, but recent periods of muted distributions and below-average returns have created...

Perspectives | Press Releases

FY25 NACUBO-Commonfund Study Released

U.S. Higher Education Endowments Report Stable Returns, Increase Spending to $33.4 Billion in FY25 The NACUBO-Commonfund Study of 657 colleges and universities reports a 10-year average return of...

Investment Strategy | Videos

Understanding the Private Equity Secondaries Market

This Commonfund Institute Online video explores the evolving landscape of the private equity secondaries market, focusing on both Limited Partner (LP)- and General Partner (GP)-led transactions.

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Perspectives | Insights Blog

Community College Foundation Data Matters: CASE Takeaways

Takeaways from the CASE Conference for Community College Advancement
Investment Strategy | Insights Blog

Family Foundations Return 14.0%; Alternatives Allocations Shrink

The 2025 Council on Foundations–Commonfund Study shows double-digit returns across the board and a notable swing in how family foundations are positioned relative to their peers. The 2025 Council on...
Outsourced Cio | Press Releases

Commonfund OCIO Appoints Paula Robinson to Lead Public Equity Investment Programs

Appointment strengthens Commonfund OCIO's public equity investment capabilities and leadership team Norwalk, CT, October 14, 2026 – Commonfund OCIO, Commonfund’s Outsourced CIO solution for...
Mission-aligned Investing | Insights Blog

Climate Resilience Investing: Takeaways from Nest Climate Campus 2026

Climate resilience investing has moved from the margins to the center of the conversation. Climate Week discussions used to focus almost entirely on decarbonization pledges and green finance targets,...
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog

Governing Through Complexity: Takeaways from the FAOG Annual Conference

The Finance, Administration and Operations Group for Community Foundations (FAOG) 2026 Annual Conference, held in Salt Lake City from September 20-23, highlighted a fundamental shift in community...
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog

Investment Committee Governance: How to Steer, Not Manage

Process | Principle III | Principles of Investment Stewardship The word "governance" comes from a Greek term meaning "to steer." It's a fitting origin for investment committees, whose core...
Market Commentary | Articles

Beyond the Primary Commitment: Considering Private Market Secondaries

As private markets mature and liquidity needs evolve, secondaries have moved from an opportunistic trade to a standing allocation and an important portfolio construction tool for many institutional...
Governance And Policy | Insights Blog

Impact Investing vs. ESG: Defining Mission-Aligned Investing

Ask ten investment professionals what "mission-aligned investing" means and you are likely to get ten different answers. Some will say environmental, social and governance (ESG). Others will say...
Investment Strategy | Articles

The Endowment Model - Building Resilient Portfolios for an Enduring Mission

Drawn from the 2025 Council on Foundations–Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations® (CCSF) | Calendar Year 2025
Market Commentary | Insights Blog

The State as a Shareholder: Government Equity Stakes

The U.S. government has historically exerted its influence on private industry through several mechanisms including grants, loans, regulatory frameworks and tax incentives. Now seems to be the dawn...
Governance And Policy | Podcasts

AI Considerations in Portfolio Management: A CIO’s View

In this episode of Espresso Chats, Commonfund Institute's Amanda Novello, Associate Director, sits down with Julia Mord, Chief Investment Officer at Commonfund OCIO, to close out our AI investment...
Mission-aligned Investing | Insights Blog

Applying the Six Ps to Mission-Aligned Investing

The case for mission-aligned investing continues to grow stronger — not simply as an ethical stance, but as a matter of institutional coherence, stakeholder trust, and long-term risk management. For...