Commonfund Benchmarks Studies

We believe members of the nonprofit community should have easy access to authoritative investment research that allows for comparison and insight to benefit future policies and objectives. In order to reach this goal, we partner with various organizations to conduct comprehensive surveys of the financial, governance, and policy practices of nonprofit institutional investors across the U.S.

nonprofit-investing

Study of Independent Schools

In 2005, we partnered with the National Business Officers Association (NBOA) to create the Commonfund Benchmarks Study of Independent Schools (CSIS). This annual report studies an average of 200 independent day and boarding schools that represent over $12 billion in assets. Our study covers the following topics:

Returns and Investment objectives | Asset allocation | Investment policies | Fund flows | Responsible investing | Governance | Board diversity

Read an overview of the findings in the most recent press release.

Study of Private and Community Foundations

In 2012, Commonfund and the Council on Foundations combined studies to create the Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations® (CCSF). This study examines investment and governance policies and practices at more than 230 U.S. private and community foundations, representing over $80 billion in assets. The topics covered include:

Returns and Investment objectives | Asset allocation | Investment policies | Fund flows | Responsible investing | Governance | Board diversity

Read an overview of the findings in the most recent press release.