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How do Endowments Work? Common Misconceptions
In recent months, institutional endowments, particularly those within higher education, have been subject to heightened scrutiny. This attention has, at times, created tension and contributed to the...
Mission-Aligned Investing for Endowments & Foundations
Episode 11 In this episode of Commonfund Point of View, Julia Mord, Chief Investment Officer, is joined by Brian Cohen, Managing Director, and Caroline Greer, Managing Director, to unpack what it... Learn More
Philanthropy and Fundraising: Trends & Leadership Insights
At the 2026 Investment Stewardship Academy, held at Yale University this past June, three leaders in the philanthropic sector — Dr. Amir Pasic, Eugene R. Tempel Dean at Indiana University's Lilly...
Endowment Purpose and UPMIFA: What Nonprofit Boards Must Ask
Purpose | Principle I | Principles of Investment Stewardship The Question Every Endowment Fiduciary Should Be Asking For many nonprofit organizations, the endowment is the difference between...
AI is Steepening the Power Law in Venture Capital
AI is steepening the power law, concentrating venture returns even further and widening the gap between outlier companies and everyone else.
Summer Reading List 2026: 11 Books to Read This Season
Commonfund Institute is excited to share our Summer 2026 recommended reading list, thoughtfully curated with recommendations from our Commonfund colleagues. This edition spans financial history,...
Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Keys to Sustainable Investing
When investors think of climate-focused investment and sustainable investing generally, they often envision thematics such as renewable power, electrified transport, and industrial decarbonization,...
Fiscal Year-End and Mid-Year 2026 Market and Investment Review
Throughout Fiscal Year 2026, investors were forced to reconcile their enthusiasm for innovation in the technology sector with the constant overhang of geopolitical risks. Investments and advancements...
What is an OCIO?
An OCIO — short for Outsourced Chief Investment Officer — is a model in which an institution delegates its investment management function to a specialized third-party provider. Rather than managing...
The Shiny Tinfoil: Investing in AI with Eyes Wide Open
Join hosts George Suttles, Executive Director, and Amanda Novello, Associate Director, in this episode of Espresso Chats, a series by the Commonfund Institute serving up strong, short shots of...
The Case for the Seventh P: Progression in Nonprofit Investment Stewardship
At Commonfund Institute, we’ve long adhered to the six guiding principles of nonprofit investment stewardship, often referred to as the "6 Ps": Purpose, Policy, Process, Portfolio, People, and...
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 Price Index Forecast June 2026
According to Commonfund Institute's latest update, HEPI forecasts a 3.4 percent inflation rate for U.S. colleges and universities in fiscal year 2026. The latest forecast, based on data through June...
Building a Resilient Portfolio: Navigating Demographic Shifts and AI-Driven Productivity